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TK Audio unveil SP502 preamp

Features vintage and modern output stages

TK Audio SP502 500-series microphone preamplifier selectable vintage modern Class-A transformer-balanced output

TK Audio’s latest 500-series module, the SP502 microphone preamplifier, aims to provide both vintage and modern sounds in a single unit by pairing a transformerless input with two selectable output stage designs.

The SP502 features a newly designed transformerless input stage, offering users a clean and transparent front end for their recordings. Gain control is provided by a stepped switch, covering a range of 70dB in 5dB steps, whilst a sweepable high-pass filter with a 12dB slope can be set anywhere between 30 and 400 Hz. A Hi-Z input is also present, and can either be routed through the preamp section, or directly to the output stage.

Two different output stage designs are included, the first of which is electronically balanced and offers a clean tone inspired by consoles and preamps from the 80s and 90s, whilst the second utilises a Class-A transformer-balanced design that aims to emulate the sound associated with British consoles from the early 70s. By default, the unit will use the former, with users able to engage the Class-A circuitry using an switch on the front panel.

Pad and polarity switches are also provided, and those wishing to apply some extra harmonics to their input sources can take advantage of an additional saturation circuit placed after the input stage, which is engaged by pressing a Sat button on the module’s front panel.

Key Specifications

  • Power requirement: +130mA / -130mA
  • Input impedance: 2400Ω
  • Instrument input impedance: 1MΩ
  • Max output level: electronically balanced +25dBu, Class a +24dBu
  • THD+N @ +20dBu electronic balanced output: 0.0008%
  • THD+N @ +20dBu Class a output: 0.007%
  • THD+N @ +20dBu saturation active: 0.9%
  • Frequency response electronic balanced: -0,6dB at 80kHz
  • Frequency response Class-A: -0,5dB at 20kHz

Pricing & Availability

The SP502 is available now, priced at $899£669 excluding VAT / €749.

https://tkaudio.se/sp502/

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