The Vanad 500 is a microphone, line, and instrument preamplifier in API 500 format, built by IGS Audio with Carnhill transformers on both input and output. Carnhill is a British transformer manufacturer closely associated with the tonal character of classic Neve consoles – their use in a 500-series module delivers the warm, dense colour and saturation behaviour of that lineage in a single rack slot. All front-panel controls are stepped switches, ensuring full session recall without relying on marked positions or photographs. Total available gain reaches 60 dB, with 3 dB resolution on both IN and OUT switches providing precise control over the gain staging relationship: the input stage and Carnhill transformer can be driven deliberately while the output attenuator keeps the level feeding the next device in the chain under control.
Three source types from one module
The Vanad 500 handles dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones via the XLR input (accessible from the rear panel and the front panel), line-level signals from keyboards or outboard processors through the same XLR path, and guitars and basses directly through the Hi-Z input on the front panel. The Hi-Z input routes the instrument signal directly to the input grid without an active buffer stage, which at appropriate gain settings gives access to the Carnhill transformer saturation character using electric guitar or bass as the source. The 6 dB/oct highpass filter with OFF/30/100 Hz steps removes low-frequency rumble or mechanical noise without requiring a separate filter module downstream. Phantom power +48V covers condenser microphones; the phase reverse switch Ø operates independently of source type.
Gain staging as a tool – IN and OUT as separate controls
Separating the input gain control (IN: 0 dB Line to +30 dB Mic, 3 dB steps) from the output level control (OUT: 0 dB to +30 dB, 3 dB steps) allows the engineer to deliberately drive the first gain stage and the Carnhill transformer while maintaining a controlled output level feeding the rest of the chain. This is the same technique used on classic Neve-format consoles, where the first amplifier stage was intentionally operated in light saturation territory. Maximum input level for line signals is +20 dBu; maximum output level is +22 dBm. THD up to 0.2% – in the context of a transformer-based preamp with this lineage, that figure reflects the intended tonal character rather than a limitation. SNR exceeds 99 dB with frequency response held to ±0.1 dB across 20 Hz – 20 kHz.
KEY FEATURES
- Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifier, API 500 format, mono
- Carnhill transformers on input and output – fully balanced signal path
- All controls as stepped switches (3 dB per step)
- Separate IN (0 to +30 dB) and OUT (0 to +30 dB) switches – flexible gain staging
- Hi-Z input on the front panel for guitar and bass direct
- XLR input accessible from both rear and front panel
- HPF 6 dB/oct: OFF / 30 / 100 Hz
- Phantom power +48V
- Phase reverse switch
- SNR: above 99 dB
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: microphone/line/Hi-Z preamplifier, API 500, mono
- Transformers: Carnhill (input and output)
- Input impedance: 1 kΩ (balanced, Carnhill)
- Output impedance: 600 Ω (balanced, Carnhill)
- Input gain (IN): 0 dB (Line) – +30 dB (Mic), 3 dB steps
- Output level (OUT): 0 dB – +30 dB, 3 dB steps
- PAD: -30 to 0 dB, 3 dB steps
- Total gain: 60 dB
- Maximum input level (LINE): +20 dBu
- Maximum output level: +22 dBm
- THD: up to 0.2%
- Frequency response: ±0.1 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- SNR: above 99 dB
- HPF: OFF / 30 / 100 Hz (6 dB/oct)
- Phantom power: +48V
- Power supply: ±16 V
- Current consumption: 60 mA
- Dimensions (H×W×D): 132×37×158 mm
- Weight: 900 g
