spl Tube Vitalizer / Modell 9530

The Tube Vitalizer is the top model in the Vitalizer product family. In it we have combined the finest in audio technology: The harmonious combination of tube, coil, transistor and semiconductor technology offers new possibilities in sound design, whereby the advantages of the respective components can be used both individually and in combination. For example, if you use the tube section separately, you have a tube line preamp with high overload resistance and low noise if you want to produce "tube sound" in certain situations even without a vitalizer. The entire adjustment of the effect intensities of the Tube Vitalizer is designed for sensitive settings that meet the needs of users in professional recording studios, mastering and cutting. Vitalizer section The front panel of the Tube Vitalizer is divided into two sections: On the left side are the controls for the further developed filter network. The first significant innovation here is the possibility of being able to connect passive, coil-based filter networks (LC filter switching functions) to the conventional capacitor filter networks in the bass and treble range. Coils are known for their pleasant sound in filter circuits, as saturating the coil produces a harmonic behavior that is pleasant to the hearing sense. The difference in sound is aptly compared to that between tube and transistor stages. When processing bass, switching on the coils creates a little more pressure, the sound becomes more robust and has more “sustain”. To do this, the damping behavior in the midrange is changed. In the high frequency range, the presence and midrange pressure are increased by switching on the LC filter. During mastering, “coil sound” can be brought into the mix, which usefully complements the sound of conventional filters. The second important innovation is the compressors integrated into the bass and treble filter paths. Only the processed bass or treble signal is compressed here - the original signal remains untouched. Integration into the respective filter path guarantees that only the selected signal ranges are influenced in order to be able to effectively and easily compensate for level peaks caused by filtering. High-quality, low-distortion THAT 4301 VCA components are used for compression for each channel. The compressors work with a “soft-knee” control characteristic, which impresses with its inconspicuous operation. The compressor's attack, release and threshold are pre-programmed. You only use the respective controls to set the compression ratio, while the blue gain Reduction LED shows that the compressor is starting to work. Especially when pre-mastering on a digital medium, the compressors improve the utilization of the headroom and help prevent clipping. Another special feature is that each filter module is equipped with individual operational amplifiers in order to exclude mutual influence in the form of crosstalk or distortion within the semiconductors. All capacitors used in high-frequency filtering are connected in parallel to halve tolerances and stabilize the stereo image. Tube Section After the Vitalizer processing stage, the signal passes through the tube section. As mentioned at the beginning, this can be switched on separately. If the tube section is deactivated, the output stages are operated using conventional semiconductor technology. For the first time, a direct A/B comparison between tube and semiconductor output stages is now possible. The tube stage is constructed with three paired 12AX7LPS tubes: first the signal from each channel passes through its "own" tube, then the signals are combined and pass through the third tube. Due to the characteristic operation of tubes, this form of circuit has proven to be advantageous in achieving the highest possible coherence in the stereo image and in emphasizing the spatial impression of stereo signals. The various amplification stages are decoupled by first-class capacitors with a capacity of 1µF in the input and output - this very high value ensures clean processing of even very low and high frequencies, which allows harmonious cooperation with the Vitalizer section . The power supply is equipped with a delay circuit that initially supplies the tubes with a heating voltage of 6.5 volts for the first 45 seconds after switching on the Tube Vitalizer and only then supplies the anode voltage of 250 volts. This generally extends the lifespan of the tubes and also guarantees sound quality that remains unchanged over the long term. The tubes themselves are placed on gold-plated ceramic bases. As a little treat, the Tube Vitalizer offers a shunt limiter. This limits the level according to a characteristic curve tailored to the tubes and gives the signal a tonal effect that is similar to the saturation effect of analog tape machines. The shunt limiter can be mainly useful for individual recording or group processing (e.g. drums). Features ALPS potentiometers provide a pleasant “spoon in honey” turning feeling and allow for sensitive adjustment. Two VU meters display either input or output levels. The Tube Vitalizer is equipped with XLR & stereo jack sockets for balanced operation. The SSM precision symmetry stages used achieve a very high common mode rejection of over 87dB through laser-trimmed resistors. Asymmetrical operation is possible without a level jump.