Selling my Elysia Skulpter 500, single-channel 500 series mic/DI preamp, in mint condition.

Fully discrete, Class-A, feed-forward preamp using fixed resistors switched via relays instead of a conventional gain pot, for a repeatable, audiophile-grade gain stage. Designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Germany.

Specs

• Discrete Class-A mic preamp, resistor-based gain staging (40 steps, 3–65 dB range)
• Balanced DI input (JFET buffer, 1 MΩ) for instruments, high headroom
• Variable low-cut filter, sweepable 10 Hz–375 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Onboard VCA compressor, single-knob threshold, fixed 3:1 ratio, soft-knee
• Auto-Fast attack function for transient/percussive sources
• Dual sound-shaping stage: two selectable saturation/EQ curves ("Shape")
• 14-segment multifunction LED meter (level, gain, compression, clipping)
• 48V phantom power, phase reverse, mute

Reputation

Regularly cited as one of the most versatile 500-series front ends available, combining a clean, natural preamp with switchable coloration and built-in compression. Reviewers highlight the low-cut filter and Shape circuit as standout features, effective across vocals, drums, guitars, bass, and synths.