D108 Dual Channel JFET Microphone Preamp
D108 Dual Channel JFET Microphone Preamp
A dual JFET mic preamp with authentic 1176 box tone!
Inspired by the vintage Universal Audio™ 2108 mic preamp, the D108 is a dual channel preamplifier combining the famously aggressive 1108 line amp of the iconic 1176 Rev A with a custom JFET-based input stage. Hand-built with NOS JFETs, carbon composition resistors, custom-wound input and output transformers, and other premium components throughout, the D108 imparts instant 60s solid-state vibe to any source - with more than enough rich saturation when overdriven.
*All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The AudioScape V108 Class-A 500-SERIES Microphone Preamp
What if the 1176… was a mic preamp?
The 1176 Rev A “Blue Stripe” is famous for its aggressive, harmonically rich 1108 line amplifier, a circuit that would be modified in later revisions. Many mixing engineers reach for the Rev A over other models for its bright upper midrange bite, making it an indispensable tool for mixing lead vocals, snare drums, and more.
However, with its lightning-fast attack and tendency to slice and dice unruly peaks without mercy, the Rev A is not always an ideal choice for tracking! And while it’s a fabulous “box tone” line level unit in its own right, there remains a simpler possibility: what if this circuit could be included directly in a mic preamp, imparting Rev A character from the jump?
A Dual Channel Mic Preamp With 1176 Rev A Character
Enter the D108! Just as Universal Audio™ set out to build the 2 channel 2108 rackmount mic preamp from their 1108 line amp module, we’ve taken our own 1108 amp circuit, refined and perfected from over 8 years making our 76A, and coupled it with a proprietary JFET-based mic input stage. Utilizing a custom-wound transformer, this vintage-voiced input stage supplies the +25 dB of gain required to make the D108 a proper microphone preamp, with an output gain stage familiar to “blue stripe” fans everywhere.
Longtime AS fans will remember the first incarnation of this circuit: the V108 500-series preamplifier launched back in 2019. The compact size of that board, which is largely unchanged with the D108, has helpfully allowed us to include 2 channels in a single 19-inch rackmount unit, closer to the original UA 2108.
Vintage NOS JFETs, Carbon Comp Resistors, And Premium Components Throughout
Just like our other units from this era, the D108 uses vintage-accurate components including NOS JFETs in the microphone preamp input stage, along with the carbon composition resistors and NOS transistors normally found in our 76A line amp board. Other premium components including top quality capacitors, precision metal film resistors in non-audio parts of the circuit, and a medical grade toroidal PSU round out the component selection, and ensure the D108 not only nails the tonality of 1960s solid state transistor equipment, but will last for decades to come - just like gear from that era!
Classic 1960s Transistor & Transformer Saturation
With custom-wound transformers at both input and output stages, this is a preamp with analog saturation available in spades. The input and output controls, outfitted with knobs familiar to any 1176 fan, allow a variety of rich, saturated tones. Crank the input, roll back the output, or vice versa - all without worrying about FET compression artifacts! ;)
An 1176-Like Preamp For Guitars, Drums, And Vocals
Sonically, this unit shines on electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and vocals - or anywhere you might look to add late 60s transistor tone at the tracking stage. In short, it is a very “rock & roll” preamp! If you’ve ever wanted the Blue Stripe 1176 sound on a source without the famously aggressive compression action, the D108 is the perfect tool to have in your arsenal.
Of course, you can use the unit as a line-level saturation box as well - lending a rather “guillotine”-like character to any and all sources in a mixing environment (if you catch the drift). It’s a delightful way to warm up digital-sounding synths or drum samples, and it’s a killer tool for overdriven DI guitar, too.
Most “two for one” solutions are too good to be true, in our experience. But the D108 is truly a reliable way to get two channels of the classic 1176 box tone with a pair of high-quality, vintage-voiced JFET mic preamps in a single unit!
*All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
FEATURES:
Rugged, Fully Enclosed Steel Case (with ventilation slats)
Custom JFET-Coupled Mic Input Saturation Stage
24V Operation Internally
Vintage-Style 1108 Line Amplifier Circuitry (also found in the 1176 Rev A)
US Made, Custom-Wound Input Transformer
US Made, Custom-Wound Output Transformer
Panasonic Coupling Capacitors
NOS & Custom Metal-Can Transistors
Custom Vintage-Styled Knobs
Lorlin UK Stepped Gain Switch
IMPEDANCE Switch
PHASE Switch
PHANTOM POWER (+48V) Switch
PAD Switch
Allen-Bradley Carbon Film Resistors in Key Areas of the Signal Path
C & K Switches
Alpha Potentiometers
**specifications, parts & pricing subject to change because sh*t happens ;-)
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