A tube pentode hybrid microphone and instrument preamplifier, our flagship product!

Creamer Dual Pentode Preamplifier

(click on image to enlarge)

Just like there are many different kinds of fruits, there are many approaches to preamp design. We decided to go for a very colored and warm, as opposed to neutral sound, since it delivers a great tone for most applications.

It’s a challenge to create a smooth sounding tube (valve) preamp without making it fuzzy, blurry or dark. Almost every tube mic  pre  (especially vintage designs)  relies on multiple, cascaded tube stages, the last of which (usually a push-pull stage) drives an output transformer. The secondary winding of that transformer is split: the larger part drives the load (your recorder input, compressor, etc…) while the smaller is fed back to the first tube. There’s often a pot in that branch that regulates the overall gain.

Negative feedback reduces the distortion of the whole circuit, but in the process, a lot of desirable tube harmonics are sacrificed. In an attempt to design a better tube pentode preamp, we decided to forgo this standard approach and have a single EF86 pentode as the only active gain stage. To drive the output transformer, we use a modern discrete transistor buffer circuit, unavailable in the old days. This hybrid based pentode design approach helps preserve detail in the sonic image.

The result? An abundance of pleasing harmonics.  The preamp sounds richly colored, but still very transparent. Due to this concept there is no standard input gain control, however 2 push-button switches control the gain. And because the tube is fed by a stabilized 275V supply, the headroom is huge. Not easy to overload.

The DI (High-Z input) bypasses the input transformer, and behaves similar to a guitar or bass amp input stage. Very tubey sound.

Unlike some highly popular pro-audio gear manufacturers who use cheap Chinese transformers, we use only the highest quality Cinemag types on both input and output. To increase the gain by additional 6dB’s and to have less coloration, the output can be switched to solid state. This may be just what you need for your dark sounding, low signal output ribbon microphones.

The bottom line: An amazing sounding microphone and instrument preamplifier that excels  on everything you throw at it: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, acoustic instruments, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

design concept: (tube) pentode hybrid preamp, transformer input and output
2 tube modes: triode and pentode
2 channels
Switchable input impedance (for mic input only): 900Ohm, 10000Ohm (10k), 2400Ohm
Frequency response: 10Hz-50kHz +/- 3dB
Maximum gain: 68dB transformer output, 74dB solid-state output
Harmonic distortion: <2% before clipping level, quickly decreases if driven less.
Maximum output level: 22dBu
Minimum output load: 600Ohm
Connectors: XLR mic and output, balanced only
Instrument input: 1/4” unbalanced, mono
Power consumption: 30W

The Creamer can be ordered with Ni-Fe alloy or pure Steel output transformers:

Creamer A:  2 Ni-Fe alloy core output transformers
Creamer B:  2 pure Steel core output transformers (those sound even warmer, but less high frequency detail. Think Neve or API)
Creamer AB:  Ch1 with Ni-Fe transformer, Ch2 with pure Steel.

Please specify mains voltage when ordering: 115VAC or 220-240VAC.

We can also give you different input impedances, please call or email for more info.

We give a one year warranty on parts and labor. In the event you need to send your preamp for repair, please call for an RMA number first.

Creamer Plus

Same as the Creamer but with an added line input with a separate 1:1 transformer on each input. Great for inserting into the mix buss or individual tracks for tonal coloration! The Line gain is the same as that of the instrument input, except that it is transformer balanced.
A switchable two position high and low frequency boost can be handy when tracking to add air or fatness to the signal. It utilizes the tube gain stage, without adding another one. The idea is to keep the circuit simple, to preserve detail and transients.
The intensity of the boost can be adjusted with 2 trim-pots. The use of inductors yields a very musical sound.
The manual explains more, please click below to download.

Download Creamer Manual Here (PDF)