SPL Crescendo: new 120V 8-channel mic preamp
Posted on: Friday 19th of October 2018
SPL of Germany is now shipping the new Crescendo 8-channel microphone preamplifier, which operates with an internal operating voltage of 120 V. It has a discrete construction with proprietary high-voltage amplifiers, SPL’s own SUPRA operational amplifiers, and an internal operating voltage of +/- 60V.
With 120V total internal voltage, a technology similar to SPL’s IRON Mastering Compressor, it’s “virtually impossible to overdrive the preamps”, SPL says. The input differential amplifiers of the Crescendo are made with transistor pairs, each combined in a separate housing. Precise component matching of the transistors and thermal coupling are implemented with the goal of high common-mode rejection and lowest possible THD (total harmonic distortion) values, according to SPL.
The discrete op-amps of the output stage have no problems driving long cable runs, SPL says. Meanwhile, the output stages work as current amplifiers with more than 6mA quiescent current on tap in pure Class-A operation. SPL dispensed with coupling capacitors in this fully-balanced design, to avoid their sonic disadvantages (lower dynamic range). SPL also employed active servo circuits in place of DC components for improved sound quality.
Each of the eight preamp sections of the SPL Crescendo has individual controls and VU meter, as well as a phase reversal switch, phantom power, a -20dB PAD switch, and a switch for the VU meter level (VU -10).
The SPL Crescendo is available now with a suggested retail price of €4,999, $6,499.
