Benchmark Media introduces the MPA1, their new 2-Channel Mic-Pre, at AES

Date:

Thu, 10/09/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYRACUSE, New York, October 09, 2008 - Benchmark Media Systems, Inc has announced the arrival of their newest microphone preamplifier, the MPA1. The introduction at the 125th Audio Engineering Society convention in San Francisco follows last year’s AES introduction of the PRE420, the 4-channel mic-pre with built-in mixing and monitoring functions.

"The MPA1 represents the next generation of our wide-bandwidth, ultra-low distortion microphone preamplifier," said John Siau, Vice-President of Benchmark Media Systems. "We’re especially excited about this mic-pre because it delivers all the performance of the PRE420, but with the addition of the stepped-resistor gain controls featuring our new virtual 38-position switch."

The gain controls of the MPA1 are a unique approach to the popular switched resistor topology. The controls span from 0-74 dB in 2 dB steps without a pad or manual gain-range switch. The gain-range is adjusted automatically as the switch passes through its zero position, allowing the user to step through the entire 74 dB gain range through three continuous rotations of the switch.

Each channel of the MPA1 includes independent switches for 40Hz high-pass filter, +48V phantom power, and polarity inversion. The MPA1 includes four-segment meters per channel and, for monitoring, the HPA2™ - Benchmark's signature high-current, 0-Ohm headphone amplifier. The bandwidth is 500 kHz.

"The exceptional purity and transparency of this mic-pre is truly captivating to hear," said Elias Gwinn, application engineer. “Plus, the innovative gain controls, phantom-power protection technology, and EMI-immunity will keep this pre-amplifier state-of-the-art for decades to come.”

Benchmark will ship the first units on November 15th, 2008 for $1795.00 USD.

More information about the MPA1 is available at:

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/micpre/mpa1

High resolution photos of the MPA1 are available at:

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/micpre/mpa1/photos

Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. is a privately-held manufacturer of precision audio electronics for professional and audiophile applications since 1983.

For more information, call Rory Rall at 1-800-262-4675 or email:

sales@benchmarkmedia.com
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