| Content | Rupert Neve Designs' Shelford Channel, over a half century in the making, is the definitive evolution of Mr. Neve's renowned 80 Series channel module technology, updated and refined for the contemporary studio. The Shelford Channel is fitted with Rupert's latest Class A transformer-gain mic preamp, the best-of-the-classics Inductor EQ from the Shelford 5052, a punchy diode-bridge compressor, the alluring analog textures of variable Silk saturation, a state-of-the-art dual-tap transformer output stage with massive headroom, and double the operating voltage of vintage designs. Offering rich tonal options for making audacious statements with your music, along with precision-detented controls for recall, the Shelford Channel delivers the authoritative sonic essence of classic Rupert Neve designs, along with modern versatility.
Input stage and transformer-gain mic pre
Rupert Neve's first new Class A, transformer-gain mic preamplifier in over 40 years makes its debut in the Shelford Channel. Rupert has spec'd this preamp with a direct-coupled transformer input; gain is provided by the custom transformer itself. The proprietary input transformer, and its meticulous integration with the surrounding Class A input amplifiers, plays an outsized role in the Channel's immediately recognizable sonics: punchy and creamy-smooth, with excellent isolation and vanishingly low noise.
The Shelford Channel's front-panel hi-Z instrument input uses the same discrete Class A field-effect transistor with transformer topology as Rupert Neve Designs' acclaimed RNDI; for gain, however, it utilizes the new RN4012 input transformer directly into the mic preamp. This design provides astonishing clarity on hi-Z sources, with substantial low-end weight and silky-smooth high frequencies. The DI also gives you a passive thru output to feed a guitar or bass amp.
- Mic-DI/Line: switches between microphone/direct injection input and line input
- GND Lift: disconnects the audio signal ground from chassis earth
- Signal LED: green indicates Signal Present; red indicates imminent input stage clipping
- Mic Gain: 12-way precision rotary, controls gain from 0dB to 66dB in 6dB steps
- Trim: rotary switch provides further continuous gain adjustment of +/-6dB
- 48V: switch engages phantom power on the mic input
- Phase: inverts the polarity of the signal path (illuminates when engaged)
- HPF Freq: engages a 12dB/octave highpass filter, variable from 20Hz-250Hz
The best-of-the-classics inductor EQ
The Shelford Channel's EQ section is a 3-band, custom-tapped inductor circuit containing Rupert's favorite bands from his vintage equalizer designs. The low-frequency band is primarily based on the 1064 — acclaimed for its creamy, resonant bass. Unlike the 1064, though, the Channel gives you added dimension, punch, and control over your low end by letting you use the LF band as either a peaking or a shelving filter. The midrange band is based on the venerable 1073 and is perfect for sweetening instruments and vocals while nudging them forward in a mix. "Proportional Q" response also makes it ideal for attenuating problem frequencies. The high-frequency band is a hybrid design with the best of vintage and modern attributes. It should be noted that this EQ is in no way a clone; it's a decidedly modern design using components and techniques that simply did not exist in the 1970s — for instance, the use of capacitor-based topologies to achieve sonic richness and enhanced control.
- EQ In: engages all EQ frequency bands except HPF
- LF: adjusts up to 15dB of boost/cut at the selected low frequency
- Low Freq: 4-position rotary switch for selecting LF band corner or center frequency
- LF Peak: selects LF shelving (out) or peaking (in) mode
- Mid Hi Q: selects between a mid-band resonance of 2 (out) or 3.5 (in)
- Mid: adjusts up to 15dB of boost/cut at selected mid frequency
- Mid Freq: 6-position rotary switch selects center frequency of the midband EQ stage
- HF Peak: selects HF shelving (out) or peaking (in) mode
- 8K/16K: selects between an 8kHz (out) or 16kHz (in) center or corner frequency for HF band
- HF: adjusts up to 15dB of boost or cut at selected high frequency
The Super Diode-bridge Compressor
Like the Shelford Channel's inductor EQ and transformer-gain microphone preamp, the diode-bridge compressor/limiter is based on the topologies found in vintage Neve designs such as the 2254. It improves, however, on the early designs by the inclusion of full-wave rectification and a bevy of new control features. Although Rupert's vintage diode-bridge compressors were prized for their warm, punchy response, they were somewhat compromised by imprecise controls, attack-time inflexibility, low headroom, and high noise. The Shelford Channel's Super Diode-bridge Compressor delivers the attitude-packed, "in your face" sound of those classics, but with modern precision and flexibility — which makes it ideal on any source. Full Side-chain and stereo Link features are provided.
- Side Chain Insert Jacks (rear-panel): for fine tuning of compressor operation
- Comp In: engages the Channel's compressor-limiter section
- Threshold: sets level where the compressor "kicks in"
- Ratio: sets compression slope from 1.5:1 (minimal) to 8:1 (heavy)
- SC Insert: inserts rear-panel sidechain insert jacks into sidechain signal path
- HPF to S/C: routes highpass filter into the circuit that compressor uses to determine level
- Gain: for adding make-up gain to compensate for level attenuation lost to compression
- Timing: 6-position rotary adjusts attack/release speed of the compressor
- Link: links the sidechain control of multiple units for ganged or stereo operation
- Pre EQ: changes the order of compressor in the circuit chain
- Blend: mixes the dry and compressed signal for handy parallel compression
- Fast: speeds up both attack and release of the selected compressor time constant
Dual-tap transformer output
The Shelford Channel's output stage serves up the inimitable sound of Rupert Neve's classic designs while providing far more tonal versatility. The dual-tap output for the RN2042 square-core output transformer provides both high- and low-headroom outputs without compromising performance. The high-headroom tap takes advantage of the Shelford's higher-voltage design, delivering a pristine sound without non-linear output-stage coloration at high levels. The low-headroom tap, on the other hand, lets you drive the full voltage range of the Channel to accentuate this non-linear harmonic content — without clipping most pro interfaces. For vocals, drums, guitars, bass, and other instruments, this output lets you hit the transformer's sweet spot, which can inject life into a recorded performance in a way that other effects cannot.
The Silk and Texture controls
The Shelford Channel is packing a secret weapon the classics never had: its output transformer features the Silk Red/Blue and Texture controls from the Portico II Series that let you tailor the harmonic content and tonality of the output stage. By engaging these controls and sufficiently driving your output, you can dial in delectable 2nd- and 3rd-order harmonic distortion (that's the good kind) and saturation of the output transformer, imbuing your tracks with juicy rich thickness (think: 1073 on steroids) — with no danger of overloading the output stage. The Silk Red mode emphasizes harmonic content generated by the source's high frequencies; Blue mode, conversely, works off the low frequencies. The Texture knob controls the amount of added harmonic content. Disengage Silk, and your output is pristine and modern, while retaining Rupert's bigger-than-life transformer sonic signature.
The magical sound of Neve
Rupert Neve is an audio legend whose electronics designs defined the golden age of analog. Those of us at Sweetwater who have had the privilege of working on a Neve 8078 or its predecessors can attest to the fact that Neve's Series 80 consoles were indeed the pinnacle of hand-wired analog mixing desks. Mr. Neve has remained at the forefront of audio-circuit innovation for over half a century, and his current company, Rupert Neve Designs, continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge products that sound incredible and intelligently address the challenges of the digital age.
Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Features:
- The definitive evolution of Rupert Neve's renowned 80 Series channel module technology
- A complete channel strip that delivers the essence of classic designs, along with modern versatility
- Input stage and transformer-gain mic pre
- Front-panel hi-Z direct input
- Best-of-the-classics inductor EQ
- Super Diode-bridge Compressor
- Dual-tap transformer output
- Silk and Texture controls
|
The M5si is a sensational integrated amplifier with exceptional power and clarity.
The M5si is a real high end amplifier. At 150wpc, with high current delivery, it will drive virtually any loudspeaker easily.
Internally the M5si is configured as two independent monoblocs with a separate preamp, but all mounted on one pcb. Its technical performance is about equal to the M6si.
The M5si In Brief
- 150wpc
- Excellent technical performance
- Preamp output
- Unconditional stability, will drive any loudspeaker
- Wide range of useful inputs including asynchronous USB and MM phono
- Excellent hunky build quality
Specifications
Power output:Â 150 W per channel into 8 ohm
Signal to Noise Ratio: >100 dB ‘A’ - weighted
Frequency Response: +0, –0.1 dB, 10 Hz to 20 kHz
Inputs: 4x Line Level RCA, 1x USB type ‘B’ connector - asynchronous data stream at up to 24-bit/96kHz, 1 x MM phono input, Trigger in
Phono
Sensitivity:Â 3 mV nominal (MM)
Signal / noise ratio: >70 dB ‘A’-weighted
Input impedance:Â 50 k ohm (MM)
Frequency response: RIAA/IEC ±0.5 dB 20 Hz-20 kHz
Outputs:Â Trigger out, Fixed, line level output, Variable, preamp output
Dimensions - WxHxD (mm):Â 440 x 100 x 405
Weight (unpacked / packed):Â 14.6 kg/ 18.8 kg
| The TB12 Tone Beast Black is a fully professional preamp design with loads of gain that can effortlessly capture an array of sources very well. It is a swiss army knife full of options and tones. With top notch CineMag transformers and multiple discrete signal paths, it's hard to beat the Tone Beast's big, bold, fully-professional sound at this price.
The Tone Beast Black is a mic pre that likes to be pushed and when pushed will colorize your signal ever so sweetly. The 2 opamps and 2 output transformers at the flip of their switches won't appear to be much different, but as one drives the pre into harmonic distortion, the unique character of each of these components becomes apparent. The Tone Beast Black is customizable and allows users to source and swap in their own opamps. The output control on the TB12 allows you to limit the signal exiting the preamp even when pushing the gain to really hot levels, giving you maximum control.
When designing the TB12 Tone Beast Black our goal was to make a microphone preamplifier affordable and jam packed full of options, without compromising the quality and design parameters that make this type of microphone preamplifier so desirable.
The TB12 "Tone Beast Black" is a fully discrete, high-voltage microphone preamplifier, utilzing CineMag USA Transformers. Have no fear of hurting the Beast, you can push it very hard into full-on distortion if you wish, and these can sound quite nice on electric guitar, bass or anything else that likes some grit.
The different component options in the TB12 are subtle, but when driven into saturation are noticeable and can make a big difference to the way your final mix will sound. Home-based musicians and professional studios alike will find the Tone Beast Black to be an extremely powerful and fully professional piece of gear that is capable of warming and shaping signals/mixes in a way that is very pleasing to the ear.
- 71DB OF GAIN
- TRANSFORMER SELECTION PROVIDES BOTH STEEL AND 50% NICKEL CINEMAG OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS FOR VARYING CHARACTER
- TRANSFORMER BYPASS SWITCH ALLOWS FOR REMOVAL OF THE OUTPUT TRANSFORMER FROM THE CIRCUIT
- DISCRETE OPAMP SELECTION ALLOWS FOR CHOOSING BETWEEN A 1731(VINTAGE) AND 918(CLEANER) STYLE OPAMP. THESE ARE SOCKETED/SWAPPABLE WITH YOUR CHOICE OF 2520 6 PIN FOOTPRINT OPAMPS
- IMPEDANCE SWITCH LABELED TONE TO SWITCH BETWEEN 150 AND 600 OHMS INPUT IMPEDANCE
- 2 MEG OHM TRUE HI-Z INPUT ON FRONT PANEL SENDS INSTRUMENT SIGNAL THROUGH ENTIRE CIRCUIT INCLUDING BOTH CINEMAG TRANSFORMERS AND THE DISCRETE OPAMPS. GREAT FOR GUITARS, BASS, KEYBOARDS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS THAT HAVE A 1/4″ OUTPUT JACK
- 80HZ HIPASS FILTER
- POLARITY REVERSE
- UTILIZES PREMIUM GRADE CINEMAG USA TRANSFORMERS
- +48V PHANTOM POWER
- OUTPUT ATTENUATION ALLOWS FOR SATURATION FLEXIBILITY OF BOTH OPAMPS AND TRANSFORMERS
- ¼" INSERT FOR THE USE OF INLINE COMPRESSORS, EQ'S ETC
- BALANCED XLR MIC (FRONT AND BACK), BALANCED TRS LINE, AND ¼" UNBALANCED INSTRUMENT INPUTS
- BALANCED XLR AND TRS OUTPUTS
- -20DB PAD
- LED VU METER
- 19" RACKMOUNTABLE
- SWITCHABLE 115/230 VOLT IEC POWER INLET.
- CAPACITOR SELECTION BETWEEN TANTALUM AND ELECTROLYTIC FOR DIFFERENT CHARACTERS
| The Scarlett OctoPre is the ideal 8-channel expansion for any Scarlett - or other digital interface with ADAT inputs. ADAT is a simple and easy way of increasing the number of simultaneous recording channels available in your studio. With eight channels of Focusrite's 2nd generation Scarlett preamps and precision A-D conversion at sample rates up to 192 kHz, Scarlett OctoPre is the ideal way of increasing the number of inputs in your studio. It also offers eight balanced line outputs, sourced directly from their respective mic preamps for use on stage in a live environment.
Eight natural-sounding 2nd generation Scarlett mic/line inputs deliver high headroom, plenty of clean gain, low noise and minimal distortion - ideal for tracking drums as well guitars, keyboards, vocals and more. The front panel features two newly-designed instrument inputs with extended headroom. ADAT outputs let you connect to any interface or digital system with ADAT optical inputs, and analogue line outputs let you feed an analogue console at the same time as recording with the digital outputs.
- Eight natural-sounding 2nd generation Scarlett mic preamps
- Eight balanced line inputs
- Focusrite precision A-D conversion up to sample rates of 192 kHz
- Dual front-panel instrument inputs
- Pad on every channel for extra headroom - ideal for loud sources such as drums
- Eight balanced line outputs - ideal for live use
- Accurate 5-segment LED input metering
- Simple ADAT connectivity via optical cables
- 48V Phantom power available on every channel for condenser mics
- State-of-the-art digital clocking with Word Clock I/O for synchronisation with external devices
Create studio quality vocals, powerful guitars, luscious keys and huge drums, then mix and master with iconic Focusrite studio hardware – all in the box. Every new Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen interface comes with an unbeatable range of tried-and tested studio tools from some of the biggest names in the business:
- Antares Auto-Tune Access
- Relab’s LX480 Essentials
- Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555
- XLN Audio Addictive Keys
- XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Studio Rock kit
- Brainworx bx_oberhausen
- Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC
- Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite
- Brainworx bx_masterdesk
| The TB12 Tone Beast Black is a fully professional preamp design with loads of gain that can effortlessly capture an array of sources very well. It is a swiss army knife full of options and tones. With top notch CineMag transformers and multiple discrete signal paths, it's hard to beat the Tone Beast's big, bold, fully-professional sound at this price.
The Tone Beast Black is a mic pre that likes to be pushed and when pushed will colorize your signal ever so sweetly. The 2 opamps and 2 output transformers at the flip of their switches won't appear to be much different, but as one drives the pre into harmonic distortion, the unique character of each of these components becomes apparent. The Tone Beast Black is customizable and allows users to source and swap in their own opamps. The output control on the TB12 allows you to limit the signal exiting the preamp even when pushing the gain to really hot levels, giving you maximum control.
When designing the TB12 Tone Beast Black our goal was to make a microphone preamplifier affordable and jam packed full of options, without compromising the quality and design parameters that make this type of microphone preamplifier so desirable.
The TB12 "Tone Beast Black" is a fully discrete, high-voltage microphone preamplifier, utilzing CineMag USA Transformers. Have no fear of hurting the Beast, you can push it very hard into full-on distortion if you wish, and these can sound quite nice on electric guitar, bass or anything else that likes some grit.
The different component options in the TB12 are subtle, but when driven into saturation are noticeable and can make a big difference to the way your final mix will sound. Home-based musicians and professional studios alike will find the Tone Beast Black to be an extremely powerful and fully professional piece of gear that is capable of warming and shaping signals/mixes in a way that is very pleasing to the ear.
- 71DB OF GAIN
- TRANSFORMER SELECTION PROVIDES BOTH STEEL AND 50% NICKEL CINEMAG OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS FOR VARYING CHARACTER
- TRANSFORMER BYPASS SWITCH ALLOWS FOR REMOVAL OF THE OUTPUT TRANSFORMER FROM THE CIRCUIT
- DISCRETE OPAMP SELECTION ALLOWS FOR CHOOSING BETWEEN A 1731(VINTAGE) AND 918(CLEANER) STYLE OPAMP. THESE ARE SOCKETED/SWAPPABLE WITH YOUR CHOICE OF 2520 6 PIN FOOTPRINT OPAMPS
- IMPEDANCE SWITCH LABELED TONE TO SWITCH BETWEEN 150 AND 600 OHMS INPUT IMPEDANCE
- 2 MEG OHM TRUE HI-Z INPUT ON FRONT PANEL SENDS INSTRUMENT SIGNAL THROUGH ENTIRE CIRCUIT INCLUDING BOTH CINEMAG TRANSFORMERS AND THE DISCRETE OPAMPS. GREAT FOR GUITARS, BASS, KEYBOARDS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS THAT HAVE A 1/4″ OUTPUT JACK
- 80HZ HIPASS FILTER
- POLARITY REVERSE
- UTILIZES PREMIUM GRADE CINEMAG USA TRANSFORMERS
- +48V PHANTOM POWER
- OUTPUT ATTENUATION ALLOWS FOR SATURATION FLEXIBILITY OF BOTH OPAMPS AND TRANSFORMERS
- ¼" INSERT FOR THE USE OF INLINE COMPRESSORS, EQ'S ETC
- BALANCED XLR MIC (FRONT AND BACK), BALANCED TRS LINE, AND ¼" UNBALANCED INSTRUMENT INPUTS
- BALANCED XLR AND TRS OUTPUTS
- -20DB PAD
- LED VU METER
- 19" RACKMOUNTABLE
- SWITCHABLE 115/230 VOLT IEC POWER INLET.
- CAPACITOR SELECTION BETWEEN TANTALUM AND ELECTROLYTIC FOR DIFFERENT CHARACTERS
| MARANTZ NR1200 STEREO RECEIVER
2ch Slim Stereo Streaming Receiver with HEOS Built-in
Indulge in high-resolution sonic perfection with the Marantz NR1200 two-channel slim stereo receiver that powers detailed, high-fidelity audio from a compact chassis. At half the height of a traditional receiver, the NR1200 drives impeccable sound for your movies, shows, hi-fi audio and more. The NR1200 supports the latest HDMI connectivity with its 5 inputs, each one supporting HDCP 2.3, 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, HLG and more. Stream music from leading music services and control the NR1200 with voice control compatibility via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.
Features
- Slim profile that’s half the height of a traditional AV receiver: Delivers exceptional performance and sound quality
- Power to suit your audio preferences: Two-channel discrete power amplifier with separate L/R power amp circuit and power transformer with 75 W per channel (8-ohm, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.08% THD)
- Hi-Fi construction and performance: Engineered with dedicated Hi-Fi parts for two-channel Hi-Fi performance, including custom-designed power capacitors, sound parts exquisitely tuned by sound masters and dual DAC circuit design
- Versatile HDMI ARC connectivity: 5 HDMI inputs with full HDCP 2.3 support plus one HDMI out with ARC support for single cable connection with your television
- Flexibility for all configurations: Speaker A/B, tone control to tune the sound to your exact specifications and dedicated dual subwoofer output for evenly dispersed bass, and no audible peaks or dips
- AM / FM tuner: Hear all of your favorite radio stations with exquisite detail
- Play vinyl with exceptional clarity: Integrated phono input that easily connects to your turntable
- Drive an exceptional gaming experience: Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensures Xbox One users have a more responsive and immersive gaming experience when connected with select TV models that also support ALLM
- Smart TV connectivity: Control the NR1200 with your TV remote, and HDMI-CEC support for seamless pass-through of the latest picture and audio coding from your TV to the stereo receiver
- High-performance, high-resolution audio playback: Ability to decode high-resolution audio ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless files up to 24-bit/192-kHz — plus, DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks for high-resolution listening
- HEOS Built-in: Enjoy more flexible music streaming in one room or many
- Stream your favorite music from popular services: Play music on Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer and many others via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 or the HEOS Built-in app
- Integrate with your home-network: Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support (dual antenna)
- Speak your commands: Supports all major voice control agents and streaming services for seamless control
Specifications
NETWORK
- HEOS multiroom and streaming, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2
- FLAC / ALAC / WAV up to 192/24
- DSD up to DSD5.6
- TuneIn internet radio
- Spotify Connect, Deezer, Tidal, Napster, Pandora, Sirius XM
HDMI
No. of inputs:Â 5
No. of outputs:Â 1
Supported formats / features:
- 4K 60 Hz 4:4:4, HDCP 2.3
- Enhanced ARC
- HDR / HLG
- 3D signal pass-through
- HDMI pass-through in stand-by
OTHER INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
Audio
Analog in:Â 3
Phono (MM):Â 1
Digital in (optical / coax):Â 1 / 1
USB (iPhone, iPod):Â 1
Multichannel pre-out:Â 2.2
Subwoofer out:Â 2
Power output (8 ohm / 6 ohm):Â 75 W / 100 W
Dimensions (WDH):Â 17.3" x 14.9" x 4.1"
Weight:Â 18.1 lb |
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