Sonic Imagery Labs Model 523A Microphone Lifter Exciter Line Amplifier

Model 523A Microphone Lifter Exciter Balanced Line Amplifier
The Sonic Imagery Labs Model 523A is a high performance phantom powered line amplifier designed for professional audio applications. The Model 523A’s prime directive is to amplify signals from low-output dynamic and ribbon microphones with a high degree of accuracy and fidelity..

Equipped with dual precision current sources driving a differential super-matched FET-based gain stage and line driver, the Model 523A maintains high common mode noise rejection performance. This performance also prevents signal degradation over long cable runs in the studio or on the performance stage.

Microphone loading can be user selected. The 523A has three user selectable termination settings. Different loadings on the microphone output can produce subtle changes in microphone “color.” For the standard Model 523A, they are 600, 3.6K and 10.6K ohm. OPTION 003 provides other termination-loading impedances which can be factory installed at the time of purchase. See additional options.

The Sonic Imagery Labs Model 523A provides for three user selectable gain steps. When the 523A is connected to a typical mixing console, standalone microphone preamp or microphone interface, gains of 8dB, 16dB or 25dB can be selected. This equates to the LOW, MID and HIGH settings. The 523A will not “hard clip” but, at very extreme sound pressure levels or transients, will tend to “soft clip” and compress. This soft compression clipping will produce primarily 2nd and 4th harmonic content similar to audio exciters.

The Sonic Imagery Labs Model 523A is operated by phantom power. A green LED will illuminate if phantom power is present. The Model 523A will not pass-thru phantom power to the microphone, making it safe to use for ribbon or dynamic microphones. If your mixer, mic pre or interface cannot provide 48V phantom power, the Model 523A can be powered by an external 48V power supply such as the optional Sonic Imagery Labs Model 1224A “wall wart” power supply. The 1224A can power up to 15 Sonic Imagery Labs Model 523A units using the daisy chain power connection setup.
Model 523A Manual Datasheet and Specifications available for download online.

Features:

• Choice of three user selectable Hipass Filters (HIGH PASS)
• Choice of three user selectable Termination Impedances (INPUT Z)
• Choice of three user selectable Line Gains (GAIN)
• Operates with Phantom Power or External 48V Power
• External power can be daisy chained to additional units
• Soft compression clipping at extreme mic levels (EXCITER)
• Rack tray mountable - Removable feet
• Strapable to microphone stand (Strap included)
• Particular emphasis on audio performance
• Designed, assembled and produced in the USA
• 3 Year Warranty

Applications:

• Podcasting, DJ, Stage Gain, Live performance
• Long cable run driver
• Summing/Mixer Amplifiers
• Cable splitter driver
• High Performance Balanced Microphone Gain Amp
• High Performance A/D and D/A Balanced front end Gain