P8 is equipped with eight identically designed microphone preamplifiers. All eight preamps have a discrete design – without ICs, made of individual transistors. This is typical for absolute high-end preamplifiers and is one of the main reasons for the outstanding sound. Besides an analog gain control for adjusting the preamplification, each of the eight preamps features an individually switchable phantom power supply (48 V), a PAD switch, a phase inversion function and a switchable analog high-pass filter.

With the optional eight-channel ADAT converter, the purely analog P8 can be digitally connected to an audio interface. P8 paves the way for high-quality multi-channel recording sessions. The eight microphone inputs of the P8 are equipped with Neutrik XLR sockets and gold-plated contacts. The signal transmission is electronically balanced, at a nominal level of 0 dBu.

In the version without optional AD converter, P8 has two DB25 sockets at the output stage. Both of these provide the analog line level output signal from microphone preamps 1 to 8. The analog output signal can be connected to a multi-channel AD converter, for example, with the DB25 input common to this type of device, and in parallel to a second recording device. An additional external signal splitter for back-up systems during a recording session is therefore no longer necessary.

With all SPL devices SPL develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. Many important components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way SPL can ensure that they can use the best sounding components. P8 has a 4 mm thick, black anodised aluminium front panel and aluminium knobs milled from solid. The housing is made of high-quality steel and is powder-coated in elegant black.

P8 can also be configured with an optional eight-channel AD converter with ADAT outputs. The digital outputs replace the second analog eight-channel DB25 output of the P8. This allows P8 to be connected directly to the digital ADAT inputs of an audio interface.

The converter chip in the optional digital-to-analog converter is the highly acclaimed AKM AK5538 ADC chip, which thanks to its architecture reproduces the finest sound details. The AD converter converts analog audio signals with sampling rates of up to 192 kHz and therefore recommends itself as the first choice for transferring the maximum sonic quality of the microphone preamps of the P8 to the digital world.

Key Features:

• 8-channel mic preamplifier and A/D converter with ADAT
• Discrete transistor circuit design
• Per-channel balanced XLR inputs
• Per-channel 20dB pad, polarity reverse, 48V phantom power, and 80Hz, 6dB/octave HPF
• 8-channel analog output via DB-25 port
• Installed 8-channel A/D converter with ADAT outputs
• Meticulously crafted in Germany