MIAMI, FL, United States
About this listing
Chameleon Labs 7603 Microphone Preamp and EQ is a single-channel, transformer-balanced mic and line preamp with a built-in 3-band EQ, high-pass filter, front-panel DI, and the kind of stepped gain structure that encourages deliberate gain staging.
This is the standard 7603, and for most people that matters in a good way. If what you want is a real analog front end with proper tone-shaping and enough control to earn its rack space, this is the one that makes the most sense to start with.
The 7603 uses separate transformer-balanced microphone and line inputs, a discrete Class A circuit design, custom-wound transformers, and a continuously variable output stage that lets you trim level cleanly or lean into the input stage a bit harder when the source wants it. Mic gain runs from +20 dB to +70 dB in 5 dB steps, while the line input covers -30 dB to +20 dB, so it can handle microphones, line-level sources, and direct instrument duties.
The EQ section is a big part of the appeal here. You get a selectable high-pass filter, a low shelving band, a mid peaking band, and a high shelving band, each with useful musical frequency points. The low band offers 35, 60, 110, and 220 Hz choices. The mid band covers 350 Hz, 700 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, and 7.2 kHz. The high band gives you 3.4 kHz, 4.9 kHz, 7 kHz, 12 kHz, and 16 kHz. Each EQ band offers up to 15 dB of boost or cut, and the whole EQ section can be bypassed from the front panel for quick comparison.
Practical control is a big part of why units like this still exist. The front panel includes mic/line switching, DI on/off, 48V phantom power, phase reversal, selectable 300Ω or 1200Ω mic input impedance, input and output overload indication, and a VU meter that can read input or output with a selectable range. The front-panel DI input lets you run instruments directly into the unit, and the universal internal power supply makes it easy to integrate into a permanent rack without any external wall-wart nonsense.
This is a strong choice for vocals, bass DI, synths, drums, and re-amping chains.
Single-channel microphone and line preamp with built-in EQ
Transformer-balanced microphone input, line input, and output
Discrete Class A topology with custom-wound transformers
Mic gain range: +20 dB to +70 dB in 5 dB steps
Line gain range: -30 dB to +20 dB in 5 dB steps
Front-panel Hi-Z DI input on 1/4" TRS
Selectable microphone input impedance: 300Ω or 1200Ω
48V phantom power and phase reversal
3-band EQ with bypass
High-pass filter frequencies: Off, 40, 80, 160, 320 Hz
Low EQ frequencies: 35, 60, 110, 220 Hz
Mid EQ frequencies: 350, 700, 1.6k, 3.2k, 4.8k, 7.2 kHz
High EQ frequencies: 3.4k, 4.9k, 7k, 12k, 16 kHz
Up to ±15 dB boost/cut on each EQ band
Variable output gain for level trim or intentional input drive
Input and output overload LEDs
Illuminated VU meter with input/output select and 0 dB or -20 dB range
Rear-panel XLR mic input, XLR line input, and XLR output
Internal universal power supply, 100 to 240 VAC
1U rackmount format
Price$1,299
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