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NPNG QMP-4NW 4 Channel Microphone
Preamp Description
Our mission is to
create new and exciting devices for use in the
recording studio. Our criteria for design is based only on usability,
sound and reliability. We believe your ears are the most sensitive “test”
gear on the planet.
NPNG started building Mic Pre-Amps in 1995. Virtually all of the
original units are still in use today. The occasional service
requests we get are all related to mechanical damage. The
circuits are robust and reliable. Built with the finest components
available, the QMP4 and DMP2 will yield many years of
trouble free use.
NPNG QMP-4NW Architecture
- 2 Discrete
13 Transistor Class A Op Amp Stages Per Chan.
- Discrete* 7
Transistor Front End
- Min. Gain
30dB, Max Gain 74dB
(to produce
“0” VU)
- Input
Attenuation “PAD” Variable -4 to -
40dB
Range
NPNG QMP-4NW Typical Performance:
- EIN Better
Than -127dB 20Hz-20kHz @ 40db Gain Unweighted
- Odd Order
Harmonic Distortion @ +40dB Gain / 400Hz:
- +4dBu to +
23.8 dBu Below .001%
- Residual
Noise below -89dB 20Hz to 20kHz @ 30dB Gain
Unweighted
- Onset of
clipping +24.4dBu
- Input
Impedance 5K Balanced
- Output Impedance
600 Ohm Balanced
- Transformerless
Balanced Inputs
- Balanced
Outputs Using Jensen “Hi Nickel” Transformers
- PPM Meter
Ballistics
- Phase
Reverse on Front End
- Sound:
Extremely Deep, Wide and Dimensional .
- Inter
channel Crosstalk below 85 dB 20-20K
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NPNG Preamp Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
This review covers both the DMP-2NW
and QMP-4NW models.
While doing a recent preamp shootout
here at ZenPro Audio, we had the opportunity to bring in Karl Deihl’s NPNG
4 channel preamp to do a side by side against other high end preamps.
The first thing that happened was the top was popped off and we realized we
were dealing with artwork here. Absolutely beautifully laid out and complex, I
cannot imagine how many hours Karl sinks into each channel of NPNG preamps…taking
care to use top quality components. The switches and pots feel very solid,
there is a real heft to the unit as well. With an 80hZ hi-pass, phase reverse,
variable input pad (yes, dial in the attenuation you need to prevent
overloads!) and +74dB of gain available, it is a well equipped solid piece of
gear that won’t leave you needing more of, well, anything.
In use it proved itself to be one of
those best of both worlds type of preamps. With a transformerless input and
Jensen transformer output, it offers high detail and depth but with an
exceptional size to the sound. The NPNG can do clean very well, and the hint of
transformer goodness just sets it all off nicely. Sparkle and boom are both
delivered in a very 3D way. It’s natural but slightly enhanced. Acoustic
sources and voice both benefit from the NPNG but not in some heavy “color” sort
of way. Sources shine and it seems to pull everything the mic has to offer out,
spruce it up a bit and send it on its way to the output.
The input section is hot, close mic’d
drums you will definitely need the pad but what’s so cool about it is that you
can dial in from -4dB to -40dB of attenuation at the input so there’s never a
signal it can’t handle. Very thoughtful feature, sometimes -10 or -20 designs
just aren’t quite what you like, so here you have the choice.
Conclusion: No reason why the NPNG 2
channel or 4 channel can’t do anything you toss its way. When you want the
depth, clarity and added size with a hint of subtle enhancement, this is a seriously
well built and implemented pre that is built to outlive us all by a guy who
really cares.
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