Topic: OMNITRONIC LH-051: another 2x P48 supply

[sunjan]

Just spotted this. Anyone familiar with Omnitronic?

http://cms.omnitronic.de/index.php?option=com_article_view&article=10355051&wgtree=A7013000

Selling for about $56 on German Ebay. An alternative for Euro tapers that can't get hold of US gear like PS2 or ART Phantom II?

    * Phantom power supply for condenser or electret microphones
    * Selectable +12/ +48 V power supply
    * Inputs and outputs via balanced XLR connectors
    * Operation via 2x 9 V block battery or power unit (not included)

Power supply:   12 V DC or 2x 9 V block
Input impedance:   600 ohms
Output impedance:   600 ohms
Output voltage:   +12 V/ +48 V DC, ±2 V DC
Dimensions:   143 x 93 x 45 mm
Weight:   485 g



Same company also makes a mic preamp, but it's one channel only:
http://cms.omnitronic.de/index.php?option=com_article_view&article=10355045&wgtree=A7013000

[nickee]

Looks identical to the ART phantom II. It is kinda big and the battery compartment sucks but it does the job cheaply.

[xpander]

Sunjan, have to appreciate your way of constantly digging up this new gear. Thanks!

[xpander]

While on the subject, I wonder if anybody could help me with one detail? I've only seen ART Phantom II once in real life, today as a matter of fact. Still inside the plastic retail box, I couldn't handle it at all though. What I'd like to know is, how much room is there inside the box? Or more specifically, how much free, open space is there inside the box?

One picture of innards could be enough, and no, it wouldn't have to be really detailed either...Just enough to get an idea.

Oh, the price of that ART Phantom II was 90 EUR ($118), btw. Pretty hefty price just for a P48 box.

[sunjan]

Looks identical to the ART phantom II.[/img]

Heck, you're right! Omnitronic is either a licensed copy, or a bad case of counterfeit/infringement. 

And thanks for the encouragement xpander. The price quote you got for the ART Phantom II sounds ridiculous, it retails in the US for $45:
http://www.audiomidi.com/Phantom-II---ARTcessory-P3307.aspx

Or if you live in Europe, pick up the Omnitronic for $56...

Regarding pictures of the guts, if you post the question with a separate subject header you will get the attention of the ART owners...

[xpander]

Yea, I quess a separate thread would be noticed more easily, but it's nothing really...just curiosity, so not that necessary right now.

[nickee]

Here's some pix of a undressed Art Phantom II. There's plenty of empty space in it. If I had a way to cut the metal case I would mod it, but I just got a PS2 instead. That cardboard paper is part of the design and "holds" the two 9V batteries (did I mention how much the battery compartment sucks? ).

[xpander]

That's exactly what I was wondering and wanted to see. Yup, there seems to be plenty of empty space inside, so that explains the size of the box. Great, thanks a lot Nickee!

[sokiN]

Has anyone use the omnitronic yet? Supposing it does the job similarily to ART phantom II do you think it's worth trying it? I live in Greece where denecke is not easy to find and it seems that everyone in TS prefers PS-2 for powering their mics...

[Roger Gustavsson]

Selling for about $56 on German Ebay. An alternative for Euro tapers that can't get hold of US gear like PS2 or ART Phantom II?

Hej Sunjan!

Well, the Art Phantom II is available in Sweden for 695 SEK. 


Roger

[sunjan]

Has anyone use the omnitronic yet? Supposing it does the job similarily to ART phantom II do you think it's worth trying it? I live in Greece where denecke is not easy to find and it seems that everyone in TS prefers PS-2 for powering their mics...

I guess the benefit of living in the US is that there's plenty of taper gear, both used and new, so there's no point in going for second best. The PS2 is the best bang for the buck, given the small form factor. The only phantom supply that's stealthable really. But in Europe, they're rarer than hens' teeth.

Art Phantom II has been a low-budget option ($40-50) for open taping since it was released, but in the US, you only need to top up another $30 or so, and you have a used PS2.

The problem in Europe is that you might end up paying more on customs and shipping than the gear itself.

Roger: Thanks for the hint, but I'm not in the market for a separate phantom supply ATM. Anyone in Europe going for open taping/big boxes might as well get a UA-5. Even though it's $130 and upwards used (stock), it's still way better value for money with an amazing feature set.

[sunjan]

Just noticed that B&H are selling another Chinese clone of the Art Phantom II:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/570346-REG/Australian_Monitor_PPA2_PPA2_Juiced_Up_.html

This time it's called Australian Monitor PPA2 
Official web site:
http://www.australianmonitor.com.au/am/home/product_detail.asp?cid=206