TL Audio A3

New from TL Audio, The Ebony Series is a sleek looking range of discrete Class A processors designed to heighten your audio experience.
The range consists of 3 units, all of which use Discrete Class A circuitry and have an optional tube stage with variable drive putting you in control of how ‘creamy?or how ‘cool?your unit sounds.

Hand assembled in England to the highest standards, the Ebony uses stylish, quality chrome knobs together with a high gloss black finish to make the exterior look just as smooth as the circuits sound.

The Ebony Series have all the features you come to expect with TL Audio, including balanced I/O, multi input options, analogue VU metering and intuitive, precise controls.

All units are also compatible with the TL Audio DO-2 digital SPDIF interface for easy digital connectivity with high quality conversion.

A combination of supreme quality, unrivalled sound and stylish aesthetics - this range offers superior analogue processing to accompany a digital world.

Main Features

• Discrete Class A and Tube Mono Channel Strip
• Quality discrete class A preamp
• DI input for high/low impedence instrument input
• Phantom Power
• 30dB Pad
• 90Hz High Pass Filter
• Phase Reverse
• Switchable tube stage with rotary drive control
• Insert send and return point for attaching additional equipment
• Direct output for short path audio via insert send.
• 3 band EQ with swept mid
• Compressor section with variable ratio, threshold, attack, release, knee and gain make up.
• EQ switchable pre and post compression stage
• Analogue style VU metering for level / gain reduction
• +10dB metering for use with DAW
• Compatible with DO-2 card for SPDIF digital output

Specifications

• Mic Input:
  • Discrete Class A circuitry from input to output (unless Tube stage In)
  • Gain Range: +16dB to +60dB (-14dB to +30dB with pad)
  • Maximum Input level: +10dBu (without pad), +30dB (with pad)
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz to 40KHz, +0, -1dB, @ 40dB gain
  • Distortion (THD + Noise): 0.035%, 20Hz to 20KHz @ 40dB gain
  • Noise (EIN): -127dBu unweighted, 22Hz to 22KHz, 150 ohm source termination.
• Line Input:
  • Discrete Class A circuitry from input to output (unless Tube stage In)
  • Gain Range: -20dB to +20dB
  • Maximum Input level: +26dBu
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz to 35KHz, +0, -1dB
  • Distortion (THD + Noise): 0.03%, 20Hz to 40KHz,
  • Noise: -85dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz, @ 0dB gain at input and output.
• Instrument Input:
  • Tube input stage, plus discrete Class A circuitry to output
  • Gain Range: +8dB to +40dB (“High”), -10dB to +22dB (“Low”)
  • Input Impedance: 1Mohm (“High”), 70Kohm (“Low”).
  • High Pass Filter: -3dB @ 90Hz, second order.
• Insertion Point:
  • Pre Compressor and EQ
  • Balanced, separate Send and Return TRS jack sockets
  • Nominal Level: 0dBu
  • Noise -85dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz.
• Output:
  • Maximum Gain +15dB
  • Maximum Level: +22dBu (2Kohm load), +26dBu (10Kohm load)
  • Noise at minimum gain: -90dBu (22Hz to 22KHz).
• Tube Stage:
  • Typical Distortion: 1% to 10%, depending on “Drive” level, predominately second harmonic
  • Noise: -80dBu (22Hz to 22KHz), output gain @ 0dB.
• Compressor:
  • Threshold Range: -20dB to +10dB
  • Ratio Range: 2:1 to 20:1
  • Attack: 1ms (“Fast”), 8ms (“Slow”)
  • Release: 200ms (“Fast”), 2s (“Slow”)
  • Knee: “Hard” and “Soft” settings
  • Gain Make-Up: 0dB to 20dB.
• Equaliser:
  • LF: +/-15dB @ 80Hz, shelving
  • Mid: +/-15dB, swept 150Hz to 7KHz, Q = 0.7
  • HF: +/-15dB @ 12KHz, shelving,
  • “Pre” and “Sidechain” (Compressor) switches.
• Metering:
  • Tube “Drive” LED: Variable intensity over 10dB level range, typically corresponding to 1% to 5% THD.
  • Tube “Peak” LED: Dependant on level and drive, typically corresponding to 10% THD.
  • Output “Peak” LED: +19dBu on output.
  • VU Meter: Switchable to Input, Ouput or Gain Reduction.
  • Nominal calibration: 0VU = +4dBu.
  • +10dB switch calibration: 0VU = +14dBu.
• Power Requirements:
  • Internally set to 230V 50Hz or 115V 60Hz operation
  • Detachable IEC power cord
  • Power consumption 28VA.
• Dimensions:
  • 2U, rack mounting or free-standing.
  • W x H x D = 483mm x 88mm x 200mm (19.0” x 7.9” x 3.5”), behind front panel.
  • Shipping weight: 6Kg.