The PA-1 Pentode Preamp is TL Audio's top-of-the-range preamp, producing a stunning sound from any source. The PA-1 offers several improvements over its best selling forerunner, including a raven blue 6mm aluminum front panel, General Electric US military-specification ECC83/12AX7A valves, gold-plated ceramic valve bases, and circular back-lit VU meters which monitor output level. Internal circuitry has been refined too, to offer smoother frequency response around the valve stages and provide extra output gain, thus enabling easier interfacing with digital recorders.
All microphones-from an inexpensive dynamic to a top quality condenser-produce a fuller, more open and more vibrant sound when fed through the TL Audio PA-1, and instruments fed through the dedicated front panel DI input take on added weight and presence. Separate input and output level controls give the ability to drive the valve stages harder for increased warmth while being able to simultaneously control the overall output level. Switchable high- and low-pass filters, LED level indicators, and a phase reverse facility are refinements that make the PA-1 Tube Preamp a natural choice for any track laying or direct-to-tape recording situation.
The PA-1 differs from TL Audio's standard hybrid preamp design-it features a transformer coupled mic input followed by a low-noise, high-gain EF86 pentode valve. Two further triode valve stages (supplied by 250v DC) are incorporated into each channel. The instrument input bypasses the transformer and feeds straight into the pentode valve. TL Audio's usual high-drive solid state output stage completes the signal chain.
