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River Electronics MP-2NV Description
The MP-2NV (two channel mic preamp) greatly modernizes and improves classic British design. This single-rack-space pair of preamps offer the same definitive sonic fidelity and expert craftsmanship as all
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River products, with the ability to fine-tune gain effects like 1970's-era 1073's. Transparency and vintage harmonic structure are both achieved with NV-Series preamps.
The MP-2NV achieves “new classic” performance status with two discrete Class-A gain stages (the dual gain-stage meters are a Great River exclusive), a front-panel DI input jack which is routed via FET through the input transformer (also unique to Great River preamps) for must-hear-to-believe sound from all hi-Z instruments, and a discrete high-current Class-A "big iron" transformer-coupled output amplifier. The MP-2NV is a fundamentally important audio tool that brings out the best in every microphone and instrument.
The NV Series’ construction quality is “like a beautiful battleship”, said one grizzled audio veteran.
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River Electronics MP-2NV Features
- Multiple In/Out connections: XLR balanced; ¼" -10dbV output for 'no-latency' DAW monitoring; high-Z input on front panel (disconnects mic input): TRS ¼” insert patch point for compressor or equalizer ahead of the output amplifier
- Adjustable gain stages: input in 5db steps to 60db; output from -25 to +10db; maximum overall gain 70db; 2 to 3 stages of single ended solid state amplifier gain blocks, depending on gain structure; high-current 70ma Class A bias on output stage
- Input and output meters on each channel (dual-stage metering is a
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River exclusive)
- Front panel switches: polarity; phantom power; input impedance (1200 / 300 ohm); output loading (600 ohm resistor across output transformer)
- High quality, custom wound Sowter transformers
- Gold plated switching contacts
- Local power supply regulation on each channel
- 110 or 220 volt operation with external selection, either 50 or 60 Hz
- 3 year warranty with registration
- Single rack space with internal power supply
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River Electronics MP-2NV Benefits
- 'Big Iron Vintage Sound' from custom-wound transformers
- 'No-latency' output monitoring for DAW users
- High-Z input is ideal for bass, guitar, and sound modules (FET-buffered and routed into the input transformer, a
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River exclusive)
- Gain stage monitoring via dual meters (also a
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River exclusive)
- Ultra quiet noise floor for outstanding performance at any gain setting
- Excellent stereo imaging (nearly identical phase response channel-to-channel)
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River Electronics MP2NV Review /
See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
Loosely based on the Neve 1073
design, Dan Kennedy struck out to create a preamp with the sound of iron but
with more clarity and depth. The NV series was born, and well people have been
re-sizing their audio with it ever since (it has a BIG sound). With a max gain
of +70dB and switchable input impedence of 300 or 1200 ohms, the NV series can
handle hot output condenser mics or low output dynamics and ribbons with ease.
That last +10dB of gain is from the variable output fader pot, which when
turned DOWN allows you to crank the input UP for more character and gain
staging possibilities, depending on what your track calls for.
A good friend of mine who owns the
NV series preamps said to me once while pointing at the gain knob: “that ought
to say TONE, because you keep turning it and it keeps adding flavor”. I agree
with that statement. The NV series preamps have this way of going from clean
(OK just to be clear, this isn’t a transparent type of pre by any stretch but
it does get fairly clean) to a heavily driven sound that is downright ‘gravel-y’
when the input is cranked. There is a lot of harmonic content that makes it
through this unit, and that heavy iron sound is at work as well. The bottom end
is typical of Sowter transformers, somewhat exaggerated and deep (I am not
kidding, during a bass DI shootout once, when we switched over to the NV series
it reached so low and pumped up the bottom so much, a tiny bit of the drop
ceiling fell off on the desk). The midrange character can be driven hard, it’s
a bit more forward of a midrange sound than some preamps, but not in any odd
way at all. There is good and natural presence with the pre, but it’s not real
airy up top either. You can also drop the output impedence to change the
relationship between the
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River NV preamp and your
next piece in the chain (the LOAD switch).
Conclusion: The
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River NV series has more
tonal variations than most preamps on the market. Turn the output up and hit
the input lighter for a more natural response, do the opposite and see how fierce
it can become. The low end will reach down and shake your teeth, just a
downright fun pre to use but insanely useful all around.
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