Sonum H2O new 500 series preamp

[jac]

I've tested a prototype few months ago. Sounds very clean and transparent.



Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[Retinal]

Still didn't have the time to properly test it, just really quick and found it very detailed and open sounding, on Monday I have a band in studio starting a new work, Ima test this "in the field" and also planning on doing a couple of files more, maybe acoustic and vocals.

Here's the product homepage anyways: Sonum

[AudioHeaven]

I have recorded w/ this. The sound is gorgeous. One of the most detailed I have heard. On thewebsite there are some useful audio clips comparing the preamp w/ others like ISA and the Soundcraft 3200 Pres. And for the price is quite interesting. Best used on : acoustic guitars, pianos and acoustic bass.

[Cody]

Performance and design, Sonum H2O elevates the standards between the preamplifiers -

Found this link with a little more info. Italian! I'd put a couple of these in a lunchbox just for the aesthetic value! Love to hear it in action.

[Retinal]

I will post some samples soon, been outrageously busy lately.
I did tracked with it tho' and it's absolutely impressive, headroom and massive amount of clean gain, also the meter lights are super cool
It does look pretty in the box

[Retinal]

First files/samples.

I've been able to make a very short shootout between Api 512, 1073, Gama, CL 7602 and the Sonum H2O,
male vocal, nothing scientific, different takes while picking the right preamp for this vocalist.
Mic U87, tracked @ 44.10/24bit

the files are numbered, try to guess and tell me which one is your fav

I'll post the answer later on

HERE'S THE FILES

[Sonum]

I would update you on developments about our product: preamplifier H2O!

We have published online the website www.sonum.it in Italian, English,
French and Spanish, we released the first demo tracks comparison on link:
Sonum Demo

ZioGiorgio started talking to us on link:
Sonum Presents H2O Class A Discreet-Component Preamp

new entry on 500 Series DataBase:
500 Series Database | LunchBoxHero | 500 Series Database

[Sonum]

A sound engineer should be amazed when listening to it, Sonum
H20 microphone preamplifier was built keeping this in mind.

H2O Evolution II
* New Design
* Better DI
* New Steinless Steel shield

[Sonum]

Now on sale on Thomann

[Sonum]

[ionian]

Just learned about it. Looks gorgeous! Bumping for anyone with some experience with it.

The whole concept of immediately boosting the gain to maximum and then using the "gain" knob as really an attenuator is something different.

Regards,
Frank

[Sonum]

Originally Posted by ionian

Just learned about it. Looks gorgeous! Bumping for anyone with some experience with it.

The whole concept of immediately boosting the gain to maximum and then using the "gain" knob as really an attenuator is something different.

Regards,
Frank

The potentiometers on the market boost the signal when turned clockwise. However the drawback is that the S/N ratio is heavily altered low volume levels, let alone when the signal is padded. This is due to the noise-floor being the same at each regulation. Inside the Sonum© H20 the potentiometer acts by modifying the circuit architecture and changing the gain alone. This way, the S/N ratio is never modified and remains constant. The input impedance does not change with the volume being regulated, as a consequence the sonic quality is not affected in the least. In order to achieve this using non-custom potentiometers (so as to cut the final costs but maintaining the same top quality) we used an normal logarithmic potentiometer and not an inverted logarithmic potentiometer. This is why the knob is turned anti-clockwise.
+
The PAD, like the gain, does not operate the traditional way. It is fully active, which means it cuts down the gain of the active components without introducing passive power or altering the sound quality.
The result of all this is a top-end preamp featuring incredible volume gain; unprecedented sonic detail; rich and transparent sound with no distortion whatsoever even when pushed hard.

[manzini]

a irrelevant question, only vicious geek curiosity:

Can you describe active/passive components used, smt or thru hole ? some inside pictures ?

[Sonum]

OK Manzini!
passive components:
on audio path =>
Professional Resistors tollerance 1% with Advanced thin film technology for Medical equipment.
Cap MMK Metallized polyester film. Radial leads of tinned wire are electrically welded to the contact metal layer on the ends of the capacitor winding.
Front Neutrik connector.
Custom knobs.

on power path =>
Aluminium Electytic Capacitors enabled high ripple current by a reduction of impedance at high frequency range, low ESR, load life: 105°C 5000hours

particular thruhole components -> Rotary switch, non-corrosive materials, 25,000 cycle minimum, very hard! stop strength 8 in. lbs. minimum

particular smt components =>
SmartLED Hyper-Bright Low Current LED SMT package 0603 smallest package 1.7 mm x 0.8 mm x 0.65 mm (12 leds Vu-Meter)

PCB 4 layer gold and galvanic gold contact



active components:
Audio input: discrete components, topology class A
Only thruhole Op and components discrete from old style (NO Modern smt!!!)

More audio files and pictures on my site web, now the inside picture.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Sonum

OK Manzini!
passive components:
on audio path =>
Professional Resistors tollerance 1% with Advanced thin film technology for Medical equipment.
Cap MMK Metallized polyester film. Radial leads of tinned wire are electrically welded to the contact metal layer on the ends of the capacitor winding.
Front Neutrik connector.
Custom knobs.

on power path =>
Aluminium Electytic Capacitors enabled high ripple current by a reduction of impedance at high frequency range, low ESR, load life: 105°C 5000hours

particular thruhole components -> Rotary switch, non-corrosive materials, 25,000 cycle minimum, very hard! stop strength 8 in. lbs. minimum

particular smt components =>
SmartLED Hyper-Bright Low Current LED SMT package 0603 smallest package 1.7 mm x 0.8 mm x 0.65 mm (12 leds Vu-Meter)

PCB 4 layer gold and galvanic gold contact



active components:
Audio input: discrete components, topology class A
Only thruhole Op and components discrete from old style (NO Modern smt!!!)

More audio files and pictures on my site web, now the inside picture.

looks sweet.