Model 286A

Two Huge Channels of Sweet Harmonic Tube Gain

From beautiful glowing vocals, natural acoustics and punchy drums to overdriven and saturated classic tube warmth, the dual channel 286A preamplifier offers a huge sonic palette for engineers and producers to explore. Its single-ended Class A tube signal path is what makes this preamplifier so special. Inspired by the great vintage Ampex 601 vacuum tube tape recorder, the 286A features two tubes per channel, one EF806 and one 12AY7. This unit employs a few modifications to allow for a cleaner sound than the original Ampex 601 circuit, gaining headroom and better frequency and transient response. The 286A can sound clean and natural with gentle even-order harmonics for a smooth, sweet touch. Get more aggressive with the "Gain" knob and drive the first 12AY7 stage for a warm and colored thickening effect. Go all-out and slam the final 12AY7 stage and output transformer through the "Level" knob for a fully-driven, saturated tube amp sound! Clean and natural to overdriven and fuzzy warm, it's your choice! Along with its classic tube gain stages, the 286A has been given the modern front panel features that allow for flexible interfacing with today's studio equipment.

Features

- Microphone and high impedance instrument inputs
- One EF86 & one 12AY7 per channel
- Polarity reverse switch
- 20dB pad switch
- 100 Hz low cut filter switch
- Microphone load impedance switch
- Mic/DI selection switch
- +48v phantom power switch
- 3-position VU meter switch: CH1 - Off - CH2
- Custom Sifam backlit VU meter
- XLR input and output connections
- Cinemag input and output transformers
- High-grade Solen capacitors in signal path
- Hand-built in USA with classic turret board technique
- Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis
- 115v/230v AC mains option on rear
- Backed by 2-year limited warranty parts and labor

Specifications

- Microphone input load impedance: 500Ω or 1800Ω
- Output impedance: 300Ω
- 1/4" DI impedance: 169kΩ
- 72dB of gain
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Maximum 20Hz & 1kHz input level for 1% THD: -18dBu (+2 dBu with Pad)
- Maximum output level: +24dBu
- THD+N: <1%
- S/N ratio: >70dB
- Dimensions: 19"w x 3.5"h x 10"d (2u rackspace)
- Shipping Weight: 18 lbs.
- Power Consumption (120/240VAC): 25 watts