-40%

Akai custom vintage 4 channel Tablebeast preamp

$ 1320

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Condition: Perfect condition, custom built, used in smoke free studio.
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Brand: Akai

    Description

    Vintage Tube Mic. / Line / DI. Preamp Pair
    Up for sale is a great pair of custom rebuilt vintage tube mic./line preamps (original 1960's era). These Tablebeast rebuilds of the the venerable Akai/Roberts tape deck preamps are superb examples of how vintage, all-tube mic./line amps can be utilized to provide warmth and character to recordings (for another 40 or 50 years of service). They can be adjusted to be warm and clean, or completely overdriven (as Mic. preamps, Direct Inputs, or Line amps).
    These are great DI's for bass, guitars, and keyboards!! Mic. In, Line In, and Instrument inputs provided. Additionally, input pads and phase reverse switches are included on XLR Mic. inputs. No phantom power.
    This pair comes in a beautifully handcrafted case that resembles a guitar amp head. They're in perfect working order, and ready to go.
    More info from modification website:
    Akai / Roberts Tube Monoblock Modified Amp
    Single Monoblock converted into a 2 channel Microphone Preamplifier - Rack Mount or Tabletop
    Tablebeast modified Akai / Roberts 4 channel preamp. module. Please note, this 4 channel preamplifier is made using the amplifier electronics from Akai/Roberts Tube Reel to Reel decks. Each module is taken apart completely, parts are refurbished and a whole new circuit with all new wiring and capacitors are built in the donor chassis from the ground up! This is NOT a simple, mod, tweak or recap like you'll find from other sellers. Much like a modern Street Rod car, this is effectively a brand new device made using vintage parts. Find out more details at my DIY project blog, XFMR DIY Projects
    These modules were MADE TO ORDER by hand. The modified 4x Pre chassis, when completed, consists of 4 discrete all-tube, high voltage audio preamplifier circuits inside.
    The circuits are high gain microphone preamplifier / DIs suitable for use with even low output ribbon mics. Gain is 76+ dB. It uses an EF86 and 12AU7 and has an XLR input with pad/phase switches. It also has a 1/4" DI input and a 1/4" line level input. The output per channel is a transformerless and impedance balanced type on 1/4" TRS jack that is compatible with 1/4" TS and TRS cables. For controls it has a single gain knob! Between the single gain knob and pad switch, it is all the gain control you will need. I have strived to make this design as simple and as pure of tone as possible. It has everything it needs and nothing it doesn't. There is NO phantom power on-board by design to keep it simple.  The design is original and unlike anything else you have used before. It has no negative feedback in the circuit and this makes it behave in different ways depending simply on where you have the volume knob set. It can be very non-linear and when cranked with a tremendous soundstage that compresses ever so lightly, much like hitting tape. It also stays huge with tons of headroom when used on more sane settings!
    The amp's insides were completely disassembled, assessed, redesigned and replaced where needed from the ground up. All the good parts with mojo were tested, refurbished and rearranged. However, the wiring, electrolytic caps, and many other critical parts are all new, fresh stock. The resulting amp is the best of both world's: a unique, vintage-sounding preamp but with absolutely no old-amp gremlins! The preamp channels have a shared tube rectified power
    Tablebeast Akai 2xPre Module-Modified Akai 2 Channel Preamplifier Basic Module (2x, 4ch total)
    Wood Case-Wood case made from reworked original tape machine case.
    Jensen XLR Input Package-XLR Female Jack, Input transformer, Pad/phase switches.