Click to enlarge

The older style faceplate (shown above) has been retired. I am now using the pointer knob for gain and the same faceplate that is available for the VP26 kit builds. In the world of professional audio, high quality microphone preamplifiers are everywhere you look these days. Even with so many choices available, the VP26 is a unique beast that delivers a sound all it's own. That sonic footprint is very much like the mic preamps from the legendary mid 1970's American made consoles, better known for the "West coast" or "LA" sound. High quality, sometimes custom component selection is crucial to achieve this sound. All discrete, vintage style circuitry with 60 db of overall gain Continuously variable control of Preamp Gain over a 34 db range Mute switch for quiet & safe switching of microphones Polarity reversal 20 db Pad for input attenuation 48V switchable phantom power Fully variable, custom made output attenuator Custom made, Ed Anderson EA2622 1:7 input transformer Custom made, Ed Anderson EA2623-1 output transformer Standard 2520 DOA footprint mounts in Mill-Max sockets Standard 500 series compatible GroupDIY 51X Compatible MSRP = $590.00 The heart of the VP26 is a discrete operational amplifier with the common and industry standard 2520 footprint. The DOA is fitted to the printed circuit board with the use of high quality Mill-Max sockets. Swapping out DOA's is a snap! The base priced VP26 is sold without a DOA. If you are lucky enough to own a few vintage Melville or Huntington DOA's…just 'plug-n-play'! They will be right at home in the VP26. We also have the option of adding one of the two great 2520's that we represent. First, we have the gar2520 which is a nine transistor DOA hand built and tested by Gary Barnett of Barnett Industries in Amherst Ohio. Second, is the SL-2520 Red Dot. The SL-2520 is a ten transistor DOA hand built and tested by Scott Liebers of Scott Leibers' Labs in Minneapolis Minnesota. For the transformer coupling of the input and output, we employ two custom designed Ed Anderson transformers. Ed has spent countless hours over a few years prototyping these transformers. The EA2622 input transformer is a sonic replica of the vintage AP2622 and the EA2623-1 is Ed's replication of the vintage AP2623-1 output transformer. These fantastic transformers are a critical part of the VP26 sound. Possibly the most unique feature of the VP26 is the use of a custom State/Clarostat 600 ohm t-pad output attenuator. This 3-module attenuator is placed after the output transformer. This allows the engineer to drive the DOA hard, possibly saturating the output transformer, without engaging the input pad, by simply turning down the output level! This makes the VP26 an indispensable and creative tool when tracking drums. With front panel real-estate being tight, a D.I. was sacrificed for the Output Attenuator. Most all studios have at least a handful of great stand alone D.I. boxes laying around anyway. Metering was also intentionally left out of the design, forcing the engineer to set levels using the ears…not the eyes!

***Please note: The Classic VP26 is a fully assembled and tested microphone preamplifier. The base unit does not include a discrete operational amplifier. Optional DOA’s can be added to the purchase below. The base unit comes with a 3 year manufacturers warranty. Damage to the VP26 by incorrect or improper use of a discrete opamp, will void this warranty.

Additional information and photos:

Front panel

Front-R angle

Front-L angle

Side	Side close-up

This product is GroupDIY 51X Compatible