Evanston, IL 60204 USA Toll Free: 866-379-1450 Fax: 847-864-8076 Ship: 1728 Brummel St. Evanston, IL 60202 USA THE JOHN HARDY COMPANY www.johnhardyco.com
MPC-3000 Mic Preamp Card
January 1, 2004
Superior plug-in replacement for Sony MXP3000-series console mic preamps.
The MPC-3000 mic preamp card dramatically improves the performance of Sony MXP 3000-series consoles. The combination of the Jensen JT-16-B mic-input transformer (Jensen's best mic-input model), the 990C discrete class-A op-amp, and the total absence of coupling capacitors in the signal path results in superior audio performance. Just plug it in! Highlights The Jensen JT-16-B Input Transformer. This pacitor is absorbed by the dielectric of the 990 can drive long cables and loads as low is Jensen's best mic-input model. Jensen is capacitor, then released a short time later. as 75Ω, something monolithic op-amps can- known worldwide for their superior audio This smears the signal. Transformerless de- not do. See the 990 data package for further transformers. If you thought transformers signs require these capacitors to keep the information. were a compromise, you haven't heard the phantom supply voltage from reaching the JT-16-B! circuitry of the preamp. Transformers inher- Elimination of All Coupling Capacitors from ently block DC voltages, eliminating the the Signal Path results in less degradation of The JT-16-B is a large, low impedance ratio need for the capacitors. the audio signal. Two superior techniques (150:600Ω) transformer made with a propri- are used to accomplish this: etary 80% nickel (nickel-iron-molybdenum) The JT-16-B provides better common mode core material. The large size allows it to rejection than transformerless designs, im- 1. Input bias current compensation circuitry handle extremely high signal levels: +12dBu portant in electrically noisy environments. It nulls out the small DC currents (thus volt- at 30Hz and above, +8dBu at 20Hz. The low handles common mode voltages as high as ages) that flow from the inputs of the 990 ratio provides less distortion, flatter frequen- ±300V peak. Transformerless designs are (or any op-amp), voltages that could cause cy response and more linear phase response usually limited to maximum voltages equal noise when operating the gain controls. This than more typical high-ratio transformers to their power supply voltages, typically circuitry also reduces the DC offset voltage (150:15kΩ). The proprietary 80% nickel ±15V to ±18V. at the output of the 990. Most other mic core material is far superior to, and much preamps use coupling capacitors to block more expensive than the steel often found in The 990 Discrete Class-A Op-Amp is faster, the input bias currents, resulting in signal other transformers. quieter, more powerful and better sounding degradation. than the typical monolithic op-amps found The JT-16-B outperforms transformerless in other equipment. Each individual (dis- 2. DC servo circuitry nulls out the DC offset mic preamps because it eliminates the input crete) transistor, resistor, diode, capacitor voltage at the output of the 990, eliminating coupling capacitors that are required with and inductor of the 990 has been carefully the need for a traditional output coupling ca- transformerless designs. Capacitors degrade chosen for its task. This provides a level of pacitor to block that voltage. The signal the audio signal because they have a proper- performance that is not possible in a mono- degradation caused by that capacitor is also ty known as dielectric absorption, where lithic op-amp where all components are fab- eliminated. See the schematic on page 2 for some of the signal passing through the ca- ricated on the same tiny chip of silicon. The details.
1 Important Details 1% 100ppm Metal Film Resistors are used to will also have better, more linear perfor- may short-circuit, or lose most of their ca- provide greater initial accuracy, better long mance over a wider temperature range. Elec- pacitance. Whatever the failure mode, you term stability, and higher stability at ex- trolytic capacitors are more failure prone have a problem, even in equipment that nev- tremes of temperature. than most other components. Sometimes er approaches an operating temperature of they allow small amounts of DC current to 85°C. But not with the MPC-3000! Electrolytic Capacitors with a 105°C Temper- pass through (leakage current), causing pots ature rating are used instead of the more and switches to be noisy when operated. Fully Sealed 25-turn Cermet Trim Pots pro- common 85°C rated parts. This higher tem- (NOTE: in the MPC-3000 there are no ca- vide long, trouble-free life. Calibrations are perature capability means that they will last pacitors in the signal path, so this problem more accurate and easier to achieve. much longer than the lower rated parts. They cannot exist). Other electrolytic capacitors
CONDENSED SPECIFICATIONS (0dBu = 0.775V)
E.I.N., 20-20kHz unweighted 150Ω source: -129 dBu
0Ω source: -132 dBu Maximum input level ≥20Hz: +9 dBu Maximum output level at 990 output 75Ω load: +21 dBu CMRR 100Hz: 100 dB 10kHz: 80 dB Deviation from linear phase 20Hz-120kHz: <2 deg THD: 60dB gain, 10kΩ load, +21dBu output 10kHz: 0.005 % 1kHz: 0.004 % 40dB gain, 600Ω load, +21dBu output 10kHz: 0.003 % 1kHz: 0.003 % 40dB gain, 75Ω load, +21dBu output 10kHz: 0.030 % 1kHz: 0.005 % DC offset <100 μV 2
