Summit TPA200B

The Summit TPA200B is a dual channel microphone preamp that is tube based and is made of all analog parts.  It has XLR connections in the back and also has 1/4 inch Hi-Z inputs for plugging your instrument directly into this.  This is indeed a rack mountable piece of gear and will take up two rack spaces.

UTILIZATION

The configuration of the Summit TPA200B is pretty basic as far as mic pres go as it has pretty much all standard parameters.  Each channel has knobs for input and output gain, and then has switches for either line or mic input, a pad that can be switched to either -15 db or -25 db and a phase switch.  There is also a switch for phantom power that will engage phantom power on both of the channels.  This is a pretty basic set up and I don't think that anyone who has experience with mic pres needs a manual or will have any trouble at all using this.


SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the mic pres on the Summit TPA200B are pretty incredible.  The clarity and depth that can be achieved with this is outstanding as this is one of the better mic pres that I have used outside of a console.  It is great two have two channels of such a high end pre in the same unit as it allows me to do some great stereo recordings within a single unit.  The pre accurately portrays the signal that you send to it and won't color it other than the natural sound that you give it.  This is definitely an overall top notch sounding microphone preamp that is as good as just about any that I have used before in its own way.


OVERALL OPINION

While the price of the Summit TPA200B is quite high, if you are looking for great tone without having to consider price, this is an excellent choice.  I believe that it is a great unit for just about anybody looking for a dual channel high end mic pre and understand that this is the price that you will pay for a great pre like this one.  If you are a home studio looking for a single unit that will help out your recording quality a great deal, the Summit TPA200B is a great investment and is something that should absolutely be tried out.

This is a hybrid preamp bouble very good. Hybrid means that half work with lamps, with half of the transistors.
Connections: 2 XLR mic in, 2 XLR line out, 2 balanced line jacks in, two asymmetric jacks (front) instrument inputs. Everyone +4 dB.

It comes in a 3U rack, beautiful brushed metal, vintage big pots very practical and accurate. The commutatuers (pads, phase, 48v, mic / line) are large sturdy metal pins.

UTILIZATION

Very simple: it returns: knob input, it comes out: knob output.
Is there a led to indicate that saturates the lamp (yellow LED) or outright that the overload (red LED). This is very useful, saturation of the lamp is very pretty (even voices) is not taken during the play (by turning the input knob while taking), for against the overload should be avoided!

No man, not worth it.

SOUND QUALITY

Great sound, with line input that adds heat (nice low acute exact), with a microphone (I use it with 367 Neuman, Melodium ribbon, M160, neuman ... 85i) is exceptional! No complaints, it can be transparent if we put too much input, and more and more colorful when you "fit" in the lamp, see saturated if abused. Very versatile! The instrument input is nice, but for a guitar, it's not worth a good Fender amp head.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years, no complaints, except that the power supply is switchable phantom 48 on two channels indifferently. Not possible to use a condenser mic and a tape at the same time, for example (the first requires 48v, the latter should certainly not receive ...)
The channel 2 has knob disconnect (knob fixation on the axis is a bit light for my taste)

very good buy, good quality / price ratio

See above.
A 9 / 10 actually common for the 48v 2-way

Small precision is a 2U rack!

UTILIZATION

Big buttons, good sturdy switch well.
Turn the gain knob to attack the lamp is a vritable fun!

SOUND QUALITY

Bah say anything it's just excellent!

OVERALL OPINION

I have over 2 years and I must admit that I used more and more! It has everything, clarity and warmth, desire drive according to the will using the input gain, and as mentioned above, the OD is much enjoyable as it is in the red saturation. ... bin should not be allre what!
Regarding the price quality ratio, also on the price o is found because it is much more expensive in Europe and the United States, but let's say in the price range of Tube Tech and Avalon, I place well above the level quality sound, while as a matter of got!
Frankly, I see a Fearn VT2 to compete!

...

UTILIZATION

It's really simple, two pots per channel.

SOUND QUALITY

Superb sound quality, its warm, clear and transparent (no color).
The summit compress slightly if I'm not mistaken even if they do not say, but there's really no reason to complain, the result is nikel.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had a good month, I am very happy.
During my research I was hesitant to lean towards a relatively unknown product (compared to Avalon, Universal Audio, Tubetech, ect ... with all the forums are full) but
as I was looking for a versatile preamp level (and therefore quite transparent while improving the sound) I ended up buying one. Subsequently several inge-sound pro confirmed to me that this was an excellent choice.
That he has left and beautiful and if you come across a store that makes you a prize (2300 euros Pigalle but I do all the stores to finally find that price) and of the report price / quality seems very good knowing that it is a two channels and can
everything that is connected instrumentals, microphone, line.

I dare not put ten because it is the only preamp that I actually own (even though I checked with bcp musicians, vendors, and suddenly ingesons took advantage of their experiences) so no real comparison.