J99 Microphone Preamp
The SCA J99 is a uniquely flexible, high-gain, low-noise, low-distortion microphone preamplifier, based on the classic Jensen Twin Servo design. This is a great preamp to use when a neutral sonic character is required, and the objective is to capture the sound of the performance, not the preamp.
Features| High Gain | The J99 can provide 70dB of gain, not including the voltage step-up provided by the input transformer. Jumpered for a 1:5 ratio, the maximum gain available is almost 84dB. |
| Low Noise | With an EIN approaching -130dB, the J99 is quiet enough to use in virtually any recording application, especially with low-output ribbon mics. |
| Dual DC Servos | The J99 has a DC servo for each op-amp and uses no capacitors in the signal path. |
| Stepped Gain Control | A 12 position Grayhill switch provides accurate and repeatable gain settings in 5dB steps from 15dB to 70dB. |
| Gain Trim | Since 5dB is often too big a gain step, the A12 also has a gain trim control, which provides up to 6dB of cut at any gain setting. This allows very fine adjustment of gain between steps. |
| Phase Reverse | Inverts the signal phase. |
| Phantom Switch | Slow-rise phantom power minimizes pops and thumps. |
| Neutrik Connectors | High quality PC mount connectors eliminate cabling and ease assembly. |
| Lundahl Input Transformer | The J99 uses a Lundahl 1538XL to couple the microphone signal to the amplifier. This transformer is used in a variety of high-end preamps and it provides superior performance in a compact package. |
| CineMag Output Transformer | The CineMag CMOB-2H output transformer provides a balanced, floating output with extremely low distortion and wide bandwidth. |
| Flexible Power Supply | On-board voltage regulators can accommodate power supplies from +/-15VDC up to +/-35VDC, allowing the use of op-amps with +/-24VDC requirements. Potentiometers allow easy voltage adjustment, making experimenting fast and simple. Local regulation also keeps inter-channel crosstalk extremely low when multiple preamps share the same power supply. |
| 2520 Compatible | The J99 will work with a number of discrete op-amps from manufacturers such as API, Millennia, Forssell, Old School Audio, and John Hardy. High qualtiy IC amplifiers such as the AD797 and OPA627 can be used as well when mounted on a suitable adapter board, and can rival the discrete types when extreme headroom is not required. |
