FMR RNP8380 Really Nice Preamp 2-Channel Stereo Microphone Preamplifier

The RNP is a pair of separate micpres providing up to 66dB of gain at vanishing low distortion levels in a compact 1/3 rack format. The RNP possesses all the features you'd expect from a professional preamp: accurate signal metering, 1M? input impedance DI inputs, high input level capability (up to +28dBu input), high-capacity phantom power supply, sealed relay switching for invert/phantom functions, gold-plated 12-position gain switch, TRS insert between preamp stage and output driver, +28dBu TRS-balanced outputs, 5k? differential input impedance on mic input, plus features like output muting during phantom engage/disengage and battery or AC mains operation.

Features:

• Two-channel micpre in 1/3 rack size
• Pristine Class-A, very low distortion performance (<0.0005%@+10dBu input).
• Pad-less operation up to +28dBu XLR input levels.
• Maximum output level of +28dBu.
• Innovative circuit design.
• Accurate and repeatable gain switch
• Accurate signal level metering.
• Front-panel unbalanced DI high impedance (>1M Ohm) instrument input on each micpre.
• TRS insert jacks facilitate easy patching of external effects w/o interrupting the output connection.
• Balanced input and output.
• Rack-mountable.

How It Sounds
The RNP was designed with sonic neutrality in mind without sounding "clinical" or sterile. There's very little coloration-no unexpected frequency response peaks and valleys-across the very wide frequency response (125kHz) at every gain setting. Particularly, there's no variation in the preamp's low frequency response as a function of gain setting. Basically, what you put into the RNP you get out with very little additional effect.

How It's Done
Modern opamps-little miracles of the semiconductor age-make the design of decent-sounding preamps up to 50dB, or so, an almost trivial exercise. It's the last 10 to 15dB that really uncovers the flaws in amplifier design. The RNP's design uses a unique configuration that permits Class-A operation of a discrete transistor pair that almost completely erases the non-linear effects of Vbe and emitter bulk resistance that dog traditional preamp circuits. Additionally, special circuitry constantly measures and adjusts circuit parameters to eliminate gain-control path capacitors and avoids costly individual-trimming to achieve low-distortion, high-CMRR performance required in commercial audio settings over the life of the preamp!