TK Audio SP502 500 Series Class-A Preamp

Sporting a new transformerless input stage for a clean and transparent front end, the SP502 from TK Audio is a 500-series, single-slot class-A preamp with a unique hybrid design that allows for selection between two different output stages: A vintage, discrete class-A output with the low-mid punch and thickness associated with British preamps from the early '70s, and an electronically balanced modern output with a clean tone more alike to devices from the '80s and '90s. Providing up to 70 dB of clean gain, and a fully discrete DI audio path, the SP502 delivers pristine audio quality with a range of analog flavors that will excel in DI bass and guitar recording as well as standard microphone preamp duties.

The SP502 provides plenty of functions for further refining your recording process; a sweepable 30 to 400 Hz, 12 dB/octave high-pass filter, a -30 dB pad, selectable 48V phantom power, a saturation circuit for adding extra harmonics to your signals, and illuminated switches, including a polarity reversal switch. When the DI mode is selected, the 1/4" Hi-Z input is fed directly to the output stage without passing the preamp, and when used together with the selectable class-A stage and its Carnhill transformer balancing, you get an excellent, discrete sound path for DI instrument recording that injects plenty of character.