The ART PRO MPA II GOLD is an affordable high performance microphone preamp.
The ART PRO MPA II can be configured for dual mono or stereo operation with selectable mid/side mic support, summing the adjacent channel, to decode left/right signals.
Each microphone input circuit, with selectable 48v phantom power, features variable input impedance which can radically vary the overall performance of any high quality dynamic or ribbon microphone.
The ProMPA II can operate at either a low or high plate voltage on the two integrated hand-selected 12AX7 tubes for wider variation of preamp tone and performance. Large back-lit analog VU output meters display output levels while multi-colored LED arrays show tube gain.
Housed in a standard 2u space rack-mountable steel chassis, with CNC routed black anodized aluminum face panel, the ProMPA II is designed to deliver years of reliable operation in the studio, production facility, or on the road for live sound reinforcement.
I was searching for a true tube preamp (one that runs the tubes at proper voltages, lets say 200v or more) that wasnt very expensive. I decided to buy this one, because it was not a false tube preamp. It is not a "starved plate" design. It is a true tube preamp.
You need to let the tubes warm a for some time to get the best results of it. It is very transparent, very clear and feature-wise it has all the basic controls you need in a preamp.
On the downside, the blue LEDs in the "high voltage" switches had started blinking when turned on, but that is a small problem which absolutely didnt affect the functioning of the unit.
I use it at my homestudio with several types of microphones, dynamic and condenser, with very good results. I like it, you can have a smooth well rounded sound, but if you push it hard you can have some nice tube distorted sound: great for distorted vocals.
I am very satisfied with it. Maybe someday i will change the tubes to some Sylvania NOS and get the most of it, but till now i am plenty satisfied with it.