The Benchmark MPA1 is a 2-channel microphone preamplifier designed and manufactured by Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. The MPA1 is meticulously designed to Benchmark standards of transparency, ultra-low distortion, and ultra-low noise performance - making the MPA1 a perfect choice for stereo pairs, ribbon mics, and any other application where purity is the goal.
The Benchmark MPA 1 input stage is designed with high-voltage headroom and single-stage gain control to maximize signal-to-noise ratio. It maintains superb noise performance across the entire gain range by utilizing precision-matched, low-noise, transistor quad-arrays. A servo-controlled circuit minimizes DC-offset and maximizes headroom. The MPA1 exhibits exceptional low-frequency performance with a clever dual-capacitor AC-coupling design. This dual-capacitor design defeats the limitations of single-capacitor AC-coupling designs, achieving an exceptionally low corner-frequency with excellent subsonic phase-accuracy.
The gain control of the MPA1 is controlled via a 38-position, switched resistor ladder, set up in a continuously rotating orientation via relay control. This gain control circuit offers 2 dB per step, 0-74 dB of gain without attenuation, and inter-channel gain precision of +/- 0.03 dB. A make-beforebreak scheme creates a silent switching circuit. The transistor stage is protected from phantom power surges with an ultra-fast, multi-stage protection circuit. This circuit utilizes the high-speed capabilities of low-capacitance Schotky diodes and the high-current capabilities of TVS diodes to absorb the phantom power surges caused by shorts and plugging/unplugging microphones with +48V on. This circuit is pre-biased so that it is isolated from the circuit in normal operation and activated when a surge occurs.
The Benchmark MPA1 main features include:
- Automatic gain-range switching with LED range-indicators
- 38-position discrete linear gain switching (2 dB / step)
- Switchable 40-Hz high-pass fi lter
- Switchable polarity invert
- Independently switchable +48V phantom power
- HPA2TM - Benchmark's signature high-current, 0-Ohm headphone amplifier
- 4-segment, precision LED meters
- Recessed phantom switch to prevent accidental switching
- Phantom-power disable jumper for dedicated ribbon mic operation
- Phantom-protection circuitry prevents damage from phantom-power surges
- Internal, toroidal linear power supply
- High-quality gold Neutrik connectors
- Ultra-low noise / distortion
- RF-immunity over a wide bandwidth (500kHz)
- Maximum input / output: +29 dBu
Benchmark Media MPA1 2 Channel Microphone Preamplifier (code 60040)
Designed to Benchmark standards of transparency, ultra-low distortion, and ultra-low noise performance - making the MPA1 a perfect choice for stereo pairs and ribbon mics.
£1,499.99 (inc vat)