Chandler Limited Germanium Preamp/DI

The Chandler Limited is a two channel microphone preamplifier, modeled after the preamps from a Quad Eight console from the early 1970's. It's a simple device with a great sound. It's got XLR inputs and outputs in the back for each of the two channels and has 1/4" inputs in the front for going direct. It is rackable and only takes up a single space.


UTILIZATION

It's super easy to use the Chandler Limited . Each channel has a knob for gain control and buttons for 48 volt phantom power, a pad, and phase reverse. The pad is at -20 db. No need for the manual since it's so simple.


SOUND QUALITY

The studio of the Chandler Limited is nothing less than outstanding! I've had the pleasure of using some real Quad Eight preamps from an old console and have to say that I think they did a great job of emulating this kind of sound and then some. To me it's got even more depth than the Quad Eights that I've used before and is nice and punchy. It's good for all sorts of applications including on drum overheads, vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, and pretty much anything else when used in the right situation.


OVERALL OPINION

Chandler Limited is truly a special set of preamps. Even if you don't know anything about Quad Eight, as most really don't, Chandler stands on it's own as a set of world class mic preamps for all applications. They're versatile and simply sound great. I'd only used this for the first time recently and it's definitely my new favorite set of preamps. The price is about right for two preamps of this quality, as Chandler is right around $2000 (US) new, which of course doesn't make it cheap. Still, Pacifica is a beautiful front end piece for any studio, especially in a home environment where you'd want to take your studio to the next level.

The Chandler Limited Germanium is a single channel microphone preamplifier and a direct input box. It has both XLR microphone inputs and outputs and 1/4 inch input to plug your instrument directly into. It is a rackable unit and it will take up a single rack space.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration of the Germanium preamp is easy to follow, and is just about as simple as you can get with a preamplifier. You've got your leveling knobs, and then buttons for a pad and phantom power. It also has a switchable VU meter for monitoring different things. The metering is LED based and quite helpful. I never needed the manual, so I can't speak to how helpful it is or not.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality of the Chandler Limited Germanium is the clean and warm signal gotten with this. It always reproduces my microphones faithfully and will do so with an extremely warm sound, although I wouldn't say that this colors the sound. It has a full tone and definitley has a vintage sound to it. I have used this preamp on all types of instruments, including guitar, vocals and drums, and also use the direct input for recording bass guitar. This preamp is top notch and will sound good when recording just about anything.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Chandler Limited Germanium preamp for two years and it has become one of my go to preamps when I have access to it. As far as high end quality mic preamps go, this is just as good as just about any preamp out there. The price tag definitley reflects this, as it is not cheap, but is what you will have to pay if you want a high quality piece of gear like this. Compared to some other preamps, this is actually pretty reasonable and if you are looking for a single channel high end preamp, I would definitely advise to check this out!

Microphone Preamp and DI germanium transistor analog (as the name implies).
XLR input (mic) and Jack (TD). Output XLR (line).

UTILIZATION

Super easy to use.
48vlts / Phase / Pad / Thick (kind of bass boost) / Drive / Feedback
Combining all this gives a broad palette of sounds.

SOUND QUALITY

I tried everything ... and I never heard a sound like that SM58!
Perfect with my AEA R92.
The part ID is really beautiful guitar, bass, synth ... everything goes.
The dynamic is monstrous (+35 db) and bandwidth is very broad.
Attention big sound but not vintage lo-fi provided.

OVERALL OPINION

I test this machine and I intend to keep it.
We have an introductory offer (like free power supply) should benefit.
I try a lot of stuff (Fearn, Avalon, Focusrite, short of expensive ...) but this is a vamp!
The price is reasonable for a machine of this quality ... Only the power supply is of great art.

It is a single transistor preamp (there is also an entry ID)
controls are the input gain and feedback, which is the output volume but it also colors the sound (it's not super practical as it is the same button for both functions but hey we cope)

There is a pad (something like-15dB) and a button "thick" which increases the frequency sensibilté serious preamp.

UTILIZATION

...

SOUND QUALITY

It's really great.
on the other hand is not transparent at all so it depends on taste and sound sources.

I do not recommend having germanium as your only preamp.
For example, I have a TPA-200b summit of audio which is really transparent and germanium. I like that each time a choice if I want to sound rather then of colored lens or according to what I want to take issue.

The sound of the germanium is warm, I would say "vintage".
I use a micro Soundelux U195 and it works very well.
I must admit that I used even more as the Summit TPA-200B (although it costs around 2500 euros, stereo), especially for vocals and acoustic guitars.

Here, therefore I love
By PS I try to go against when samples in (since my sampler, it sounds orchestral instruments, percussion, scratching) or when a virtual guitar amp and Vox Tonelab as well , it works poorly. For this application I feel that a transparent preamp works best.

OVERALL OPINION

In conclusion, I think it's an excellent preamp!
in combination to have another more neutral preamp.

But remember that this is a preamp so some unusual not like at all.
Also, there are combinations of mic / preamp that work better than others so obviously my opinion only reflects my own experience (the U195)