HV-3C is an updated design of the HV-3B two channel mic preamp, with improved mechanical design and cosmetics, and standard 36 step gain control. Combining a precisely matched octet of discrete bipolar transistors with a laser trimmed DC coupled FET-based output driver stage, the HV-3C is an entirely "double balanced", extremely wide dynamic range stereo microphone preamplifier intended for demanding acoustic recording. Unlike "textbook" mic preamplifiers, the HV-3C signal path never unbalances or rebalances the original signal - thus maintaining a high degree of signal integrity. Over 20,000 channels of HV-3 mic preamps are already in use by a who's-who in critical acoustic recording. Unlike preamps using vacuum tubes, IC function modules and audio transformers (all of which can lend their own audio coloration) the Millennia HV-3C is precisely optimized towards capturing the subtlest detail of music and ambience. Unsurpassed ambience retrieval Transformerless design with matched hi-speed discrete transistor octet has +23 dBu input headroom: no attenuator "pads" needed Uncoloured timbral accuracy at all dynamic levels Entirely balanced audio path with precision components maintains signal integrity: THD under 5 ppm (.0005%) Effortless, vividly realistic musical performance Laser-trimmed FET-based output stage has +32 dBu headroom: drives 1000 foot (300 m) cable runs with ease Standard 36-step gain controls (1.5 dB per step) are stereo matched to .08 dB Ultra-clean universal power supply life-rated for over 500,000 hours MTBF (90-240VAC) Grayhill mil-spec gold switching Mogami Neglex OFC audio wiring Silver Teflon power wiring Welded 16 gauge steel rack chassis Lovingly hand-crafted in Northern California
