Gear Hunter

The Maag audio PREQ2-500 is a single channel, 500-series version mic preamp with the same circuit topology and sound as their top-of-the line Maag audio preq2 dual-channel strip with Air Band®.

ThePREQ2-500has a total of 71 dB of class-a gain that starts with the same Maag audio-built nickel-core input transformer as the 1u dual channel PREQ2. Just like the PREQ2 dual channel strip, it includes a front panel 1/4" (1-meg-ohm) instrument input jack that when used, automatically routes its signal to the input transformer and also disconnects the 48-volt phantom power if already turned on.

The front panel continues with a 1/4" thru/output jack that provides an unbalanced, isolated and boosted "duplicate" of either the low impedance microphone or the instrument inputs. The thru/output signal is capable of driving a long line out to guitar amps in the studio and/or effects pedals effectively and without quality loss. Great for creating unique effects, you may "re-amp" and externally process either the low impedance microphone input signal or any instrument directly connected to the PREQ2's front panel 1/4" input jack.

The PREQ2-500 has an equivalent input noise (ein) level of -128dbu, +25dbu of headroom, plus the acclaimed Air Band® eq with up to 9 dB of boost at your choice of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40-khz frequencies.

Microphone gain is continuously variable using a single, large control knob that is switchable between two gain ranges of either +20 dB to +42 dB for most recordings or +42 dB to +71 dB using the +25db boost button. This higher microphone gain is noise-free and perfect for very quiet sources like foley/sound effects or low output, old vintage mics.

The compact front panel finishes with push-button switches for +48-volt phantom power on/off, -20db attenuation pad, a 70hz, 2nd order 12 dB/oct high pass filter, phase or polarity reverse, and Air Band® eq on/off.

Features

* Convenient front panel 1/4" instrument input and instrument/microphone thru output
* Discrete class-a transformer-coupled preamp with reamplification capabilities
* 71db of gain available, making it optimal for multiple instruments and ribbon mics

Specifications

- Max gain 71 dB
- Noise level at the lowest gain setting is -100 dB. ein is -128 dB
- The microphone transformer feeds a differential set of front-end class a discrete transistors paired with a fet input operational amplifier
- High and low gain push button switch. low range: +20 dB to +42 dB. high range (gain +25 switch with green led): +42 dB to +71 dB. switchable -20 dB pad
- +48-volt phantom power, switchable, with red led. phase reversal switch: switches the phase of the balanced output
- Green signal present led, red peak led lights at +25 dB