D W Fearn VT2 Stereo Tube PreAmp

VT-2 Dual Channel Vacuum Tube Microphone Preamplifier

Added an integrated, switchable 43 dB pad, so it can be used for tracking, mixdown and mastering.

The VT-series microphone preamplifiers will change the way you think of audio quality. The transparency is astounding. Vocals sound smoother, warmer, more intimate, with a compelling presence. Any microphone and any sound will benefit from the improved clarity, definition, and lack of solid-state artifacts.

The VT-2 recreates the sound of classic tube preamps of the 1960s. Modern components and computer-optimized circuitry, unavailable during the vacuum tube era, elevate this design to a new level of performance.

Design Philosophy

In designing the VT-2, no compromise in sonic quality, reliability, or ruggedness were permitted. Like the best tube equipment of the 1950s and '60s, the VT-2 is built on a heavy-guage aluminum chassis, utilizing point-to-point wiring. Each vacuum tube is selected for minimum noise and microphonics, and maximum sonic clarity. The front panel switches control sealed, gold-contact precision relays for all audio switching, eliminating the possibility of dirty contacts degrading the sound and minimizing the internal audio path. Four class-A triode amplifier sections (in two tubes) in each channel comprise the entire active circuit. This surprisingly simple circuit, along with top-quality components and careful design optimization, results in the sonic superiority that the VT-2 has become known for.

All over the globe, VT-2 preamps are in daily use in the world's best studios, as well as in home project studios, helping many top recording artists achieve the best possible sound.

 - all vacuum-tube design 
•  •- clean and airy high end 
•  •- fat low end 
•  •- unsurpassed warmth, transparency, and musicality 
•  •- Lo-Z input position for superior performance with transformerless mics 
•  •- Phase (polarity) reverse switch 
•  •+48 volt phantom power (completely disconnected when off) 
•  •- custom-design Jensen input and output transformers for superb sonics 
•  •- 20 dB input pad (switchable) 
•  •- true VU meters (amplifier isolated) 
•  •- all point-to-point audio wiring 
•  •- high-performance, fully-regulated power supplies with exceptional reserve 
•  •- gold input and output XLR connectors 
•  •- polypropylene and polystyrene coupling capacitors 
•  •- all audio switching through gold-contact, sealed precision relays 
•  •- international operation on 100, 120, or 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz 
•  •- CE certified, RoHS-compliant 
•  •+4 dBm output 
 - conservatively rated precision components and rugged construction
   for stability and long life 
•  •- line-level processing with the LP-1 Line Padaccessory
- single-channel version D.W. Fearn VT-1 also available
  - direct recording of electric instruments with the
   D.W. Fearn VT-3 Vacuum Tube DI or PDB Passive Direct Box

•  Input 150 ohms 
•  •Input Load Impedance 1.5k ohms 
•  •Minimum Input Level -65 dBm nominal 
•  •Maximum Input Level @ 20 cps -30 dBm without pad, -5 dBm with 20 dB pad 
•  •Gain 53 dB 
•  •Frequency Response +/-0.25 dB 20 cps to 20 kc; -3 dB @ 0.5 cps and 55 kc 
•  •THD+Noise less than 0.25% 20 cps to 20 kc 
•  •Intermodulation Distortion SMPTE less than 0.02% 
•  •Signal to Noise Ratio 74 dB minimum 
•  •Equivalent Input Noise -124 dBm maximum 
•  •Output low-Z, transformer-balanced 
•  •Maximum Output Level +22 dBm, 20k ohm load 
•  •Power Requirements 100, 120, or 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz 
•  •Dimensions 19" (48.26cm) W, 5.25" (13.34cm) H, 14" (35.56cm) D 
•  •Weight 18 lbs (8.16kg)