Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5042 True Tape Emulation

Portico 5042 True Tape Emulation description:

The Portico 5042 provides a remarkable simulation of true tape sound through the inclusion of genuine tape drive circuitry. When the Tape circuit is not engaged, the 5042 may be used as a full, transformer-coupled, high-performance line amplifier that includes a Gain range of + and – 12 dB. The Portico 5042 Two Channel "True Tape" Emulation and Line Driver unit’s emulation circuit provides the nostalgic rounding and compression usually only achieved by the use of tape. This typically offsets the harshness often found in digital recordings. The Portico 5042 incorporates an actual tape drive circuit that feeds a tiny magnetic “head” which, in turn, is coupled to a correctly equalized, replay amplifier. The only thing missing is the tape itself!

The Portico 5042 consists of two identical Line Driving amplifiers having transformer balanced inputs and outputs. The sonic quality of these amplifiers is such that, by providing galvanic isolation, simple single-sided circuit topology and freedom from grounding problems they are capable of enhancing the sonic quality of many signal sources, especially those of digital origin. The sonic “signature” is one of extreme purity and the image is consistent with that of Rupert Neve’s original designs of 35 – 40 years ago.

Portico 5042 Features:

• Noise: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 400 Hz-22 kHz, Terminated 40 Ohms Balanced. With Gain at Unity Better than –100 dBu.
• Frequency Response: Measured at +10dBu, trim at unity.
• Main Output: @ 10 Hz. –0.50 dB, @ 160 kHz –3 dB
• Maximum Output Level: Balanced and Floating Transformer Output: +25 dBu.
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise: @ 1kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load. Better than 0.0015%. @ 20Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.250% typical. Mostly 2nd and 3rd Harmonic
• Crosstalk: Measured Channel to Channel: Better than –90 dB @ 16kHz
• Buss Output: Output is designed to feed the RND 5014 Buss-mixer, Monitor Amplifier at the internal system level of –2.5 dBu. Output level of the Rupert Neve Designs 5014 is then equal to that of the 5042.

Tape FX Specifications (Measurements with tape circuit engaged)

• Maximum Output Level: Gain trim at Unity, Saturation at Min: +25 dBu, Gain trim at Unity, Saturation at Max: +6 dBu
• Noise: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 400Hz-22kHz, input terminated 40 Ohms Balanced. With Gain at Unity, aturation control at Min: Better than –70 dBu. With Gain at Unity, Saturation control at Max: Better than –90 dBu
• Frequency Response: Tape engaged, 7.5 IPS -3 dB @ 16 kHz . Tape engaged, 15 IPS -3 dB @ 20 kHz . Low frequency response varies with input gain and saturation settings.
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise: Tape Engaged: Approximately 1-2% 2nd and 3rd Harmonic below 1 kHz
• Crosstalk: Masured Channel-to-Channel, Maximum Saturation: Better than –80 dB @ 16kHz