Black Lion Audio has announced the B173 MkII and B12A MkIII British-style (1073) and American-style (312A) portable preamps.
Presented as half-rack-sized units, the B173 MkII uses the same Cinemag input and output transformers as the company’s ‘full-sized’ B173 Quad mic preamp, providing 70dB of gain, alongside a revamped gain stage and a lower noise floor for a cleaner, lower distortion sound. Sonically, the front panel-positioned Hi-Z input serves guitars, keyboards, and synthesisers, while the stepped input 1073-style gain and variable output level attenuation give control over transformer saturation. Phantom power (48V) and phase inverse controls round out the front panel with XLR input and TRS output connections on the rear.
Representing the most portable 312A ‘American sound’ around, Black Lion Audio’s B12A MkIII uses Cinemag input and output transformers and provides 70dB as does its B173 MkII half-rack-sized sibling, also matching the I/O and control features.
The B173 MkII is available at an MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of US$449 and an SSP of €449 (including VAT). The B12A MkIII is available at an MAP of US$399 and an SSP of €399 (including VAT).
More: www.blacklionaudio.com
