The Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp is all about accuracy and detail. While musical and gleaming with life, the Earlybird provides a pure tonal that lets the microphone and sound source speak for itself (just with a little help and amplification).
The Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp contains 4 channels of extremely high quality valve pre-amplification. Originally made in black in 1999, this is a special “revival” limited edition in red (limited to 49 only). As the individual channel circuitry in this version of the Earlybird has been simplified in order to provide 4 channels in one 19” unit, so the individual channel specifications have risen. Thus making this the most natural sounding, high quality version of the Earlybird preamp to date. Effectively giving the user the cleanest possible valve gain with a range from 3dB to 62dB and a switchable input impedance to help in matching the unit with different microphones. This is one of Thermionic Culture’s all handwired products with point to point wiring throughout. The circuit design utilises a ‘push pull’ ‘class A’ type of valve amplification in order to provide ultimately clean gain, giving the lowest noise and distortion figures possible in a microphone amplifier.
The input and output transformers have received special attention and by working together with Sowter transformers, designs have been created that bring better results than ever before. The lowest phase shift and highest headroom are both benefits brought by these designs. It’s unusual to hear a mic amp with the Earlybird 4’s qualities and after years of improvements Vic Keary proudly declares this “The best, most real mic. amp ever ”. Hopefully that on hearing the unit’s beautiful results yourself, you will agree with Vic. The pair of VU meters show the signal levels for 2 selectable channels. VU meter A is switchable between channels 1 and 3. VU meter B is switchable between channels 2 or 4. 4 red LEDs light up when the output of the amplifiers exceeds +10 dBm, though don’t worry – there’s still 20dB of headroom left in the Earlybird!
Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp Features
- 4 Channels of extremely high quality push pull' 'class A' type of valve pre amplification.
- Clean gain, giving the lowest noise and distortion figures possible in a mic. Amp.
- Hand wired with point to point wiring throughout.
- Lowest phase shift and highest headroom.
- Controls on each channel
- Switchable input impedance to help in matching the unit with different microphones.
- Switchable 48V phantom power .
- Switched gain 42 dB to 62 dB, 20dB pad.
- 2 position high pass filter.
- Variable output trim with phase inverter.
- Vu meters switchable between channels.
- Peak overload indicators.
Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp Specifications
- Input impedance: 300 Ω or 1200 Ω, switchable,balanced. With Pad in:2kΩ
- Output impedance:
- (a) Output level control at max 500 Ω balanced
- (b) Output level control at min 55Ω balanced
- Maximum gain: 62-64dB
- Maximum output level (MOL): +34dBm
- Distortion (THD) @
- 1kHz/100Hz, unweighted, at 40dB gain = 0.0035% / 0.008%
- Frequency response: ±0.5dB at 40dB gain setting >10Hz to<35kHz
- Gain settings (dB) Mic: 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60dB
- High pass filter (Hz): 50 & 100Hz
- Output trim: -17dB to +2dB reverse linear attenuator
- Input and output connectors: 4 x 3 pin XLRs, wired balanced
- Valve complement: 4x12AX7LPS/ECC803/7025 - 4x6189/ECC82
- Pilot light bulb: 12V/3W
- Fuses 115V: T1 A
- 230V: T500mA
Thermionic Culture Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp Includes
- Earlybird 4 Microphone Preamp
- Power Cable
- Manual and Warranty Information
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