Black Box Analog Design Prototype Preamp 2000s - Black

This is a one-of-a-kind prototype that was never commercially available. I bought this in 2016 from a large used gear dealer that acquired all of producer’s outboard gear. In 2017, I sent it to Robert Wainscott, the builder and co-owner of BBA, for some TLC. He couldn’t believe that I had the unit. He got it back into working order and explained what I had. This unit has features that their commercial preamps don’t.

1. This is the true precursor to the HG-2 except in mono preamp form. It is a big, 3 rack unit preamp and instrument DI.

2. It features two input transformers that are selectable via the front panel‘s impedance switch. This is a cool tone shaping feature exclusive to this unit. See the internal pics.

3. The front panel features BBA’s pentode and triode blending options and standard phantom power and polarity switches.

4. The front panel also features a gain boost switch and a tone boost via a push/pull knob that allows users to dial in their desired tone.

5. It also has a 4-position bass cut/high-pass switch.

6. lastly, it has a 1/4 inch DI for instruments. It is activated by plugging in. You need not use the switch above the DI.

The unit is in amazing shape. It has very minor signs of rack wear (see pictures). It also has some spot painting (very minimal) by Robert Wainscott when he went through the unit and reassigned some switch names.

It sounds incredible. I’ve kept it in my rack in a climate controlled and smoke free studio. I don’t want to part with it, but I need to free up some funds.

This unit has wonderful features and sounds glorious. Pushing the pentode mode, at least to my ears, gently compresses source material like a very subtle optical compressor.

Let me know if you have questions about this one-of-a-kind box.