Avalon M5 Pure Class A Half Rack Preamplifier

No longer available at zZounds
Recording vocals? Get this mic pre in your signal path! The all-discrete Avalon M5 captures every detail with warmth and clarity. And it has a DI input, too!

Capture the essence of your recording, while adding clarity and warmth, with the Avalon M5 microphone preamplifier -- an all-around excellent choice for getting the purest tones from your vocals and acoustic instruments. The solid-state M5 mic preamp combines an advanced transformer input stage with twin Pure Class A cascode FET and bipolar discrete amplifiers in order to provide reliable, high-performance audio that you can count on. It even features an active direct input (DI) so you can plug in and directly record bass, guitars, and keyboards. With high headroom, low noise, and a 100 percent discrete design, this solid mic pre promises to capture pure tone from a range of sources.

What's in the Box

The discrete M5 features state-of-the-art, balanced 100 percent discrete, dual Pure Class A signal amplifiers, and a sophisticated-looking, yet practical front panel that puts all the essential functions at your fingertips. Fine-tune your mic and filter settings with dedicated knobs, check your levels with a large VU meter, and have full control over transformer coupled inputs. Built to withstand many years of use, the hardware is rugged and solid as can be. Keep the M5 in your studio or take it on tour. Either way, the ruggedly built, half-rack preamp is sure to find a home in your setup.

Get In on High-Performance Avalon Action with the M5

Although the Avalon M5 does an amazing job capturing guitars, bass, and keyboards, it especially shines on vocals. Since 1986, read more Avalon's preamps have been a mainstay in the recording sessions and studios of some of the world's most famous lead vocalists, and they been featured on thousands of best-selling albums and live performances. The M5 draws upon the company's legacy, giving recording musicians yet another source for musical, dynamic sound.

Sweet Signal Path Design

Its advanced true symmetry design lends the M5 high headroom, extended bandwidth, and exceptionally low noise, making it a no-brainer choice for capturing and enhancing your recording. The M5 uses its Pure Class A signal amplifiers to optimize your performance with harmonic detail that sounds natural and rich.

Features:

- Class A, half-rackspace microphone preamplifier
- 100% discrete design
- Smooth musical detail and sonic excellence
- Minimum audio signal path
- High-performance input transformer
- Microphone and Hi-Z inputs to +36 dB
- Very low noise -126 dB
- High headroom +30 dB
- Gain switched in 2 dB steps to +64 dB
- DC coupled Class-A output
- Active DI input for the direct recording of bass, guitars, and keyboards
- Large illuminated professional VU meter
- Twin LED peak signal indicators
- Regulated +48V phantom power supply
- Low distortion less than 0.5% THD and IMD
- Variable passive highpass (bass cut) filter
- All signal routing with sealed silver relays
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Circuit Topology: Twin cascode FET and bipolar low level input signal stages. High-voltage, 100% discrete, symmetrical high-bias Pure Class A amplifiers.
Input Type and Load: Superior transformer, balanced low-ratio 1500 ohm input load.
Maximum Mic Level: +36dB balanced XLR pin 2 hot (with -20dB passive attenuator).
Maximum Instrument Level +30dB balanced 600 ohms, DC coupled, discrete Class A.
Input Attenuator: -20dB resistive pre transformer primary, sealed silver relay.
Phantom Power: +48v regulated 50mA capability, sealed silver relay.
High Pass Filter: Passive, variable from 30Hz to 185Hz @ 6dB per octave, sealed silver relay.
Polarity Reverse: Sealed silver relay on microphone input.
Gain Range Input: +20dB to +64dB in 2dB steps.
Maximum Output Level: +30dB unbalanced 600 ohms, DC coupled, discrete symmetrical Pure Class A.
Output Type: XLR connector, pin 2 hot (optional balanced JT-1 transformer).
Noise EIN Unweighted: -126dB 150 ohm.
Noise 20kHz Unweighted: -100dB
Distortion THD, IMD: 0.05% nominal
- Frequency Response -3dB: 1Hz to 120kHz transformer limit.
- System Bandwidth: DC to 1MHz
- Output Meter: High quality, illuminated analog VU meter 0dB = +4dB.
- Peak Meter: Bi-color LED's 0dB and +20dB peak detection circuit.
- M5 Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.5 x 12 in (216 x 88 x 305mm) half rack width.
- Weight: 15lbs (6.8kg)
- Dimensions of Shipping Carton: 24 x 21.5 x 7.5 in (610 x 546 x 190mm)
- Weight-Packed: 25lbs (11.4kg) includes B2T power supply and cables.
- AC power supply B2T: External toroidal 100V to 240V, 50-60Hz selectable,
150 watts maximum.
- Cables: 1 x 8ft 4 pin ac cable, 1 x 8ft standard IEC cable included.
- Dimensions: 5 x 7 x 3.25 in (127 x 177 x 83mm)
- Weight: 7lbs (3.2kg)
- Rack mount kit (1) RM-1: Single M5 19 inch rack mount kit (holds one half rack unit).
- Rack mount kit (2) RM-2: Dual M5 19 inch rack mount kit (holds two half rack units).

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 949-492-2000

Avalon M5 Pure Class A Half Rack Preamp

The Avalon M5 Pure Class A microphone preamplifier is one of the most musical, low-noise, full-function preamps available today. Designed to optimize absolute signal integrity and musical performance, the M5 combines an advanced transformer input stage with twin high-performance Class A cascode FET and bipolar discrete amplifiers, for sonic excellence unequaled by lesser designs. The M5 is ideal for vocal and acoustic instruments, with an active DI input for the direct recording of bass, guitars and keyboards.

Features include state-of-the-art, balanced 100% discrete, Pure Class A signal amplifiers, practical user features and rugged hardware designed to deliver true high performance audio for many years.

Designed for Ultimate Music Recording

Avalon preamplifiers have been in use since 1986. They have found their way into the world's most famous lead vocalists recording sessions and studios and been featured on thousands of the best selling (and sounding) albums and live performances.

Minimum Signal Path Design

Avalon's advanced true symmetry design offers high-voltage, large headroom, extended bandwidth and very low noise. The use of 100% discrete, Pure Class A signal amplifiers give the serious music professional unlimited sonic character and a natural harmonic detail that enhances the program material and becomes one with the music itself.

Vocalist's Dream Machine

The M5 microphone preamplifier is the first choice when you are looking to capture a full bodied, dynamic, musical performance from the intimate depths within the artist. The M5 will make your vocal recordings musical masterpieces!

Features:

- Pure Class A, 100% discrete design
- Smooth musical detail and sonic excellence
- Minimum audio signal path
- High performance input transformer
- Microphone and Hi-Z inputs to +36dB
- Very low noise -126dB
- High headroom +30dB
- Gain switched in 2dB steps to +64dB
- DC coupled Pure Class A output
- Large illuminated professional VU meter
- Twin LED peak signal indicators
-Regulated +48v phantom power supply
- Low distortion less than 0.5% THD and IMD
- Variable passive high pass (bass cut) filter
- All signal routing with sealed silver relays

No longer available at zZounds

In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer