MAAG AUDIO / PREQ2500

The MAAG AUDIO/PREQ2-500 is a 1-channel microphone preamplifier from the API 500 series.

■ Microphone Preamplifier, 1-channel, API 500 Compatible

■ Microphone Preamplifier with Air Band

A single-channel API 500 series format microphone preamplifier with the same input transformer and circuit topology as the higher-end PREQ2 model.

Features a 1/4-inch instrument jack and thru jack on the front panel.

The PREQ2-500 is a single-channel API 500 series format microphone preamplifier with the same circuit topology and sound as maag audio's higher-end PREQ2 model.

The input stage features the same maag audio nickel-core input transformer as the PREQ2, providing a total of 71dB of Class A gain.

The front panel features a 1MΩ 1/4-inch instrument input jack; when connected, the input is automatically routed and automatically disconnected if phantom power is on.

The front panel also features a thru output jack that provides an unbalanced duplicate of the boosted signal, allowing you to connect a line-level signal to a guitar amplifier or effects pedal without compromising sound quality. The PREQ2-500 offers unique applications, such as re-amping and external processing signals from low-impedance microphone-level inputs or instrument 1/4"" jacks.

The PREQ2-500 features a -128dBu equivalent input noise (EIN) level, +25dBU headroom, and maag audio's signature AIR BAND EQ, selectable from 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 kHz with up to 9dB of boost.

Microphone gain can be continuously adjusted using a single large control knob, and a +25dB boost button allows switching between two ranges: +20dB to +42dB and +42dB to +71dB. This high microphone gain is noise-free and ideal for very quiet sources such as Foley/sound effects and low-output vintage microphones.

The compact front panel features a +48V phantom power switch, a -20dB pad switch, a 70Hz/12dB/Oct high-pass filter, a phase inversion switch, and an on/off switch for the AIR BAND EQ.

Product Specifications

Max Gain: 71dB

Noise level at the lowest gain setting: -100dB. EIN: -128dB

The microphone transformer feeds a differential set of front-end Class A discrete transistors paired with a FET input operational amplifier.

High and low gain push button switch. Low range: +20dB to +42dB. High range (gain +25 switch with green LED): +42dB to +71dB. Switchable -20dB pad

+48-volt phantom power, switchable, with red LED. Phase reversal switch: switches the phase of the balanced output.

Green signal present LED, red peak LED lights at +25dBu