Crescendo 8 combines the precise sound that German Rundfunk-Technik is famous for with the innovative SPL 120V technology. The internal operating voltage of 120 volts allows Crescendo microphone preamplifiers to break completely new ground. This results in microphone preamps that sound detail-rich, vivid and equally honest.
 
Crescendo 8 lets microphones shine in a whole new light – because they have never been amplified like this before.
 
The Undistortable
Thanks to the SPL 120V technology, it is almost impossible
to overdrive this microphone preamplifier.
Crescendo 8 is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier with 120V technology.
 
All eight channels feature the same range of functions. Besides phantom power (48 V) for condenser microphones, polarity reversal and a PAD switch, they provide the possibility to adjust the VU meter to display very high levels. The gain can be adjusted comfortably and precisely via a high-quality potentiometer. Two outputs per channel allow the signal to be sent to two different devices in parallel. In addition to the extensive feature set and the outstanding technical characteristics, Crescendo 8 convinces with a sonic authenticity that is second to none.
 
The Features
Mic Gain
The gain is adjusted by an analog potentiometer.
The pre-amplification ranges from +18 dB to +70 dB
 
VU-10
With the VU-10 switch the level displayed in the VU meter can be adjusted by -10 dB. This is very handy to display high levels.
 
48 V
The 48V switch activates the required phantom power of 48 volts for the use of condenser microphones. The red LED indicates that the phantom power is active.
 
Ø
Activating the polarity reversal switch turns the
polarity of a microphone signal by 180°.
 
PAD
By activating the PAD switch, the input sensitivity can be reduced by 20 dB. This allows the preamplifier to be ideally adapted to high level input signals. Want a hint? With PAD activated, Crescendo 8 also works perfectly with line-level input signals.
 
Built-in Output Splitter
All eight microphone preamps have two parallel outputs each. This allows the signal to be sent to two different devices in parallel. One output each is available as XLR line output. The respective second outputs are available as a DB25 jack. These can for example be ideally connected to a multi-channel AD converter, with the for this kind of device type typical DB25 input. An additional external signal splitter for back-up systems during a recording session is therefore no longer necessary.
 
Perfection in detail
The input differential amplifiers are constructed with pairs of transistors, each of which is combined in a housing. Precise matching of the transistors and thermal coupling ensure high common-mode rejection and extremely low THD values. The choice of transistors and resistors has a decisive influence on the sound. In countless listening sessions the optimal components for Crescendo were selected
– the effort paid off!
 
More sound through innovation
Our 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers work as current amplifiers, which also offer pure class A operation with over 6 mA quiescent current. We largely dispense with coupling capacitors in order to avoid their sonic disadvantages (diffuse, sloping, loss of dynamics). In order to eliminate DC voltage components active servo circuits are used.
 
The 120V technology
The 120V technology is reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps.
 
Built to Last
The Crescendo 8 has a 4 mm thick, black anodized aluminum front panel and aluminum knobs milled from solid. The housing is made of high-quality steel and is powder-coated in elegant black.
 
The Reviews
“With the Crescendo, I immediately have the feeling that I'm getting a whole new, unprecedented reproduction quality from all my microphones.”
Dana Gumbiner
Tape Op
 
“Even with the first test tones with the microphone connected, you notice that this 120 volt thing is not an empty promise. The dynamic range of the system is really impressive.”
Jörg Hoffmann
Amazona
 
All devises manufactured in SPL's own production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.