ART TPS II 2-Channel Variable Impedance Tube Preamp

by ART

Product Features

• Variable Input Impedance Newly enhanced V3 Variable Valve Voicing LED input meter Analog output meter Enhanced ART Tube Technology Automatically switches between instrument and mic preamp Wide frequency response (5hz-50kHz) Enhanced OPL Output Protection Limiter Toroidal transformer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0002E58DS
• Item model number: TPSII
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,598 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #50 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Preamps

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The TPS II (Tube Preamp System 2) is a two channel high performance preamplifier coupled with ART’s proprietary V3™ (Variable Valve Voicing) functionality. With variable valve voicing, the TPS II is completely versatile and maintains a high quality of performance you would expect from an ART tube preamp. The TPS II also features variable input impedance which allows users to dial in and match any microphone type from large condensers to ribbon mics.

Like it’s predecessor, the DPS, our newly improved V3 feature provides optimized reference points to begin the recording process for guitars, bass guitars, synths, acoustic instruments, percussion, vocals and more. Unique to its’ class, the TPS II provides level monitoring with two analog meters as well as two newly added input monitoring LED meters. High-Z instruments or balanced microphone signals are input through front and rear panel jacks.

This newly enhanced TPS II can accept +20 dB peaks while maintaining over 120 dB dynamic range, quiet performance and incredibly low distortion.

ART’s legendary tube stage maintains our classic "warm sound" and adds additional tube voicing specifically tailored to vocal, guitar, bass, and acoustic instruments making the TPS II an incredible DI box. Our OPL™ (Output Protection Limiting) feature is also included to control overshoots and normalize levels before clipping occurs.

The TPS II was conceived, designed and manufactured to the highest standards to provide years of quiet, reliable performance. Audition one, and you too will know why the TPS II is indeed the most cost effective professional mic preamp system you’ll find on the market today.

Product Description

The TPS II (Tube Preamp System 2) is a two channel high performance preamplifier coupled with ART?s proprietary V3? (Variable Valve Voicing) functionality. With variable valve voicing, the TPS II is completely versatile and maintains a high quality of performance you would expect from an ART tube preamp. The TPS II also features variable input impedance which allows users to dial in and match any microphone type from large condensers to ribbon mics. The newly improved V3 feature provides optimized reference points to begin the recording process for guitars, bass guitars, synths, acoustic instruments, percussion, vocals and more. Unique to its? class, the TPS II provides level monitoring with two analog meters as well as two newly added input monitoring LED meters. High-Z instruments or balanced microphone signals are input through front and rear panel jacks. This newly enhanced TPS II can accept +20 dB peaks while maintaining over 120 dB dynamic range, quiet performance and incredibly low distortion. ART?s legendary tube stage maintains a classic ?warm sound? and adds additional tube voicing specifically tailored to vocal, guitar, bass, and acoustic instruments making the TPS II an incredible DI box. ART's OPL? (Output Protection Limiting) feature is also included to control overshoots and normalize levels before clipping occurs. Variable Input Impedance Newly Enhanced V3? Variable Valve Voicing LED Input Meter Analog Output Meter Enhanced ART Tube ...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolute junk, not a true tube preamp., February 3, 2011

By 

Ryan S. (NY,NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ART TPS II 2-Channel Variable Impedance Tube Preamp (Electronics)

I originally bought this for a friend that was trying to setup a small home studio. It was easily the biggest audio-purchasing mistake I have ever made. We plugged the ART TPS up and it sounded horrible so, I said "screw it I will switch out the tube with a mesa-boogie". Well I opened up the ART TPS switched out the tube and it made absolutely no difference! I thought I may have done something wrong took a closer look and was surprised by what I found. The ART TPS is simply a solid state preamp (a poor one at that) which runs the signal through the tube in an attempt to add some warmth. This is just an absolute waste of money.

Alternatives:
I am not a fan of bringing up a problem then not providing an alternative so here are a few good choices for preamps.

1. The Mackie Blackjack. It uses the same excellent onyx preamps you will find in their higher end models. They have an amazing amount of gain (enough to drive a dynamic mic without noise) and a hint of warmth. Also you get a very good computer interface. Best part is that it is the same price as the TPS 2.

2. The ART MPA. I know it seems odd that I slam one ART product only to recommend another but, the MPA unlike the TPS 2 is a true tube preamp. Stock it sounds pretty good but if you switch out the tubes it can sound great. Although it is about twice the price as the TPS 2.

3. The Presonus Bluetube. I have not personally used this preamp but have some friends that really like it. The Bluetube costs slightly more than the TPS 2.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's well constructed but delivers average sound quality, June 3, 2009

By 

Samuel Londe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ART TPS II 2-Channel Variable Impedance Tube Preamp (Electronics)

I replaced the tubes with a $65 Tung Sol tube thinking that it would be a night and day exerience in terms of quality - that wasn't the case. Just like ALL things audio, and life for that matter, you get what you pay for.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK preamp, but here's a better option..., February 20, 2010

By 

Tubular Tom "Music Lover" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ART TPS II 2-Channel Variable Impedance Tube Preamp (Electronics)

I bought this ART TPS II to add some tube warmth to my home A/V system, which I also use in my hobby - digital audio restoration of LPs and tapes (not for pro use). While it sure looks cool (and only takes up 1 RU in my rack), I can't recommend it for several reasons. First, quality control is lacking. Mine arrived defective; one of the input LEDs was on constantly regardless of input. And the input LEDs were not balanced between Channels 1 and 2; one read much higher than the other. Second, the presets on the V3 knobs limit the choices available. I couldn't find one that sounded right, either too bright or not enough clarity. (BTW, I prefer the term tube "clarity" or tube "sweetness" to "warmth" since that describes what I'm looking for better.) Third, there's no bypass switch to A/B the unit in or out of the system.

However, the seller, Musician's Friend, was very easy to deal with. A quick phone call to a very nice customer service woman gave me free shipping back and a prompt refund. So I'd recommend them highly.

A much better option for a hybrid tube preamp is the Behringer T1954 Tube Ultrafex, which I bought elsewhere (Amazon/Musician's Friend don't carry it). The Behringer is much better quality, both physically and sound-wise. It's extremely flexible, with an array of knobs to adjust various parameters in both the high and low frequency ranges (lacking in the ART). It has special circuitry that phase-shifts the program based on frequency to align the bass with the other frequencies (to correct delays introduced during the recording process) for stronger, more balanced bass. It has an easy-to-use Noise Reduction sensitivity control coupled with 3 LEDs, which boosts the highs without adding noise. It has a Surround Processor which generates an ambient signal, delays it based on the music, then mixes it back.

The sound is a revelation. Finally, I've got that wonderful, smooth, sweet, clear sound of live music that only tubes can provide. And for $10 less than the ART! This is the second piece of Behringer gear I own, and I still can't figure how they make such high quality stuff at ridiculously low prices. And I haven't mentioned how cool this T1954 looks, with big "retro" VU meters and two 12AX7A's behind the glass windows. Highly recommended.