Two-channel tube preamp, (but I wonder if we should not rather be classified as hybrids in all the lights ... in short) 1U rackmount with a setting for each channel gain from 0dB to 48dB and a boost of 20dB, a level of impedance from 150 ohms to 3 kOhm, an adjustable output level, a phantom power, phase reverse and 16 voicing lamp. It has analog outputs, but also to digital S / PDIF or ADAT in coax or optical (optical adat, and you can choose your output torque among the 8 format, coax or optical S / PDIF )

No pad or low-cut.

UTILIZATION

The config is simple yes, when you get to have the symmetry of the buttons, I bought used and no manual, I do not need to use it, make the I turn and uses optical S / PDIF without too much hassle having to synchronize at all for the preamp and my card. (But I'm not a novice in this area, but once you know what a clock, a master and a slave, a resolution and a sampling frequency roll my chicken.)

SOUND QUALITY

The sound mouais bof bof. It's better than some entry-level table (Berhinger yamaha alto and co) and some sound card, but not all good TFW for sound cards. I wonder if the preamp of my FA-101 are of similar quality (although a grain quite different).

The overall sound is a bit rikiki, especially compared to my or my SPL Goldmike Quad Mic RME, it lacks some dynamics, transients sounded a bit "dirty" etc ... m'enfin rédibitoire nothing either. The voicing typed bass or guitar hurt my ears because they amplify the treble crudely, the preset keyboard and piano sound a little metallic and nasal, well, it remains the preset "Voice" and especially the Flat I will not leave not soon ... The color of lamp is a little overrated, there is heat if you like, then there are mostly lower midrange actually, but it lacks a lot of precision, responsiveness and smoothness.

If you buy it new ... Yeah good save 100 € more to offer you a Glodmike Mk1 is the day and night.
I bought it used € 130, I think it's more the price for this preamp, ADCs are not too bad but good, not ecstatic either. We will say that I am a bargain considering this conversion stage.

OVERALL OPINION

We feel that this preamp is the top of a mark a little "discount", and not the bottom of a quality mark. In nine, there are just 100 € with a difference SPL Goldmike and frankly it is far above the ART.
I took this preamp to take advantage of two digital S / PDIF to my sound card when I have to save more than 10 simultaneous sources. I think I would use most frequently online for the keyboard to output line bass amplifier for example, limit a tom drum that would not have its channel ...

For 130 € I am totally satisfied, for the price of nine I was pretty disappointed ...