Atomic Analog Special OP-6 M (mono)

#Custom made to order # Please get in touch to find out the waiting time... It is usually not long until I can ship your unit.

Custom engraving possible, just ask.

The Special OP-6 microphone amplifier is a handmade unit of the highest quality, built here in our workshop in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is the result of many years of obsessive work analyzing and replicating an original RCA OP-6, right down to the core of the transformers using X-Ray and CT scan. We improved upon the original in a number of ways, one of them being noise floor. Our unit is quieter than any vintage OP6 out there. We also broadened the gain range to 40-84dB. Added features include instrument input, phantom power (slow ramped), input impedance, pad, and polarity flip switches, plus our own unique saturating output attenuator. This attenuator not only pulls back the hot output when driving the preamp hard, but it also draws out more harmonic content than a normal attenuator, meaning that you get a fatter, fuller driven sound that is blooming with overtones. We used to offer a normal attenuator option but nobody wanted it once they heard our saturating version :).

There are two XLR inputs, the second of which can be configured as either a mic input or a line input. It can also have phantom power disabled if you like, making that input ideal for your precious vintage ribbon mics. These options are chosen by you when you order your unit, as well as any custom engraving you might want on the front panel. Your studio's name/logo, your pets name, your pornstar name....?

This listing is for a mono unit built into its own protective roadcase with front cover. There are a choice of colours for the roadcase (see photos). Please see our other listing for the stereo rack-mounted version.

As opposed to using the very rare 1620 tubes of the original, we rigourously tested their younger sibling, the 5879, which we found to sound exactly the same, with lower microphonics, plus they are much easier to source as they were produced for the military into the 80s. Hence we went with that and never looked back.

The video link below is an example of the sound of our preamp. In this session with Ásgeir it was used on the main vocal (RCA 77c1) and on the spot mic on the guitar itself. Reverb does not allow URLs in the listing but DM us and we will send you a link to more audio samples of the preamp in action.

We had a nice review of our Preamp in Sound on Sound magazine, which you can find on their website.

Our products are made to order, and carry a two year warranty. We strive to build the highest quality pro audio equipment that is designed to last as long as possible. Our passion is audio gear and electronics, and for us to sell our creations enables us to design new ones, and there are plenty in the pipeline! The Special OP-6 is just the beginning :)