. go to top icon

Chandler Limited Germanium Preamp/DI Microphone Preamp

SKU: APA2023-00326
  • free shipping icon
    Free Shipping
  • 36  Instalments
  • 2 years warranty
    2 Years Warranty
  • free shipping icon
    Free Shipping
  • 36  Instalments
  • 2 years warranty
    2 Years Warranty
1.394 €
Upon Order
Add to cart
apa support icon
NEED HELP?

Our expert advisors can help you.

Germanium transistor mic preamp with a warm, vintage sound

The Germanium Pre Amp/DI is an entirely new design by Wade Goeke for Chandler Limited, using classic germanium transistors in an all class A, transformer-balanced circuit. Germanium transistors were the basis of the earliest transistor designs by Neve (1053, 1055, 1057), EMI (TG12345 MKI), Telefunken and Fairchild, and anyone who has worked with those units knows their special sound.

The circuit runs on +40 V with high current and has huge headroom, up to +34 before clipping. The sound is warm and smooth, and it settles into the mix without fighting the other tracks. Chandler’s custom-wound transformers combine the best parts of favourite St Ives and Gardners transformers.

The sound of germanium

Before silicon, the first transistor consoles were built on germanium. The sound of those units, softer and more organic, is rarely found in today’s equipment. The Germanium Pre Amp/DI brings it back in a modern, reliable circuit.

Warmth that fits the mix

The Germanium is Chandler’s most vintage-sounding preamp. Vocals, bass, drums and guitars gain a smooth, rounded texture, and takes sit together without needing much processing later.

Gain and Feedback

Gain is set in 3 dB steps from −5 to +65 dB. The Feedback control changes the circuit’s negative feedback: at low settings the sound is cleaner, at high settings fuller and more driven. Together they give a wide range of colours from a single channel.

Practical functions

The Thick switch boosts the lows, the 15 dB pad handles loud sources and the dual-range LED meter clearly shows the level. Phantom power, phase reverse and a 100 kΩ DI input for instruments complete the feature set. The unit is powered by the external Chandler PSU-1.

Chandler Limited Germanium Preamp/DI Microphone Preamp
Specifications
  • Mono class A germanium transistor mic preamp and DI
  • Gain −5 to +65 dB in 3 dB steps
  • Feedback control: from +10 dB to +40 dB maximum gain
  • 200 Ω input impedance
  • 15 dB pad
  • +48 V phantom power and phase reverse
  • Thick switch for low boost
  • LED meter with two ranges: −12 to +3 dB and +5 to +20 dB
  • 1/4" mono DI input, 100 kΩ
  • XLR inputs and outputs (pin 2 hot), balanced with custom-wound transformers
  • External Chandler PSU-1 power supply (sold separately)
Write your Review

How would you rate this product?