STEREO PAIR - THE LISTED PRICE IS FOR TWO UNITS.

These are the rarer, early versions built with germanium transistors, predating the later silicon-transistor models. This listing is for a pair of these early germanium EAG channel strips, each featuring a microphone preamp, an inductor-based EQ, and an output amplifier.

U.S. SHIPPING — DDP / NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES UPON DELIVERY

Orders shipped to the United States are sent DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). No additional charges will be due upon delivery.

ABOUT THE CHANNEL STRIPS

EAG was a Hungarian manufacturer of professional audio and broadcasting equipment. Although less widely known internationally than some of its Western European contemporaries, its equipment offers impressive engineering, robust construction, and distinctive vintage sound.

Each unit contains three original modules from a vintage EAG Hungarian broadcasting console, forming a complete channel strip. All three modules use fully discrete circuitry and high-quality components, with sound and build quality comparable to highly regarded equipment of the era from manufacturers such as TAB, WSW, and Siemens.

Each racked unit consists of:

1. A fully discrete, transformer-balanced microphone preamp with a three-position high-pass filter.
2. A fully discrete, three-band inductor-based EQ with three-position high-cut and low-cut filters.
3. A fully discrete, transformer-balanced output amplifier.

THE PREAMP

The preamp offers up to 72 dB of gain, a low-cut filter, and a toroidal input transformer. Each racked unit also provides +48 V phantom power for condenser microphones.

The output fader has a stepped action, similar to the Painton faders found in vintage EMI consoles.

The preamp has a musical, characterful sound that helps sources stand out beautifully in a mix.

THE EQUALIZER

The EQ is fully discrete and uses five large inductors. It offers three boost/cut bands:

• High shelf: 12.5 kHz
• Broad midrange bell with six selectable frequencies: 700 Hz, 1 kHz, 1.4 kHz, 2 kHz, 2.8 kHz, and 4 kHz
• Low shelf: 63 Hz

It also features separate filters:

• High-cut filter: 12.5 kHz, 8 kHz, and 5 kHz
• Low-cut filter: 180 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz

The filters interact beautifully with the shelving bands, allowing useful combinations of boost and cut with a Pultec-like approach to shaping the response.

The EQ delivers a tight, impactful low end, a natural and musical midrange, and a beautifully smooth top end. Please see the photos for a closer look at the construction and components.

With the preamp set to its lowest gain setting, a line-level signal can be fed through the channel strip to use the EQ during mixing.

The third module is a transformer-balanced output amplifier providing an additional 6–24 dB of gain, for up to 96 dB of combined gain with the preamp.

A four-position rotary switch on the rear of each unit selects the output amplifier gain: +6, +12, +18, or +24 dB.

Together, the three modules preserve the original console channel’s signal path.

Both units have been fully serviced, recapped, and tested. Each has been professionally fitted into a custom wooden enclosure with a built-in 110/220 V power supply that also provides +48 V phantom power.

Mike Bridavsky of Russian Recording shared the following comments about his EAG channel strip:

“As a recording engineer and studio owner for more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of using some of the finest recording equipment ever manufactured. At this stage in my career it is rare for me to use something that truly blows me away and provides me with something special that I don’t already get from another unit. This EAG channel strip is one of those units. As soon as you pick it up, you can tell that it’s a serious piece of gear, and the rack job is spectacular. And as soon as you feel the hearty kerchunk of switches, you can tell that it was made to withstand a nuclear war (like, literally). But it’s not until you actually use it that you understand how special it is. My first time using it was on an electric bass amp, and I was quite literally floored by its fidelity. It had an impressively musical weight and clarity with a “glowing” quality that really helped the busy and featured bass line cut through the mix. Boosting the low band gave the bass a super tight and big bottom end that wasn’t at all boomy or muddy. It’s a perfect preamp for anything that you want to stand out – vocals, guitar solos, piano, bass, snare, etc. After my first day with it in the studio, I immediately purchased a second one. At this price, it doesn’t get any better, new or vintage.”

Both units have been fully serviced and tested and are in full working order. Due to their vintage nature, they are sold as-is, with no returns.