amplifier

At the 2008 Winter NAMM Show, Eric Barbour of Metasonix introduced the G-1000 Fucking Fucker (not the sucking fucker), a high-end tube amp that brings Barbour’s interest in using using vacuum tubes in original ways to amps.

We caught up with Eric at the show and this was what he had to say about the new amp.

NAMM Show: DigiTech, a leading manufacturer of guitar and bass multi-effects processors, and a Harman International, introduced the GSP1101 1U Modeling Preamp/Processor.

Featuring the latest in modeling from DigiTech, the new 1U rack processor will include two AudioDNA2 super chips exclusively designed by DigiTech. The GSP1101 will feature top-level control knobs such as Gain, Bass, Mid-range, Treble and Amp Level for quick, easy tone shaping as well as front panel guitar input and headphone output are for easy access.

Additional features include: Over 120 amp, cabinet, preamp and effects models including vintage stompboxes, 40 Tone and 40 Effects Libraries totalling 1600 exclusive DigiTech tone combinations, a large LCD screen, a stereo effects loop, global EQ, balanced stereo XLR and 1/4″ outputs, an internal power supply, a chromatic Tuner, USB computer connectivity with audio streaming and editor software, MIDI in and Thru and expression and footswitch inputs.

A targeted MSRP has been set at $779.95 with expected delivery in the Spring of 2007.

NAMM: Denon Professional announced the new DN-A7100 A/V Surround Preamplifier.

Designed specifically for surround sound decoding in installed sound, house of worship, broadcast, conference and studio monitoring applications, the DN-A7100 provides a flexible array of features suited for fully balanced 5.1 and 7.1 surround playback. This dedicated professional quality surround preamp was developed based on feedback from leading industry contractors and system integrators to incorporate the most sought-after features needed for today’s high-definition multi-channel formats.

The DN-A7100 is equipped with 7.1 unbalanced line inputs, 2 stereo balanced XLR inputs and 8 balanced XLR line outputs for ultimate quality and ease of integration whether used with multi-amped line array speaker systems, small boardroom installations, or active home theater/boardroom monitoring systems. All XLR connections are +4 dB/-10 dB switchable for added signal compatibility. Four Optical and two Coaxial digital inputs are also included. Additional HDMI 2-source video switching capability is included and employs integrated Convert to Component adaptability for transforming composite and/or S-video sources to component video without compromising video quality.

Featuring 192 kHz/24-bit Crystal DAC’s for all 8 channels and 32-bit digital surround processing chipset architecture, the DN-A7100 supports the latest in surround sound format playback options including Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital, DTS ES (Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1, Neo:6) Decoding, Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Movie, Music, Game) and Circle Surround II (Movie, Music, Mono). The DN-A7100 additionally features an AM/FM tuner, serial RS-232C remote capabilities for AMX/Crestron and other third party integrated control systems, HDCD decoding capabilities and XM Satellite Radio compatibility.

The Denon Professional DN-A7100 A/V Surround Preamplifier represents a complete solution for any surround sound application requiring superior sound quality and signal integrity, without the use of quality-degrading adapters or cumbersome consumer components not well suited for the job. Utilized as the main control interface for any surround monitoring system, the new DN-A7100 offers a practical and cost-effective approach to multi-channel audio distribution and playback.

The Denon Professional DN-A7100 A/V Surround Preamplifier ships February 2007 with a U.S. MSRP of $1099.99.

TheAirtightGarage has introduced the BunnyMkII amplifier, a small form factor amplifier using a single ten inch speaker. It is of minimalist design, having only a single channel and a single volume control.

The amplifier puts out 18 watts of class A single ended power via two L6GCs. One tube can be pulled to bring the power down to around 10 watts. The amp is self biasing, and mached pairs are not needed. The BunnyMkII is also capable of running 6V6GT output tubes for reduced output power and a change in tone, again with no adjustments needed. The front end is tube driven utilizing a single 12ax7.

This is not your papas small clone single ended amp. This amp is very loud for its size, does not give up when hammered and tends to like pedals very much. It growls without barking.

The BunnyMkII comes standard in cypress with a Weber ceramic speaker and 6L6GCs. Options are available upon request.

TheAirtightGarage is a boutique amplifier builder that creates new amps with vintage feel and sound.

For more information see the BunnyMkII at TheAirtightGarage.

Universal Audio has announced the development of the 2-LA-2 Twin T4 Leveling Amplifier. Based on the classic LA-2A design, the new 2-LA-2 offers two linked or independent channels and two T4 optical compression cells per channel, greatly expanding the uses of the original LA-2A. The 2-LA-2 will ship worldwide in Q1 2007. Final pricing will be announced at the time of first customer ship but as with the 2-1176, will offer a significant discount over purchasing two classic units.

“The 2-LA-2 is a feature-enhanced stereo evolution of the classic LA-2A sound redesigned to fit neatly into a 2U rack.” said Mike Barnes, VP of Marketing for Universal Audio. “Uniquely, the 2-LA-2 offers twin T4 cells (one fast and one slow) on each channel which means the 2-LA-2 can be used in conventional dual mono “classic” mode or in fast recovery mode as a stereo bus or drum group compressor which opens up many potential new uses of the LA-2A sound in recording, broadcast and live sound markets. ”

2-LA-2 Key Features

• Sound and circuit of the original Teletronix LA-2A
• Matched slow and fast optical T4 modules
• Linked stereo or dual mono operation
• 2U Rack, Custom UA Transformers, audiophile components
• Designed by original UREI(r) engineer, Dennis Fink

“With ten tubes and four T4 gain reduction modules, the 2-LA-2 is a real breakthrough in optical compression.” said Dennis Fink, Chief analog designer on 2-LA-2. “The real design challenge was to retain all the essence of the “LA” sound within a brand new circuit layout and squeeze it into the desired standard 2U rack. While the 2-LA-2 is not an exact component clone of our classic hand-wired LA-2, this new product created a great opportunity to evolve the next generation of the LA optical compression sound. By adding some extra unique features such as the twin socketed T4 cells on each channel, the 2-LA-2 even allows hardcore tweakers to substitute T4 modules to “tune” compression.”

More information is available at the Universal Audio site.