Grace Design m501 500 Series Module Microphone Preamplifier - Signature Clarity in a Compact Form
This is the stereo pair listing.
The Grace Design m501 brings the renowned transparency and detail of the m101 mic preamplifier into the 500 series format, offering a natural, musical option amidst a market of colored preamps. With its balanced, transformerless transimpedance design, the m501 is perfect for engineers who trust their source, mic choice, and placement, delivering uncolored audio with minimal distortion. Built in the USA with a 20-year warranty, this module is a premium addition to any 500 series rack.
Pristine Audio Performance
Featuring a fast transimpedance architecture and 0.5% precision metal film resistors, the m501 ensures exceptional clarity across a 10-75 dB gain range, enhanced by a 0-10 dB output trim. Its Ribbon Mic Mode raises input impedance to 20 kΩ, bypasses decoupling capacitors, and locks out 48V phantom power, safeguarding ribbon mics while optimizing dynamic mic performance.
Versatile and Reliable Design
Equipped with a 12-position gold-plated rotary gain switch, 75 Hz HPF, and 1/4” Hi-Z input, the m501 handles any microphone—large diaphragm, vintage ribbon, or dynamic—with ease. A high-performance output line driver and enhanced RFI suppression ensure clean signal integrity, all housed in a laser-etched black anodized front panel with LED indicators for 48V, Ribbon Mode, and HPF.
Studio-Grade Quality for All
Whether capturing delicate acoustics or robust instrument tracks, the m501 offers studio-quality sound in a compact, bombproof package. Its wide bandwidth and low noise make it a go-to preamp for professionals seeking precision without coloration, backed by Grace Design’s legendary reliability and craftsmanship.
Key Features of the Grace Design m501
- Fast, musical transimpedance architecture with 0.5% precision resistors
- 12-position gold-plated rotary gain switch for accurate control
- Ribbon Mic Mode: 20 kΩ impedance, phantom lockout, capacitor bypass
- Wide 10-75 dB gain range with 0-10 dB output trim
- High-performance output line driver and 75 Hz HPF amplifier
- 1/4” Hi-Z input with sealed gold-contact relay switching
- Enhanced RFI suppression for clean signal integrity
- Laser-etched black anodized front panel with LED indicators (48V, Ribbon, HPF)
- 20-year warranty on parts and labor, built in the USA
Technical Specifications
- Gain Range: Mic Input: 10-65 dB, Hi-Z Input: -10-45 dB, Output Trim: 0-10 dB
- THD+N (1 kHz, 22 Hz-22 kHz BW): <0.00085% (20 dB Gain), <0.0010% (40 dB Gain), <0.0050% (60 dB Gain) @ +20 dBu
- Intermodulation Distortion: <0.0020% (SMPTE/DIN 4:1, 7 kHz/50 Hz, 40 dB Gain)
- Noise (Referred to Input, 60 dB Gain):
- CMRR (60 dB Gain, 3.5Vcm): >55 dB (100 Hz), >75 dB (1 kHz), >65 dB (10 kHz)
- Frequency Response: Mic: 3.8 Hz-288 kHz (-3 dB), 8.35 Hz-135 kHz (-0.5 dB) @ 40 dB Gain; Hi-Z: 1.7 Hz-180 kHz (-3 dB), 4 Hz-72 kHz (-0.5 dB) @ 20 dB Gain
- Impedance: Mic: 8.1 kΩ (Standard), 20 kΩ (Ribbon); Hi-Z: 2.5 MΩ (Unbalanced), 5 MΩ (Balanced); Output: 300Ω (Balanced), 150Ω (Unbalanced)
- Maximum Output: 27 dBu (0.1% THD, 100 kΩ Load, API Lunchbox)
- Peak LED Thresholds: Green: -10 dBu, Red: +16 dBu
- Power Consumption: 120 mA Max from +16V/-16V Supplies
- Dimensions: H: 5.25” (13.34 cm), W: 1.5” (3.81 cm), D: 6.6” (16.75 cm)
- Weight: 0.7 lbs (316 g)
