TL Audio Ebony A3 Discrete Class A & Tube Mono Channel Strip

The TL Audio Ebony A3 is a sleek looking discrete Class A & Tube Mono Channel Strip designed to heighten your audio experience. The TL Audio Ebony A3 uses 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.

The Ebony A3 is hand assembled in England to the highest standards, and 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 A3 has all the features you come to expect with TL Audio, including balanced I/O, multi input options, analogue VU metering and intuitive, precise controls.

The TL Audio Ebony A3 is also compatible with the TL Audio DO-2 digital SPDIF interface for easy digital connectivity with high quality conversion.

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 A3.

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

TL Audio Ebony A3 Key Features:

TL Audio Ebony A3 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.