🇺🇸【 Meris 】440 Mic Preamp 500 Series
The 440 was designed and is built in Los Angeles, as are its Cinemag transformers, which are similar to those used in the classic API 312 mic preamp. The 440 is beautifully made, feels reassuringly solid, and slots into a 500-series chassis without drama; it should last a lifetime. Despite the presence of two knobs, five switches and a pair of jack sockets, the front-panel layout is clear and easy to use. The only potential confusion for some non-US users is that, much like American light switches, the 'up' position means 'on' when engaging the 20dB pad, phase-reverse switch and 48V phantom power. And yes, technically speaking, that 'phase' switch should be marked 'polarity'!The 440's features and intended uses are perhaps best described by a trip through its circuitry. Having passed through the Cinemag CMMI-8-PCA input transformer, a signal can be boosted by up to 60dB by a hybrid discrete op-amp, before flowing through a pair of switchable filters for tonal shaping. Next comes the aforementioned FX loop, the mono return socket of which doubles as a handy front-panel DI input. Finally, the signal reaches another op-amp, offering from 27dB attenuation to 12dB boost, before hitting a Cinemag CMOQ-2S transformer on its way out.
■ Features:
• Legendary Cinemag Input and Output transformers for classic American mic pre tone
• Hybrid-Discrete opamps receiving and driving each respective transformer section
• Pedal friendly post effects loop. Interface with pedals at levels that won’t clip
• High Pass Filter selectable between 80Hz and 200Hz
• Custom 7kHz or 4kHz High Shelf filter optimized for achieving a finished tone when recording guitar
• 20dB Pad, Phase Reverse and Phantom Power toggles
• Premium components throughout the all Analog signal path
• Up to 60dB of gain at the input section• Output trim -27dB to +12dB (occurs pre-output transformer to preserve output transformer secondary impedance)
• 12dB / octave High-Pass: 80Hz or 200Hz corner frequency
• High-Shelf boost: + 3dB at 4kHz or 7kHz corner frequency
• 20Hz to 20kHz flat frequency response (+/-.3 dB) with all filters disengaged
• -130dBu EIN (A-weighted)
• 1Meg Ohm input impedance at Return/D.I. input
