Mono Mic Pre, Front Panel Insert, +24 V PS
ARREL Audio R-501 Elite Mic-Line Preamplifier has been conceived to offer to the 500 series user the superior audio performance of the ARREL audio higher level product lines. The unit offers to the 500 user high reliability, rugged design, outstanding audio quality, versatility and ease of use typical of the tradition of ARREL Audio products. R-501 Elite is perfect for recording every kind of music from classic, pop/rock, electronic and in all the situations (live and recording studio) where maximum sound quality and special attention to dynamic range and signal to noise ratio is needed. The R-501 Elite technical specification shows that it is the perfect audio unit also for actual digital recording 24bit/192kHz environments where superior performance is required.
R-501 Elite is based on the use of the latest circuit topologies, characterized by very low distortion, ultra-low noise and very wide frequency response. The amplifier architecture is based on two high dynamic range gain stages in order to avoid any saturation. Even if the input stage of the R-501 Elite could accept input signals up to +24 dBu, a special protection circuit limits the input level at +20 dBu in order to prevent any damage. The R-501 Elite extended input dynamic range avoids the necessity of the input pad and the gain is controlled by a single large knob. The absence of the input pad means better sonic performances. In fact the pad degrades sound quality and affects signal to noise ratio.
The R-501 Elite is powered at ± 16 VDC as the traditional 500 Series units but internally the power supply is increased to ± 24 VDC providing 32 dBu of maximum output level avoiding any output saturation.
The Line Input (unbalanced) is easily accessible from the front panel by a 1/4"' TRS jack, the jack insertion excludes the mic input. If a balanced line is connected to the Line Input, it will be automatically unbalanced (cold connected to ground).
The two bantam connectors on the front panel provide an insert point (push button) that is extremely useful permitting the “on the fly” connection of out-board units without accessing the back panel.
Four illuminated buttons are provided for Phantom Power, Phase inversion, LO-CUT filtering and Insert control. A LED bargraph (10 LEDs) is used to display the output level.
R-501 Elite is dedicated (due to his absolute sonic level quality) to high professional vocal recordings, classical instruments, high dynamic range instruments such as drums and percussions. ARREL Audio products are designed and manufactured in Italy.
