Phonic T8100 Tube Microphone Preamp

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Phonic T8100 Tube Microphone Preamp, Main
Phonic T8100 Tube Microphone Preamp, Main
Phonic T8100 Tube Microphone Preamp, Main Phonic T8100 Tube Microphone Preamp, Main
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Studio quality mic/line pre; warmth control; +48V phantom; dual 3-band, mid-sweep EQ

Phonic's T8100 Tube VocalMax is an extremely musical and flexible microphone preamplifier that features a mid-sweep 3-band EQ and a +4/-10dB switch for output level matching. The Tube VocalMax yields excellent results in noise reduction. It features a +48V phantom power, allowing the connection of condenser microphones, and the soft mute feature suppresses power-up thumps. T8100 is a must-have gear for all who demand the finest sound quality and dynamics to meet the requirements of modern professional audio applications.

Features
Studio quality mic/line preamp vocal processor

Warmth control for precise dosage of tube effect

+48V phantom power

Dual 3-band, mid-sweep equalizer

High-pass filter and clip indicator

Phase-reverse switch

Classic VU meter for display of input level

Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors for input and output

Operating levels of +4 dBu and -10 dBV independently selectable at each channel's output

Microphone Inputs
Connectors: XLR

Type: Transformer, DC-decoupled input

Impedance: 3k Ohms balanced

Gain: -50 dB to 0 dB

Maximum Input Level: +10 dBu balanced and unbalanced

CMRR: 60 dB @ 1 kHz

Line Inputs
Connectors: XLR and 1/4" TRS

Type: Transformer, DC-decoupled input stage

Impedance: 50k Ohms balanced, 25k Ohms unbalanced

Gain: -50 dB to 0 dB

Maximum Input Level: +26 dBu balanced and unbalanced

CMRR 60 dB @ 1 kHz

Outputs
Connectors: XLR and 1/4" TRS

Type: Electronic servo-balanced output stage

Impedance: 60 Ohms balanced, 30 Ohms unbalanced

Maximum Output Level: +22 dBu balanced and unbalanced

System
Bandwidth: 18 Hz to 30 kHz, +/- 2 dB

Noise: < -90 dB

THD: 0.1% @ 0 dB, 1 kHz

Crosstalk: < -80 dB

Controls
Micro Trim: Variable +10 dB to +60 dB

High-Pass Filter: 100 Hz

Low Frequency Gain: 80 Hz, +/- 15 dB

Mid Frequency Gain: +/- 15 dB

Mid Frequency Range: Variable 400 Hz to 8 kHz

High Frequency Gain: 12 kHz, +/- 15 dB

Warmth: Variable cold to warm

Output Level Control: Variable 0 dB to +10 dB

Phantom Power: +48 V

Function Switches: +48V phantom power, phase reverse, high pass

Function Controls: Mic/Line Gain, Tube Control, Low Frequency, Mid Frequency Range, Mid Frequency, High Frequency, Output Level

Power Supply
Power Consumption: 30 watts maximum

Power Connector: Standard IEC connector

Operating Voltage: 100-120 V

Fuse: 1Ah

Physical
Dimensions (W x H x D): 482 x 88 x 286 mm (19 x 3.5 x 11.25 in.)

Weight: 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs. )

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars. (8 ratings)
Submitted December 5, 2005 by a customer from siliconaudio.co.nz

"Looks nice - Sounds mediocre"

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This unit is visually attractive, but sonically uninspiring. I'll probably hang onto it a while to see if it has a use. Maybe to tame an overly bright mic or a shrill voice. But for me, clarity, low noise and low distortion are important factors that this unit is missing.
Sound
Of all the mic pre-amps I own (including the mic pres in my Behringer mixer), this unit is the noisiest. I hear subtle distortion even with the tube timbre knob all the way to "cold". The T8100's mellow sound may come in handy - but this unit is definitely not transparent.
Features
The EQ is quite nice, and missing on other pre-amps in this price range. The phase inversion switch is not implimented properly and changes the sound of the unit more than it should. It's nice to have separate phantom switches per channel.
Quality
Nice chassis, but the plastic knobs look/feel cheap. The high self noise and distortion are what drops the perceived quality for me.
Value
I'm rating this 5 out of 10 - right in the middle. Not terrible value, but not great either.
Manufacturer Support
Support only gets a 5 because the phonic.com site has been down for a long, long time. I have not had to make a warrantee claim.
The Wow Factor
It does have nice aesthetics, but the audio quality doesn't quite live up to them.

Musical Background:

Active musician, home studio owner.

Musical Style:

Acoustic Rock
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