TL Audio A3 Discrete Class A and Tube Mono Channel Strip

Preliminary Information

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.

 

Why Class-A?

Class A circuits are designed with a constant current flowing through all of the transistors, which is sufficient to drive the peak output required from each block of the circuit. This ensures that every transistor is kept at its optimum operating point, minimising nonlinearities due to changes in current and internal thermal effects, and eliminating the objectionable “cross-over” distortion typical of class AB circuits.

Due to the higher steady state (or “quiescent”) currents used, the power dissipation of class A circuits is substantially higher than can in general be handled by integrated circuits. It is also possible to design discrete transistor circuits to operate at higher voltage rails than are available for audio integrated circuits, adding the benefit of greater headroom and improved dynamic range. For these reasons, there are no integrated circuits in the audio paths of the Ebony Series.

The outstanding audio quality is reflected in the technical specification of the units, with particularly low noise and distortion, and wide frequency response

 

 

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

 

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.