Overview:
Newly-formed, California-based LaChapell Audio comes to market with two variations of hand-built vacuum tube microphone preamplifiers.
992 preamps are offered in stock as well as premium configurations. LaChapell Audio now offers two variants of the Model 992, each with its own unique input topology:
Standard 992: A transformer-less input design utilizing twin (matched) 400v ASC caps along with two USA made 6072’s per channel. This configuration provides >50dB of gain (usually about 52db) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -114 to -116dB.
Stock Standard 992 Configuration: Dual 6072’s: 1st stage (V1) using vintage black or gray plates. 2nd stage (V2) using newer USA made gray.
Premium Standard 992 Configuration: Vintage premium 6072’s used in both input stages.
Extended Gain 992: Utilizing the Jensen JT-115k input transformer and two ECC803/12AX7 vacuum tubes per channel. This configuration provides >74dB of gain (usually about 76db …) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -124 to -126dB referencing 150ohm. All other design elements are the same.
Extended Gain 992 Stock Configuration: Dual ECC803’s: Both 1st and 2nd stage using new production JJ Tesla long gray plates.
Extended Gain 992 Premium Configuration: Vintage premium ECC83/12AX7’s such as Telefunken, Mullard, Philips Miniwatt, Bugle Boy’s and others used in both input stages.
LaChapell Model 992 EG Premium Tubes
A Dual Mono, Fully Balanced Vacuum Tube Preamplifier for Commercial Recording and Broadcast. The Model 992 EG (Extended Gain) differs from the ‘TLS’ in input topology only. By utilizing the Jensen JT-115k input transformer and two ECC803/12AX7 vacuum tubes per channel, this configuration is able to provides >74dB of gain (usually about 76dB …) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -125dB referencing 150ohm. All other design elements are the same.