wow - I don't see a gain/volume pot ... is this a fixed thingy?

No, each channel has a gain range of 10 - 70 dB in 5dB steps, controlled by the d.c. voltages presented on pins 2 and 3 of the centre XLR connector. This two-channel pre-amp is $2600.

The single-channel version of the pre-amp ($1800) has a front-panel gain control knob in addition to the external voltage-control. There's a separate Model GC34 gain-control box ($450) for setting the gains of up to 4 channels, including muting and phase-reverse functions. I imagine this is so you could have the pre-amps in your live room (or on stage) and just the GC34 in your control room (or at the mix position).

thanks man for the fast answer. so do I get this right (none electronic guy here) doing it this way (D.C. Volt control -> Gain) you adjust the gain for both channels at the same time?
that gain control box is certainly a good investment with this pre and having the pre in the rec room is the place where it belongs anyway :D

confused... I see the Gain Control XLR connection.. but what does this connect to? Are you saying there is a separate device with adjustable voltage controls that connects to the Pre via this XLR?

Yes, the XLR plug is a 2-channel d.c. input (using pins 2 and 3 referred to ground on pin 1) for controlling each channel separately. My guess is that there is a ladder of comparators or a low-resolution ADC on each of the two control inputs, as it needs only 4 bits plus 1 more for invert (polarity control). So, for example, zero volts could be mute, then half volt steps positive take the gain from 10dB up to 70dB, and similar voltages negative would be the same gains but with polarity inversion.

There is a separate box (GC34, top unit in [="http://www.gordonaudio.com/images/Combo%201.jpg"]this picture[/]) that produces the necessary control signals from front-panel knobs and buttons. The design appears to be let down a bit for rack-mount operations by having the XLR control input on the front of the pre-amp but fed from a socket on the rear of the controller. This would not matter in the remote operation scheme I mentioned earlier, since the d.c control volts could be sent down standard XLR interconnects or tie-lines.

Thanks for the clarification Bos.

So has anyone here actually used this pre?

Any thoughts?

I'd certainly be interested in hearing one. It looks from the photo as though a lot of care has gone into the design, and getting your company name stamped on all the capacitors shows real class.

Purely as a remark, however, I don't see any transformers in the signal paths.

I'm sure its absolutely awesome. To make a guess, I have a Millennia M-2b here which it hands down my favourite pre . It looks similar to the Gordon inside.
To give you an idea, comparing the M2b to example, a GR MP 2NV, which is a Neve type with a stellar reputation, its like AM to FM. The difference is not subtle. Its huge, clear but silky.

I would love one of those. I bet it would be on all the time. Stellar.

I don't judge a pre by the look but it's seems like good engineering!

Reminds me that the cutest girls I was with were the craziests !! ;)

hehe, I know what you mean. I saw one of those yesterday and got instant G.A.S . Girl Acquisition Syndrome. :love: