I'm putting together a new rig for open taping with a goal of warm, musical sound yet un-bloated results. Portability isn't really an issue for me since I'll have access to whatever power source I need at gigs where I'd be using this rig. I'd love to be able to make recordings that are as warm and liquidy smooth as those classic 70s albums we all love. So I was thinking that a decent tube pre may be able to offer something closer to my goal than just mic voicing alone. So that is my goal and what I'd like to do with this, is it realistic? Here are the specs:
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DPS II - Digital Preamplifier System Features
• Variable Input Impedance
• 24bit/96KHz A-to-D Conversion
• Improved V3™ Variable Valve Voicing Presets
• LED Input Meter
• Analog Output Meter
• Enhanced ART Tube Technology Warms the Conversion
• Automaticly switches between instrument and mic preamp
• Wide Frequency Response (5hz/50kHz)
• Enhanced OPL™ Output Protection Limiter
DPS II - Digital Preamplifier System Specifications
CMRR >75dB (typ. @ 1kHz)
Dimensions 5.5"d x 19"w x 1.75"h
Dynamic Range >100dB
Equivalent Input Noise -129dBu (A weighted, xlr to xlr)
Frequency Response 5Hz to 50kHz (+0 to -1dB)
Input/Output Connections 1/4" RTS unbalanced. Tip = input, Ring = analog output. 10K Input impedance. 0dBu = digital clip point at input level max. Level control offers full mute at min setting. • Sample Rate: Internal Selectable 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz • External: Wordclock, ADAT. • Wordclock Input: BNC connector, 100 Ohms (terminated), 3.25V p-p min, 25KHz (min) to 105KHz (max) sample rate. • Optical Input: ADAT optical Selectable for sample rate locking. Also used as a source of ADAT data to be transmitted on unused ADAT channels. • Optical Output: ADAT optical or S/PDIF selectable. • ADAT Mode: Contains 24 bit ADAT data arranged DPS CH1 = ADAT odd channel(s), CH2 = even channel(s).
Maximum Gain 74dB (inst. input to xlr)
Maximum Gain XLR to XLR 80dB
Maximum Input Level +19dBu (xlr); +22dBu (inst. input)
Maximum Output Level +28dBu (xlr); +22dBu (1/4")
Phantom Power +48 volts
Total Harmonic Distortion .01% (clean), 0.1% (warm)
Vacuum Tube 12AX7A - Dual Triode (Hand Selected)
Weight 4.85 lbs. (2.2 kg)