A Passive Stereo EQ for the Tube Purist
The D.W. Fearn VT-5 is a dual-channel tube EQ that uses updated LC-type circuitry inspired by the legendary American passive equalizers that shaped the music revolution of the 1960s. The VT-5, however, offers significantly improved signal-shaping capability than those classic EQs of yesteryear, making it perfect for modern hybrid workflows that could benefit from an injection of tube warmth and vibrancy. The VT-5’s tube circuit is derived from D.W. Fearn’s impressive-sounding VT-1 and VT-2 mic preamps, lending the equalizer a sonic character cut from the same cloth. The VT-5 employs passive Class A triode vacuum tube stages for the input and output, which are balanced via hand-selected input and custom output transformers. All the controls are stepped for effortless settings recall and precise matching between units in multichannel/mastering applications.
Related Videos: VT-5 Stereo Tube Equalizer
Audiophile circuit design
D.W. Fearn’s purist design sensibility is manifest in the VT-5’s audiophile-grade circuit path. It’s built on a robust, heavy-gauge aluminum chassis and top-drawer components such as high-quality rotary switches with 1% metal-film resistors, polystyrene and polypropylene capacitors, and hand-selected inductors are used throughout. The VT-5’s active vacuum tube input section with adjustable gain accommodates input signals as low as -10dBm. The design has been optimized to eliminate the need for an internal fan, thus keeping your control room cooler and quieter.
Great results, fast
Operationally, the VT-5’s intuitive control set makes it easy to obtain great results quickly on a wide range of audio sources. The unit’s carefully considered frequencies and boost/attenuation curves were specified after extensive listening tests involving a broad variety of program material using individual instrument and vocal tracks as well as complete mixes. The result is a versatile, highly musical-sounding EQ that can enhance any track or mix.
About D.W. Fearn
As an electronics designer, D.W. Fearn started building audio amplifiers in the 1960s, when transistors had started to become more readily available but were still expensive and of questionable sonic quality. Therefore, his earliest experience was with vacuum tubes — a solid foundation for a career that would fully blossom with the introduction of the VT-1 preamp in the early ’90s. For three decades (and counting), D.W. Fearn equipment has populated the racks of top studios worldwide and is coveted by top professionals in music, film, radio, and television. For countless recording engineers and producers, D.W. Fearn gear is an essential component in their workflow and artistry. Today, D.W. Fearn designs and hand assembles their products in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Sweetwater is proud to offer you this outstanding line of tube audio processing equipment.
D.W. Fearn VT-5 Stereo Tube Equalizer Features:
- Frequency response (EQ out): 20Hz–20kHz (+/-0.2dB)
- THD: less than 0.06%
- Signal-to-Noise: better than 80dB
- All controls are independent and may be deployed in any combination
- Low Cut: selectable at 30, 40, 100, or 400Hz, 0 to -18dB shelving in 2dB steps
- Low Boost: selectable at 20, 40, 60, or 140Hz, 0 to 16dB shelving in 2dB steps
- Mid Cut: selectable at 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700Hz, 0 to -16dB in 2dB steps
- High Boost: selectable at 1.5, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, or 16kHz, 0 to 12dB in 2dB steps
- High Bandwidth Q: selectable at 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.4, or 1.7
- High Cut: selectable at 1.5, 3.5, 8, or 28kHz, 0 to -14dB shelving in 2dB steps
- Handcrafted in the USA
