Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp

Locomotive Audio

(No reviews yet) Write a Review
Product Code: 1408
No Longer Available

Sorry but this item is no longer available. But no worries, just contact the Front End Audio sales team at 888-228-4530 and we will be happy to find you an alternative product that will meet your needs.

Got Questions? Need Support?

888-228-4530 Contact Us!

The Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp offers two huge channels of sweet & harmonic tube preamp gain. This is the unmistakable vintage sound of tubes & transformers!

From beautiful glowing vocals, natural acoustics and punchy drums to overdriven and saturated classic tube warmth, the two channel 286A preamplifier offers a huge sonic palette for engineers and producers to explore.

The Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp offers a huge sonic palette for engineers and producers to explore. Its single-ended Class A tube signal path is what makes this preamplifier so special. Inspired by the great vintage Ampex 601 vacuum tube tape recorder, the 286A features four tubes; there is one EF86 and one 12AY7 per channel. The 286A can play nice by acting clean and natural with gentle even-order harmonics for a smooth, sweet touch. Get more aggressive with the “Gain” knob and drive the first 12AY7 stage for a warm and colored thickening effect. Go all-out and slam the final 12AY7 stage and output transformer through the “Level” knob for a fully-driven, saturated tube amp sound! Clean and natural to overdriven and fuzzy warm; your choice!

Along with its classic tube gain stages, the 286A has been given the modern front panel features that allow for flexible interfacing with today’s studio equipment.

Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp Features

  • Microphone and high impedance instrument inputs
  • One EF86 & one 12AY7 per channel
  • Polarity reverse switch
  • 20dB pad switch
  • 100 Hz low cut filter switch
  • Microphone load impedance switch
  • Mic/DI selection switch
  • +48v phantom power switch
  • 3-position VU meter switch: CH1 - Off - CH2
  • Custom Sifam backlit VU meter
  • XLR input and output connections
  • Cinemag input and output transformers
  • High-grade Solen capacitors in signal path
  • Hand-built in USA
  • Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis
  • 115v/230v AC mains option on rear

Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp Specifications

  • Microphone input load impedance: 500Ω or 1800Ω
  • Output impedance: 300Ω
  • 1/4" DI impedance: 169kΩ
  • 72dB of gain
  • Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Maximum 20Hz & 1kHz input level for 1% THD: -18dBu (+2 dBu with Pad)
  • Maximum output level: +24dBu
  • THD+N: <1%
  • S/N ratio: >70dB
  • Dimensions: 19"w x 3.5"h x 10"d (2u rackspace)
  • Shipping Weight: 18 lbs.
  • Power Consumption (120/240VAC): 25 watts

Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp Includes

  • 286A Preamp
  • User Manual
  • IEC Power Cord
  • Lifetime warranty parts and labor

No review yet, Be first to Write a Review


What We Think

avatar

Oh the Locomotive Audio 286A Preamp, what can I say? One thing you will never think, is that this preamp lack detail. Now that isn't to say it is bright, it just maintains a nice presence. But, when you are talking an input transformer, two tube gain stages back to back, and then an output transformer...... you are talking about some serious mojo. A serious mojo is what this box has. It is rich and creamy, and when it breaks up or distorts (if you like pushing preamps like I do), it sounds sexy. Dimension, depth, saturation, and vibey life is what this box is all about. The Locomotive Audio 286A instantly became one of my favorite preamps.

Ryan Ferris, Pro Audio Sales

Got questions? Call me at 1-888-228-4530 I'm here to help!

OVERSIZED & HEAVY

OVERSIZED & HEAVY!

This Oversized & Heavy special order item may require additional shipping and cannot be canceled or returned.

This is a special order item that is considered oversized and heavy by all shipping carriers and will most likely be delivered via a freight truck.

Due to the item’s size and weight, additional shipping may have to be collected and once ordered cannot be canceled or returned. We will contact you if the final shipping quote differs from the shipping estimate provided at checkout. This item will ship as quickly as possible but there may be a lead time.

Please contact us for further information or for a more detailed shipping timeframe and cost.

Qualifies for Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING!

On Orders over $99 in Lower 48 States

Shipping is expensive thats why Front End Audio has made it easy for you to ship your orders for free. Qualified orders of $99 or more enjoy free shipping in the lower 48. It doesnt get much easier that that!

There are some exclusions so check out our Shipping Policy page in the Customer Service section at the bottom of the page.

Tax Free Shopping

TAX FREE SHOPPING

Enjoy Tax Free Shopping outside of SC.

If you are ordering from outside the state of South Carolina - congratulations! Front End Audio does not collect sales tax for purchases made outside of SC. In all other states, you are responsible for your own taxes.

Financing

Financing

Financing

Financing

LifeTime Support

LIFETIME SUPPORT

We stand behind our customers!

Plain and simple, if you purchased a products from Front End Audio then our staff will always be here to give you support. From techincal and application questions to good ol' advice, we have you covered.

30 Day Returns

30 DAY RETURNS

Hassle free returns, easy and convenient.

Our return policy is simple. If you don't like your item for any reason, contact us within 30 days of receipt and we will authorize you a return authorization number no questions asked! There are a few exclusion so check out our Returns Policy page located in the Customer Service section at the bottom of the page.

EASY FINANCING

EASY FINANCING

Easy and convenient financing designed for you!

We here at Front End Audio know exactly what it's like to be working with a budget while making gear purchases. Therefore we have been working to make a variety of attractive and convenient financing options available to you. Whether financing your gear is for business or pleasure, optional or a necessity, Front End Audio has a financing plan that will work with your needs. Simply checkout the Financing page located in the Resources section at the bottom of the page.

Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING!

On Orders over $99 in Lower 48 States

Shipping is expensive thats why Front End Audio has made it easy for you to ship your orders for free. Qualified orders of $99 or more enjoy free shipping in the lower 48.! It doesnt get much easier that that!

There are some exclusions so check out our Shipping Policy page in the Customer Service section at the bottom of the page.

Special Order Item

SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS CANNOT BE CANCELLED OR RETURNED

Special Order items are typically ordered in directly from the manufacturer so there may be a lead time. Rest assured that we will ship this item as quickly as possible. If you have a deadline or timeframe questions then please contact us before placing the order so we can make sure that we can meet your expectations.

Digital Delivery

LICENSE WILL BE EMAILED WITHIN 24 HOURS

This product is delivered electronically within 24 hours. However, if you're ordering after 6PM EST weekdays or on weekends, we'll process your order the next business day.

When purchasing electronic licenses or software it is your responsibility to make sure that your computer system meets and or exceed the required specification to install, run and operate the software. Electronic licenses are not returnable for any reason.

Authorized Dealer

AUTHORIZED DEALER

Piece of mind, support beyond your purchase!

Front End Audio is an authorized dealer for all the product lines we sell. What that means for you is that anything purchased through Front End Audio is guaranteed 100% authentic gear and carries a full manufacturer’s warranty.

Product Question

!