In Professional Audio magazine you can find a review of our two-channel microphone preamplifier with 120V technology, the SPL Crescendo duo. The complete review (in German) can be found in the current edition (March 2022) – here we provide a summary.
“We just have to test this preamp because it has the words ‘120V DC Audio Rail‘ on the front panel. So it is a preamp with the manufacturer’s 120V reference technology. This always stands for outstanding devices.”
“Compared to conventional circuits, the headroom is significantly increased, plus there is an outstandingly good signal-to-noise ratio – so a device designed in this way is almost impossible to overdrive.”
“Best conditions for recordings where micro details should be captured.”
Circuit design:
“A look inside the Crescendo duo reveals a clear and, as expected, crystal-clean built up.”
“The input stages are built-up with ten pairs of matched PNP transistors, resulting in remarkably low noise as well as very high common-mode rejection. The input stages each have six 120V SPL SUPRA operational amplifiers of the current fifth generation.”
Sound:
“In fact, when monitoring, all that can be heard are the microphones and the sound events they capture. There is absolutely no noise, it sounds so transparent. Yet by no means sterile, but ear-pleasingly good.”
“The sound is magical: warm and soft without being viscously sticky. Only the instrument, musician and microphone can be heard. Noise? What is that? The completely unprocessed take sounds audiophile in the best sense of the word, just like a real treat for the ears. They don’t even get tired of listening to the recordings. What a preamplifier. What a pleasure to work with it. What ingenious minds that have developed and created this masterpiece of amplifier design. Too much praise? Well, test the Crescendo duo yourself. Your ears will make googly eyes. Guaranteed.”
Conclusion:
“The Crescendo duo is a microphone preamp of the absolute master class. Anyone who is making acoustic recordings and wants to capture every mic detail without any noise will find this top preamp to be the perfect partner.”
