AMPTEK Stereo Saturator - Vintage Germanium Line Amp Pedal w/ NOS Germanium, Decapitator / FATSO / Black Box / Rangemaster / Neve Inspired

AMPTEK Germanium Stereo Saturator

The AMPTEK Stereo Saturator (Deluxe Version) is a portable germanium stereo line amp designed for warming up and overdriving any and all sources, from mix buses to room mics, synths and more. Utilizing meticulously tested matched pairs of 1950s and 60s new-old-stock germanium configured in a three-transistor line amp reminiscent of early Neve and Altec designs (though this a completely original design), signals cascade through direct-coupled transistors, generating raw asymmetric soft clipping that can run from subtle low order harmonics to completely fuzzed out. Independent input gain, bias and output trim control both channels allows flexibility in boosting one stereo source or two independent mono sources, providing vintage analog magic across a variety of applications.

CONTROLS

• GAIN (Left Knob): Adjusts input signal levels into the line amp. As signals increase into the amp, additional harmonic saturation begins, warming up signals gradually while HOT is down, or quickly when HOT is up.
• TRIM (Right Knob): Output level control, allowing users to pull back loud signals that may clip receiving equipment, or to allow for unity gain matching between input and output after pushing the gain.
• BIAS (White Toggle): Adjusts the amplifier biasing, altering the point of saturation onset and breakup characteristic, creating subtleties in harmonic structure between settings.
• IN (Black Toggle): Switches between true bypass and the line amplifier
• HOT (Red Toggle): Switches between three different gain-voicing options. When down more subtle and smooth saturation is offered. Flipping up to HOT increases the available gain substantially for more aggressive tones and clipping sources from overdriven to fully fuzzed-out.

This run currently employs 1950s Sylvania and TungSol transistors

*Runs on a true 24V rail for a authentic old-school specifications, using an EHX 24V power supply (provided!).*

**Unbalanced Input and Output**

Local pickup available on the northside of Chicago. See linked video for demo (different enclosure, same circuit).