From Our Research Team:

High-headroom 2-channel pre with tubes!

Aphex's 1100 mkII adds high-quality tube tone to your rig with a ton of high-end features. This superbly crafted new breed of advanced tube mic preamp reaches far beyond mere technical excellence to deliver sound that is uniquely involving, compelling, and real. The 2-channel 1100 mkII gives you up to 20 dB more headroom than conventional preamps, allowing you to record hotter tracks with the highest possible digital resolution. Get great-sounding high-resolution recording with a touch of tube sweetness with the 1100 mkII!

Aphex 1100 mkII at a Glance:

• MicLim Circuit
  
• Tunable low-cut servo filter
  
• Tube discrete Class-A differential second stage
  
• Transformerless discrete Class-A input stage
  
• Tube discrete Class-A output stage
  
• Digital section

MicLim Circuit
A custom designed optical attenuator, located directly on the mic input line, smoothly limits the microphone's output signal according to the MicLim peak detector's control current. Since attenuation comes prior to preamplification, the proprietary MicLim can increase the Model 1100's effective headroom by typically 15dB. MicLim detects the preamplifier's output signal and instructs the input attenuator to proportionately reduce the microphone's output level just enough to prevent clipping. MicLim has no effect at all when the preamplifier's output level is not approaching clipping. An impedance selector allows for use with microphones with low output (source) impedance.

Tunable low-cut servo filter
This unusual design meshes a tunable second order (12 dB/octave) low-cut filter into the nodal intersections of the first and second amplifying stages in a so-called "servo" configuration. This servo affects only the frequencies below the low-cut corner frequency, contributing nothing to the audible signal. Imposing the servo filter in such a manner gives the preamp about 20 dB more overload headroom in the low-cut range compared to conventional techniques. Additionally, the added subsonic headroom afforded by the low-cut servo filter eliminates the need for MicLim to respond to subsonic signals, eliminating the undesirable effect of limiting the input signal in response to excessive subsonic energy. The low-cut shape follows a Butterworth response slightly modified to improve the transitional phase.

Tube, discrete Class-A differential second stage
The unique, Aphex-patented "Reflected Plate Amplifier" tube circuit is configured as a single-triode differential opamp to further enhance the preamplifier's common-mode rejection. This novel circuit topology subtly imparts the tube's sonic warmth and character while retaining a long and stable operating life.

Transformerless discrete Class-A input stage
No outer feedback is used, eliminating the possibility of any dynamic interaction with the microphone's self-impedance. The input impedance remains passive, providing an optimal load for any microphone. The solid state, Class-A PNP bipolar design achieves high common-mode rejection with extremely low noise, wide bandwidth, and low distortion at all gain settings. Robust input overload protection assures that all performance features will be retained indefinitely. The gain is adjustable in 4dB precision steps from 21 to 65dB.

Tube discrete Class-A output stage
An Aphex patented "Reflected Plate Amplifier" tube circuit is configured as a low distortion triode buffer having a very low output impedance and high output current drive. The maximum output level of +27 dBu into 600 ohms meets the needs of any professional application. Matched-impedance balancing assures top performance whether driving balanced or unbalanced lines. A rear panel switch is assigned to insert a 12 dB low impedance pad into the output line for systems based on IHF (semi-pro) operating levels. Rear panel XLR 3-pin and 1/4 inch phone jacks are both provided for balanced output.

Digital section
The A/D converter receives signal from the soft mute stage just prior to the analog output level control and triode output stage. This means you can use BOTH the digital and analog outputs independently, with full and proper calibration of both regardless of the analog output level settings. The analog and digital outputs respond equally to the input gain, low-cut filter, and all front end conditioning effects.

Aphex 1100 mkII Features:

• Discrete Class A Bipolar PNP Solid State Front End
  
• Second Stage Reflected Plate Amplifier Tube Circuit
  
• Sweepable Low Frequency Cancellation Filter (LoCaf)
  
• MicLim Limiter on the microphone input itself makes the 1100 virtually crashproof
  
• Drift Stabilized A/D Circuitry eliminates the need for high pass filtering in the digital domain
  
• Third stage Reflected Plate Amplifier Tube Circuit Discrete Class A Impedance Balanced Output Stage
  
• Front panel peak headroom meter and function controls
  
• Precision three-turn output level attenuator
  
• Full featured AES/EBU digital audio output
  
• Noiseless muting via rear panel Mute Jack
  
• Ramped 48-volt phantom power circuit
  
• Linear, internal low-noise power supply
  
• 20dB pad and Phase Reverse are switched by bifurcated gold-contact relays
  
• Preamp Gain: 21dB to 65dB in 4dB steps
  
• Output match trim: 3-turn precision potentiometer 0 to -12dB range
  
• Digital Output Resolution: 24-bit
  
• Digital Output Sample Rate: up to 196kHz selectable

Aphex's 1100 mkII adds tube richness to your digital rig!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number 1100 mkII

What Does "Special Order" Mean? A special-order product is one that we don't normally keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We have great relationships with all the manufacturers we carry, so we can get your special order to you as fast as or faster than anyone else. Remember that special orders are non-returnable and non-cancelable, so make sure the item is right for you. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you decide - call (800) 222-4700 for assistance!