Description

For sale is my Audient ASP800 8-Channel Class-A Microphone Preamp and ADAT Converter, featuring Audient's renowned console-quality microphone preamps and two special Retro channels with HMX and IRON harmonic saturation.

I purchased this unit brand new and am its original and only owner. It has spent virtually its entire life installed in a rack in my private home studio and has seen very little actual use. It has never been part of a commercial studio or touring setup.

The ASP800 is a versatile piece of professional recording equipment, ideal for expanding a studio's recording capabilities with eight additional microphone inputs via ADAT or adding high-quality analogue preamplification to an existing setup.

Main Features

• 8 Audient Class-A microphone preamps – Based on Audient's professional console preamp architecture, delivering clean, detailed audio with plenty of headroom.
• 2 Retro Channels (Channels 1 and 2) – Featuring independently adjustable HMX MOSFET Drive and IRON Magnetic Drive for adding harmonic richness, warmth and character.
• 2 Discrete JFET Instrument Inputs – Front-panel D.I. connections for electric guitars, basses and other instruments.
• 8 Combined XLR/TRS Inputs – Accommodates microphones and balanced line-level sources.
• 48V Phantom Power – Independently switchable on all eight channels.
• -15 dB Pad – Available per channel to accommodate higher-level signals.
• Polarity Reverse – Available on the first two channels.
• Professional 24-bit A/D Conversion – Featuring Burr-Brown converter technology.
• ADAT Digital Outputs – Provides up to eight channels at 44.1/48 kHz, or eight channels at 88.2/96 kHz using dual-port SMUX.
• 8 Balanced Analogue Outputs – Available via the rear-panel DB25 connection.
• Word Clock Input – External synchronization via BNC, with selectable termination.
• Internal Power Supply – Standard EU mains connection.
• 1U Rackmount Design – Solid metal construction with integrated rack ears.

HMX & IRON – Two Special Retro Channels

• One of the standout features of the ASP800 is its two Retro channels, which offer additional analogue sound-shaping capabilities beyond conventional clean microphone preamplification.
• HMX (Harmonic MOSFET Drive) adds harmonic saturation, allowing sounds to become warmer, richer and more harmonically complex.
• IRON (Magnetic Drive) uses transformer-based saturation to introduce additional colour, weight and vintage-style character.

Both features have dedicated controls on Channels 1 and 2, making the ASP800 an interesting choice for recording vocals, drums, bass, guitars and other sources where additional analogue character is desirable.

Condition & Ownership

I bought the ASP800 new and have been its sole owner since purchase. It has been installed in a rack in my personal home studio for virtually its entire life and has been used only occasionally.

• The unit has not been transported, used for live performances or subjected to the demands of a commercial studio environment.
• Cosmetically, it remains well preserved overall, although there are some light visible cosmetic wear, as shown in the close-up photographs.
• The metal enclosure, rack ears, front and rear connectors, knobs and controls are all present.
• A recent comprehensive functional test of all eight channels, ADAT conversion, phantom power and HMX/IRON circuits has not been documented.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Important – ADAT Compatibility

The Audient ASP800 is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier and A/D converter, not a standalone USB audio interface.

Please ensure your current audio interface supports ADAT input before purchasing if you intend to use the digital outputs.

To record digitally into a computer, it needs to be connected to an audio interface with a compatible ADAT optical input. It is designed to expand an existing recording setup rather than connect directly to a computer via USB.

Included

• Audient ASP800 8-channel microphone preamp / ADAT converter
• 2 × Roland Professional Audio XLR cables, as photographed
• Mains power cable, European plug

The two Roland cables are included at no additional cost and are useful for connecting microphones or other compatible balanced audio equipment to the ASP800.

Please note: The original retail box is not included. No additional cables, adapters, DB25 breakout cables or ADAT optical cables are included unless specifically shown and described.

Shipping

The unit will be carefully packed with protective packing material inside an outer shipping box included in the item or shipping price.

Shipping will be via tracked courier service such as FedEx, depending on destination, price, parcel size, and insurance availability. Tracking will be provided after dispatch.

International buyers are responsible for all import duties, VAT, customs fees, tariffs, brokerage/handling fees, and any other local taxes or charges required by the destination country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping price.

Shipping outside Europe may be possible by prior agreement. Please contact me before purchasing for an exact insured courier quote.