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Purchase OSD Preamplifier, Phono Ready, Home Theater, Surround Sound, Recording - Pre-1
  • osd-preamplifier-preamp-pre1
  • Preamplifier

  • PRE-1 Preamplifier, Phono Ready, Home Theater, Surround Sound, Recording

  • $163.49
    Turntable Ready Mic Input Record Out
    • Adds a turntable, mic and tone controls to any power amp
    • Four RCA inputs plus front-panel mic jack
    • Bass, mid, treble, loudness and balance knobs
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Specifications

SKU
PRE-1
  • Input Sensitivity/Impedance
    • Mic 0.5V/600 Ohms 
    • Phono 3mV/47k Ohms 
    • Tape,Tuner, CD/DVD, Aux 150mV/47k Ohms 
  • Output Level/Impedance
    • Tape Rec 150mV/100k Ohms 
    • Pre Output 500mV/47k Ohms 
  • Total Harmonic Distortion
    • Mic less than 0.4% 
    • Phono less than 0.4% 
    • Tape,Tuner, CD/DVD, Aux less than 0.2% 
  • Signal to Noise Ratio:
    • Mic more than 50dB 
    • Phono more than 70dB 
    • Tape,Tuner, CD/DVD, Aux more than 80dB 
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30kHz +0 -3dB 
  • Tone Control:
    • Bass ± 12dB @ 100Hz 
    • Midrange ± 6dB @ 1kHz 
    • Treble ± 12dB @ 10kHz 
  • Loudness Control: +4/0/+2dB @ 100/1k/10kHz 
  • Power Requirements: AC 120V 60Hz / 220V 50Hz 
  • Dimensions: 18.9" x 2.36" x 8.25"
  • Warranty: 2 Years

Description

A preamp is a key component to experiencing true home theater surround sound and a critical element to recording music, yet few people really understand the function a preamp plays. OSD Audio's Pre-1 is a unique and, yes, affordable preamplifier that accomplishes the subtle audio tasks that transform an ordinary home theater surround sound system into, 'wow, I hear every detail,' from a dog barking, to the whooshing blades of a helicopter. A preamp delivers similar benefits to music recording by boosting the low-level output on microphones. Because mics generally have a weak output, adding a preamp will deliver a better recording signal level verses simply plugging the mic into a computer and standard recording gear. Preamps do more than add volume, however. Like the home theater experience, a preamp in recording can finesse the subtle 'color' of sound by adding tonal quality. Let's start with what a preamp is and then we'll cover the attributes of OSD Audios' Preamp-1 so you can make the wisest buying choice.


What Is A Preamplifier and What Does It Do?

Simply put, a preamp is a separate processor within the audio command chain that accomplishes detailed audio tasks. A decent home theater will typically have one or more amplifiers and an AV receiver. While an AV receiver has amplifier power, power is not its primary function. An AV receiver 'receives' audio and video signals from a variety of sources (TV, DVD DRV, etc.) and routes the signals to the speakers. Power is where the amps kick, which supply the juice needed to move the signal with enough amperage so your surround sound speakers produce the best sound for which they are designed. That should be enough, right? Well, not exactly. The amp may add power, but it can be a bit of a clod because that's all it's doing is add power. (Okay, audiophiles, we know it does more, but let's keep it simple). Enter the preamp. A preamplifier is a low-level amplifier. What that means is that it takes a line level signal (that's the strength of an audio signal used to transmit analog sound between audio components such as CD and DVD players, television sets, audio amplifiers, and mixing consoles) and amplifies it enough to drive the power amplifier to its rated output. If an amp is receiving a signal at its rated output, it will perform better and your surround system will pick up detail you never thought possible. The same can be said in sound recording where an audio interface enhances the sonic capabilities of a computer. While an audio interface includes an internal preamp, an external preamp gives you more control over tonal quality.

Home Stereo/Home Recording Pre-Amplifier

OSD Audio Preamp-1 home stereo/home recording Pre-Amplifier is not shy on features, and we encourage you do research the specs. Our preamp provides four selectable unbalanced analog RCA inputs, Phono, AUX1, AUX2 and CD/DVD and a '' Mic input jack on the front panel with adjustable mic level control. Other front panel variable control knobs feature three tone controls: Bass, Mid and Treble, plus Balance, Master Volume and Loudness Contour Knobs with Min to Max settings. Additional front panel controls include Power Switch, Tape Loop, Mono/Stereo, Low Filter and Mute Buttons. We back this preamp with a 2-year warranty because the Preamp-1 Pre-Amplifier is as solid as it gets.

  • Mic Level Control
  • Bass/Midrange/Treble/Loudness/Balance Control
  • Microphone Jack Input
  • Input Selector
  • Low Frequency Filter
  • Mute
  • Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30kHz +0 -3dB
  • Phono Pre-Amp for moving magnet cartridges



Warning: California's Proposition 65
Warning:  

This product can expose you to chemicals, including vinyl chloride, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Reviews

Customers say

Generated by AI from 27 customer reviews

Customers say this preamp offers great value for the price, calling it an unbelievable component that works well with many low power amps. They also praise the build quality, noting they are impressed by its quality and performance at this price point.

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Questions & Answers

44 Questions asked

What's on your mind?

Juan Delgado • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM Hi. How can an equalizer be added with this preamp? Any diagrams and settings?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi Juan: I believe you can connect an Equalizer utilizing the Tape Loop. You have an input and output connection on your Equalizer. Same with the OSD Pre1. Note many of the current Equalizers have Balanced line in and out. These will not work with the Pre1. But if you find one with RCA unbalanced connections then it will work. When you want. This is from the Owner's Manual: Tape Play: Connect to a tape decks output jacks. Tape Rec: Connect to a tape decks input jacks. When you want to operate the EQ you will enable the tape loop. It will equalize whatever you select as your source (Either DVD/CD/ Aux 1, Aux 2 or Phono). Good luck... TL/4179
Juan Delgado • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM Hi. How can an equalizer be added with this preamp? Any diagrams and settings?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Correction, My pre1's tape loop goes rec to input of unbalanced BBE processor to DBX equalizer with only balanced in and out. Out of eq to playback on pre1. works like a charm.
Juan Delgado • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM Hi. How can an equalizer be added with this preamp? Any diagrams and settings?
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
This preamp is designed to work with a power amp. You would connect the equalizer between the Premp-1 and what ever power amp you're using. Cheers Kurt
john rendleman • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM if I use this preamp with a musichall turntable 5.3 ,will I get a hum
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
Hi John: The Pre1 is an entry level Pre-amplifier that maybe over matched for your turntable. It does feature an internal phono pre amp and ground connection which is supposed to eliminate the hum. Maybe it be worth a try, we do have 30 day performance guarantee (save your packaging). TL/4181
john rendleman • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM if I use this preamp with a musichall turntable 5.3 ,will I get a hum
Customer Service • 12/17/2019, 2:17:43 PM
I have a Thorens manual turntable hooked up and there is no hum. I do have the ground wire connected to the connector on the back of the pre-amp.