Ideal as a creative tool for professional vocal recording applications in studios, the Gyraf Audio GY 4.5 Signature Inherit Cartridge from GC Audio is a fully tube-powered microphone preamp designed for use with the modular Inherit mic preamp system. Providing a preamp circuit based on the Jakob Erland-designed Gyraf Audio Gyratec 9 preamp, the Gyraf Signature cartridge delivers a versatile sound character, from clean to very colorful.
This single-channel preamp cartridge is built around two high-voltage 12AU7 / ECC82 vacuum tubes, with no solid-state components in the signal path for a pure tube tone. The I/O is balanced by high-end Lundahl transformers. The most crucial aspect of this circuit is its slow transition to overload, allowing for a very large so-called sweet spot that offers dense analog saturation without distortion. When loaded into an Inherit rack chassis, the onboard pad provides -28 dB of attenuation for reining in overly hot signals. Preamp gain is stepped, with 12 steps for gain control from 22 to 63 dB.
Design and Inspiration
The Gyraf Signature cartridge is based on a now classic design by Jakob Erland, founder of Gyraf Audio and designer of many high-end studio devices, like the G9 preamp and G22 compressor. Jakob Erland is widely recognized as one of the leading experts in tube hardware design.
The design is faithful to the original Gyratec 9 preamp in every detail, including the use of ECC82 tubes, while sporting some new enhancements, such as transformer balancing, phantom power, switchable high-pass filters, and stepped gain control. The G9, which was adapted for this cartridge, is itself based on the input circuit of the vintage G36 tape recorder.
Stepped Gain Control
A welcome feature of the Gyraf Signature cartridge for pro engineers is stepped gain control, which is provided in 12 steps:
- 1 = 22 dB
- 2 = 26 dB
- 3 = 32 dB
- 4 = 37 dB
- 5 = 42 dB
- 6 = 46 dB
- 7 = 49 dB
- 8 = 52 dB
- 9 = 56 dB
- 10 = 59 dB
- 11 = 61 dB
- 12 = 63 dB
GC Audio Gyraf Audio GY 4.5 Specs
General
| Compatibility | GC Audio Inherit Modular Preamp System |
| Pad | -28 dB |
| Input Impedance | 1 Kilohm |
| EIN | <-124 dB (150-Ohm Source at Max Gain, 22 Hz to 22 kHz) |
| THD+N | 0.1% (at 1 kHz) |
| Tubes | 2 x 12AU7 / ECC82 |
Power
| Power Source | Proprietary Interface (Built-In) |
Physical
| Mounting | Back: 1x Modular PCB Card Slot |
| Color | Black |
| Material of Construction | Metal |
| Dimensions | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Weight | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
In the Box
- GC Audio Gyraf Audio GY 4.5 Signature Cartridge for Inherit Modular Preamplifier System
- 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
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