SPL GainStation 1 Class A & Tube Microphone and Instrument Preamplifier

*Special Order

“The Gain Station combines a truly excellent microphone preamplifier with a musically sensitive tube stage, a high-impedance DI box and a very sophisticated limiter. It also has enough headroom to handle virtually any input or to drive any other piece of equipment without straining.” – Sound On Sound

“The GainStation 1’s solid-state and tube preamps sound very different from one another, empowering the user to sculpt a variety of hybrid tones. Combine that with the unit’s insane amount of gain and generous allotment of bells and whistles, and you’ve got a winner!” – Mix

Discrete high-end preamplifier that combines Class-A clean gain with high-sounding tube gain and operates with an operating voltage of 60 V

Class-A meets Tube

The GainStation 1 is a hybrid preamplifier consisting of a discrete Class A transistor stage and tube stage. The hybrid design of the preamplifier combines the advantages of semiconductors (high dynamics with low distortion, low noise) with the musical qualities of tube sound (pleasant high/overtone spectrum, beautiful three-dimensionality).

The Class A transistor preamplifier is based on our DMPA operational amplifiers, which operate with an operating voltage of +/- 30 V.

The preamplifier has a Butterworth Hi Pass filter, polarity inversion, impedance selection, 48 V phantom power and a limiter.

Clean Gain

The Clean Gain stage is a balanced instrumentation amplifier built with our DMPAs (Discrete Mic Pre Amp, 60 Volt rail).

In Class A mode, both end transistors always remain in a conducting state, thus avoiding crossover distortion.

With a slew rate of over 100 V/µs, it is capable of amplifying even fast details and high frequencies cleanly and with low distortion.

Tube Gain

The tube gain stage is equipped with a 12 AX 7 LPS. It impresses with good noise figures and an open and clear sound image.

As decoupling capacitor a WIMA MKP type is used, which is very generously dimensioned with 2.2 µF, in order to work clean and powerful also in the bass range.

* A “Special Order” is a product that we normally do not keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We are the exclusive distributor for SPL, so we can get your special order to you fast, in about 1-2 weeks. Remember that special orders are non-cancelable, so make sure the item you are ordering is correct. Call us at +65 63388657 if you need assistance.