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MX5-mk500 Mic Preamp

 

Meet the newest member of the FiveFish Studios line of 500-Series preamps... the MX5 mk500 Mic Preamp.

Just like it's brother, the X-72mk500, the MX5 Mic Preamp features the same UK-made Carnhill Input Transformer to deliver that big, punchy, lots of low end mojo sound. 

A custom made output transformer takes care of balancing the beefy outputs, and also adding it's own sonic signature.

Mil-spec Grayhill 12-stepped gain switch, and a separate Output Trim knob gives you fine control over this preamp. Lighted push-button switches gives a visual indicator for the status of your 48V phantom power, -20db Pad and Polarity Reverse switches. 

Custom-made, solid machined aluminum knobs gives the MX5 preamp an expensive look. But don't let it's features and expensive looks fool you, the MX5 is priced very attractively to fit the budget of every home, project or recording studio while still delivering on performance and features! 

You also have the option to use Discrete Op Amps (DOA) like 2520/990 type opamp with the MX5 preamp. Just swap out the stock chip, with a Discrete OpAmp for a slightly different flavor.

 

 

Using UK-made Carnhill Input Transformer
Custom Output Transformer
12-step Gain from 22dB to 68dB, at 4dB/step
-20dB Input Pad
High-quality parts
Option to use Discrete OpAmps with the 990/2520 format
Using high-performance chipsets, currently the best chip around
Using High-speed 2000V/us, video buffer, high-current transformer line driver
Using Grayhill switch - high quality mil-spec
with output trim Bourns potentiometer - so you can overdrive the input trafo and be able to trim the output of the pre.
Null offset trimmer adjustment
LED-lighted push buttons for 48V phantom, pads, and polarity reverse
Relay Controlled Polarity Reverse
Relay Controlled -20dB Pad
Soft-start/Ramp-up 48V Phantom Power
Includes on-board voltage regulators
Professional PCB, Rohs PCB with double-sided, plated-through holes, 2oz. copper
with soldermask, silkscreen layout,
Includes everything... 5-LED VU Meter, spacers, screws, knobs

NOTE: The MX5-mk500 Preamp requires an API 500 Series Rack or compatible rack.

You can also use discrete opamps with these preamps.
Discrete OpAmps not provided with preamps.

MX5-mk500 Mic Preamp (INTRODUCTORY OFFER)
	For USA Buyers	For INTL Buyers
$495 -  MX5-mk500 Mic Preamp

 

Last October, I held a sale of my X-12mk500 preamps.
 http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/X-12mk500-Mic-Preamp-Kit.html

These are some of the units that went out to customers... <drool>

Thanks to all my customers that support FiveFish Studios DIY Mic Preamp kits.
Some photos:


from another angle

The X-12 preamp kits are now on sale.

I updated the X-12 PDF guide and explained more about the option of using PDIP8 chips and DOA chips.

The key is using MillMax socket pins on the board. This will allow you to quickly remove the PDIP8 chips, insert your DOA chips and do some listening tests. The DOA chip sits well above the IC sockets. You'd have to remove the PDIP chip though if you want to use DOAs.

Here's the latest photo of the X-12 preamp using an API 2520 clone Discrete Op Amp.

This preamp was inspired by A certain Preamp Indeed!

But no, it's not a clone. Rather, I'd like to call it my FiveFish version

It uses input transformers with high-nickel and mumetal shielding, monolithic opamps and also has the option to use 990/992/2520 discrete opamps, null offset, output transformers, on-board voltage regulators, Relay-controlled -20dB Pads and Polarity Reverse, Soft-start phantom power, LED-lighted push button swithes, Grayhill selector switch, Bourns pot.

It uses a very very low distortion opamp chip for amplification, coupled to a high current, high-slew rate (2000V/us) video buffer driver subjecting that output transformer into submission.

The sound is huge and beefy... it will fight back when pushed hard, and slap you up and down silly to let you know who's boss... kinda like a rock n roll club bouncer.

(VU meter not shown in above photo, 5-LED VU Metering included in kit.)

I now have a mic preamp kit inspired by the API preamp. Check it out! You can buy the complete kit on my website. http://www.fivefish.net/diy/ http://www.fivefishstudios.com/ffimages/X12-Preamp-Fivefish-large.jpg This is my own version of a classic preamp, popular in the 70s and still popular today. It's not a clone since I'm using a totally different signal path and design, and different input and output transformers. But the sound nevertheless is awesome. Big and beefy with lots of transformer mojo goodness. Note: This kit is my 1u rack version with on-board local voltage regulators. Using Input and Output Transformers 12-step Gain from 22dB to 68dB, at 4dB/step -20dB Input Pad High-quality parts Option to use Discrete OpAmps with the 990/2520 format Using high-performance chipsets, currently the best chip around Using High-speed 2000V/us, video buffer, high-current transformer line driver Using Grayhill switch - high quality mil-spec with output trim Bourns potentiometer - so you can overdrive the input trafo and be able to trim the output of the pre. Null offset trimmer adjustment LED-lighted push buttons for 48V phantom, pads, and polarity reverse Relay Controlled Polarity Reverse Relay Controlled -20dB Pad Soft-start/Ramp-up 48V Phantom Power Includes on-board voltage regulators Professional PCB, Rohs PCB with double-sided, plated-through holes, 2oz. copper with soldermask, silkscreen layout, Includes everything... 5-LED VU Meter, spacers, screws, knobs