Grace Design m801 mk2 8-Channel Microphone Preamp

In 1994 we released the Model 801 microphone preamplifier,¹ which was the first production model for Grace Design. It set a new standard of sonic quality and reliability for microphone preamplifiers, providing much better performance than the built-in circuits in the recording consoles of the day. It featured independent circuit boards for each channel, gold contact rotary gain controls wired with precision metal film resistors, a musical sounding transimpedance (current feedback) gain stage, gold contact sealed relay signal switching, and there were NO electrolytic capacitors in the signal path.²

12 years later, we released the next generation of this preamplifier, renamed the m801,³ which refined the design features of the previous version, and added a fully differential signal path and Ribbon Mic mode, which optimised the signal path for low output ribbon microphones.

Now 20 years later, the next generation is here, now named the m801mk2. Newly designed amplifier circuitry adds to the features of the previous versions while significantly improving noise performance at low gains, increasing low frequency bandwidth for improved phase response, improving RFI/EMI immunity for today’s ever noisier world,⁴and eliminating the external DC power supply for a cleaner, simpler design.⁵

Today’s modern recording studio is invariably loaded with incredible sonic processing capability, making the opportunity to add great sounding colour routine. But capturing the magic at the front end is still the job of skilfully designed analog hardware, for which there is no substitute. This makes our preamps more relevant than ever. If your source sounds great and your mic is plugged into the m801mk2, you’ll be rewarded with a recording of breathtaking depth and realism. If you choose to colour it up from there, you’ll be starting with the best possible raw material you can get.

1. We’re seriously dating ourselves here, which is fine because nearly every single Model 801 we built back then is still in service today.
2. Electrolytic capacitors sound bad, and contribute to the dreaded, hard edged ‘solid state sound’. Grace preamps sound impressively musical and open.
3. Bored lawyers at a big audio company informed us the word ‘model’ in front of the number ‘801’ was a copyright infringement, so we changed it to just ‘m’.
4. Your cell phone, WiFi antennas, bluetooth thingies, the odd transmission from Mars to your cat - that stuff can sneak into your audio and cause problems.
5. The new, carefully designed universal switch mode power supply is quiet, light and conveniently operates on mains voltages from 100-240VAC.

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