IGS Audio Tubecore 3U

$3,195.00
Adding to cart… The item has been added
Stock Item, Usually Ships Same or Next Business Day

Stock Item: Ships from our shelf quickly in almost all cases when ordered before our ship cutoff times.

Direct Ship: Non-stock item, but normally ships quickly from the manufacturer or alternate warehouse.

Built To Order: Item is custom built per the options chosen and quickly shipped out upon completion.

More On The Way: The manufacturer is experiencing delays, but we'll ship quickly upon arrival.

New Item: We have this on order, the manufacturer hasn't shipped but you'll be in line upon arrival.

Visit our Shipping Page for cutoff times for FREE (USA), UPS, USPS or FedEx.

Visit our Returns Page for info on non-returnable, special order non-stock items.

The Design
The TUBECORE 3U is a fully symmetric transformer balanced stereo mastering compressor. The structure is based on the typical vari-mu solution. Apart from the classic INPUT, THRESHOLD and OUTPUT controls it introduces switchable high pass filter in the sidechain, parallel compression (MIX knob), independent ATTACK and RELEASE switches and user replaceable tubes accessible from the back of the unit.

Comfort of Use
The Tubecore was designed as a studio mastering compressor. It is built using the 3U enclosure, which improves front panel clarity and makes it easier to replace tubes located at the back. The compressor allows you to work either in dual mono or mid/side mode (M/S). The Mode switch has two bypass positions – they both do the same, but we added the second one for your comfort and quick A/B comparing.

The Tubes
The design of the Tubecore 3U is based on the possibility to replace the tubes. As a user, you can choose between a few types: 6N1P-EW – standard set of tubes, “standard” IGS compression, 6BC8/6BZ8 – tight, transparent, punchy compression, 6386 – legendary compression, by famous twin triode, 5670 – deep and dark tube compression. The User's Manual describes in detail how to replace tubes, so it is quick and straightforward.

The Quality
Every single TUBECORE 3U is hand made with high quality, matched components (1% metal film resistors, Wima caps). It is equipped with 6N1P-EW NOS tubes and individually calibrated to give you the unique and unspoiled experience of one of the best vari-mu compressors in history. It is equipped with custom audio transformers.

IGS Audio Tubecore 3U Specifications

  • All stepped manipulators:     24 pole Elma switches
  • Sidechain HPF:     120Hz, 60Hz, Off
  • WET/DRY Mixer:     0 - 100%, 4 dB step
  • MID/SIDE Processing:     OpAmp M-S encode/decode
  • Input Impedance (balanced):     XLR, 2500 Ohm, transformer balanced
  • Output Impedance (balanced):     XLR, 600 Ohm, transformer balanced
  • Operating Level:     +4dBu
  • Max input level:     +22 dBu
  • Max output level:     +22 dBu
  • Dynamic Range:     >107 dBA (@ 1kHz, +24 dBu)
  • Max. gain:     +35dB
  • Max Gain Reduction:     20 dB
  • Attack:     10 - 30 ms
  • Release:     0.1s - 4s
  • Fequency response:     20Hz to 20kHz; +/- 0.2dB
  • Signal to Noise Ratio:     87 dBA
  • THD:     0.12 %
  • THD+N:     0.15 %
  • IMD (SMPTE):     0.32%
  • Crosstalk:     82 dB
  • Voltage:     115/230V AC, 50-60Hz
  • Power consumption:     44 Wats
  • Power supply:     External

Our ONE WITH EVERYTHING ZEN WARRANTY extends the standard manufacturer warranty by one year, see our ZEN WARRANTY page for details.