Perfect micpre-amp

Extended information

"Dual Channel Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp
dbx shows a new entry into the vacuum tube domain with the 586 Dual Vacuum Tube Preamp. The 586 carries the dbx heritage of past products into the vacuum tube arena. Dbx has left no stone unturned to bring the 586 all the standard features including custom designed analog VU meters that monitor tube level insert path or output levels, +48V Phantom Power, 20dB pad, phase invert, and low cut filter. Line/Instrument and mic inputs make the 586 versatile enough to use with virtually any source device. Add to this list of standard features extras like a three band EQ with sweepable mids and selectable mid Q (with EQ hardwire bypass), available insert loop, and the new PeakPlus limiting topology and you've got a winner.
dbx586
Hand selected and matched premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes ensure the ideal triode gain matching, distortion, microphonics and drive characteristics. What does all that mean? It means you get the best tube sound with the most versatility available today. Have you ever wanted to go directly from the wonderfully warm sound of tube processing to the digital domain without loosing that great sound? Well, now you can. With the optional dbx TYPE IV Conversion System output, you can capture the essence of tube processing directly into the digital world, without leaving the box. The digital output offers the ability to communicate in either AES/EBU or S/PDIF at up to 16 or 20bit word lengths. In addition, TYPE IV offers the ability to select Noise shape algorithms and dither types that best suit your music and your medium. Never before has so much flexibility been offered to digital users. The 586 has all the rear panel versatility and connectivity that make it easy to setup and patch into any system. No custom cables or adapters. Gold plated Neutrik« connectors for the audio ins and outs ensure solid connections and pristine sound every time. Separate 1/4"" connectors for the insert sends and returns, as well as +4/-10 operating level switching make it a snap.

Features
¸ Hand selected and matched Premium 12AU7 vacuum tubes in path
¸ Mic or line/instrument inputs on each channel. +4/-10 operation
¸ Drive control for a wide variety of great tube effects
¸ PeakPlus limiting control
¸ 3-Band EQ with sweepable frequency, wide / narrow Q and hardwire bypass
¸ Optional TYPE IV Conversion System outputs
¸ Separate 1/4"" insert sends and returns on each channel
¸ Custom designed analog VU meters monitor tube drive, insert, or output levels
"

Technical specifications

"dbx 586 Specifications MICROPHONE INPUTS
Connectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced
Impedance: 1.70 kOhm
Optimum Microphone Impedance: 150 - 200 ohm
Maximum Input Level: > +13 dBu, or +33 dBu with 20 dB pad engaged
CMRR: > 115 dB at 60 Hz, > 110 dB at 1 kHz, > 75dB at 10 kHz
LINE INPUTS
Connectors: Female XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4""
Type: Electronically balanced/unbalanced
Impedance: 20.1 kOhm nominal, or 470 kOhm with rear-panel INST switch engaged
Maximum Input Level: > +30 dBu, or +22 dBu with rear-panel INST switch engaged
OUTPUTS
Connectors: Male XLR Pin 2 hot and TRS 1/4""
Type: Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered
Impedance: Balanced 120 Ohm, unbalanced 60 Ohm
Maximum Output Level: +21.5 dBu, balanced or unbalanced
INSERT
Connectors: TRS 1/4""
Type: Impedance balanced/unbalanced (SEND), electronically balanced/unbalanced (RETURN)
Impedance: 100 Ohm bal./50 Ohm unbal. (SEND), 20k (RETURN)
Nominal Send Level: +4 dBu
Nominal Return Level: +4 dBu
EQUALIZER
LOW Frequency: 80 Hz, shelving filter
HIGH Frequency: 12 kHz, shelving filter
MID Frequency: Sweepable from 100 Hz to 8 kHz, bandwidth 1.5 octaves (WIDE) or 0.5 octaves (NARROW)
Gain (all bands): Sweepable from -15 to +15 dB.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
DRIVE Control Range: +10 dB to +60 dB
LEVEL Control Range: -15 dB to +15 dB
0.5 dB Bandwidth: 15 Hz to > 90 kHz +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: <10 Hz to >200 kHz +0/-3.0 dB
EIN: Typically -126 dBu, 150 source impedance, unweighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz measurement bandwidth
THD + Noise: 0.04% typical at +0 dBu out, 1kHz, 33 dB gain 3.5% typical at +21 dBu out, 1kHz, 35 dB gain
Deviation From Linear Phase: < 20 degrees, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Interchannel Crosstalk: Typically -98 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
PeakPlus LIMITER
Type: Two-stage proprietary
Threshold Range: 0 dBu to + 22 dBu (off)
Ratio: inf:1
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
DRIVE Control Range: +10 dB to +60 dB
LEVEL Control Range: -15 dB to +15 dB
0.5 dB Bandwidth: 15 Hz to > 90 kHz +0/-0.5 dB
Frequency Response: <10 Hz to >200 kHz +0/-3.0 dB
EIN: Typically -126 dBu, 150 source impedance, unweighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz measurement bandwidth
THD + Noise: 0.04% typical at +0 dBu out, 1kHz, 33 dB gain, 3.5% typical at +21 dBu out, 1kHz, 35 dB gain
Deviation From Linear Phase: < 20 degrees, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Interchannel Crosstalk: Typically -98 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
FUNCTION SWITCHES
INSERT: Inserts a device connected to the rear-panel Return jack into the signal path.
NARROW: Selects narrow (0.5 octave) bandwidth for the MID frequency control
EQ: Enables the equalizer section
LINE: Selects the Line inputs
+48V: Enables the 48V phantom power for the Microphone input
PAD: Attenuates the input signal by 20 dB.
PHASE: Reverses pins 2 and 3 of the input XLR connector.
LO CUT: Enables the 75 Hz, 12 dB/octave low cut filter
METER SOURCE SWITCHES
DRIVE: Monitors the signal level at the input to the vacuum tube
INSERT: Monitors the signal level at the Insert Return jack
OUTPUT: Monitors the output signal level
DIGITAL OUTPUT OPTION SWITCHES
(Note: The digital output option switches are enabled only when the optional dbx TYPE IV is installed in the unit.)

DITHER: Selects between Dither algorithms
SHAPE: Selects between Noise Shape algorithms
REAR PANEL SWITCHES
INST: Switches the gain and impedance of the Line Inputs to allow for connection of unbalanced devices with passive instrument pickups
+4 dBu/-10 dBV: Switches the nominal output level between +4 dBu and -10 dBV
INDICATORS
CLIP Red LED to indicate when the internal signal level is within 3 dB of actual waveform clipping; sense points are at all critical stages of the circuit
LIMIT: Red LED to indicated when the PeakPlus limiter is active
OPTIONS
Digital output module: Contact dbx for further details.
POWER SUPPLY
Operating Voltage: 100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC 50/60 Hz.
Power Consumption: 30 Watts maximum.
Fuse: 100V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X 20mm
120V: 315mA 250V Slow Blow 5mm X 20mm
220-240V: T160 mA 250V 5mm X 20mm
Mains Connection: IEC 320 Receptacle
"