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Wolff Audio RefPre 500 Series Microphone & Instrument Preamp
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Wolff Audio RefPre 500 Series Microphone & Instrument Preamp
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Gold Coverage Protection
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Gold Coverage Protection
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
- Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks
- Normal wear and tear
- Power surges
- Dust, internal heat and humidity
Other plan features include:
- For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)
- For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Musician's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.
- Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement
- Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold
- Plans are renewable on new gear
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions (Opens in new window) for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
A 500 Series preamp with transparent tone and ribbon support.
The Wolff Audio RefPre 500 Series microphone and instrument preamp delivers clean, transparent sound with minimal circuitry. This reference preamp keeps your audio true to the source, using a transformerless design and relay-based switching for reliability. With a stepped rotary switch, users can adjust gain from -10dB–60dB in 10dB steps, supporting everything from high-output condensers to delicate ribbon microphones. Ribbon mode automatically increases gain to 70dB and protects the mic from phantom power. The unit’s frequency response holds steady from 10Hz–80kHz, and the +28dBu output headroom covers everything from heavy drums to soft vocals. Front and rear panel inputs plus a dedicated Hi-Z amp for instruments add studio flexibility.
Wolff Audio Build Delivers Uncolored, Accurate Recording
Engineers who track with sampling or emulation microphones, like the Slate VMS, benefit from this preamp’s transparent sound. Its low noise floor and high headroom suit detailed work with mics such as the Neumann TLM 103 or Earthworks TC25. The continuous output fader, trim control and high-pass filter offer precise control for any signal. Switching polarity and phantom power keeps the workflow safe for delicate ribbon styles. Every session gains repeatable accuracy, helping users capture the real detail of their instruments and vocals without added color.
Features
- Transparent design preserves pure sound with minimal circuitry and signal paths
- 60dB of gain handles dynamic and condenser mics with ease
- Ribbon mic mode adds 10dB gain and protects against phantom power
- +/-6dB trim control provides precise fine-tuning for ideal levels
- High-pass filter removes rumble and low-frequency noise below 80Hz
- Front panel Hi-Z input optimized for direct recording of instruments
- -125dBu EIN ensures low noise, even at maximum gain levels
- Signal LED monitors input levels, flashing red 10dB below clipping
Experience pure, uncolored sound with the Wolff Audio RefPre 500 Series microphone and instrument preamp—precision-engineered for unmatched clarity, headroom and professional-grade performance.
RefPre 500 Series Microphone & Instrument Preamp Specifications:
General- Product type: 500 Series microphone and instrument preamp
- Series: RefPre 500
- Design: Transformerless
- Gain range: -10dB–60dB (stepped in 10dB increments)
- Additional gain: +10dB (Ribbon mic circuit)
- Trim control: ±6dB
- High-pass filter: Switchable 12dB/octave at 80Hz
- Frequency response: ±0.5dB from 10Hz–80kHz
- Noise floor: -125dBu EIN
- Distortion: 0.0005% at 60dB of gain
- Mic preamp type: SuperAnalogue and VHD
- Gain: Up to 70dB (Ribbon mic mode)
- Impedance options: 1.3 kohm and 11 kohm
- Phantom power: Yes (+48V, with safety lockout for ribbon mics)
- Polarity invert: Yes
- Pad: Yes
- Ribbon mic mode: Adjusts impedance and adds +10dB gain
- Harmonic control: 2nd order (warmth) and 3rd order (edge)
- Input Flip: Yes (routes line input through mic pre)
- Mic input: Front and back panel XLR
- Instrument input: Front panel Hi-Z input
- Mic/INST switch: Yes (source selector for XLR/INST input)
- Output trim: Continuous adjustment from -∞ to full output
- Insert point: Yes, for external devices
- External sidechain input: Yes
- Signal indicator: LED glows green on signal, flashes red at +18dBu
- High-pass filter: 12dB/octave, switchable at 80Hz
- Gain adjustment: Stepped rotary switch for repeatable settings
- Sidechain routing: Yes (filters can be routed to sidechain)
Questions & Answers
Do you have questions about this product?
- Free Standard Ground shipping (48 contiguous states, some overweight and Used/Vintage items excluded).
- Orders placed before 3 p.m. ET usually ship the same business day.
Every guitar or bass you purchase from Musician's Friend (electric or acoustic, New or Open Box) includes two years of protection from manufacturer defects.
Our Gear Advisers are available to guide you through your entire shopping experience. Call or Chat for expert advice and to hear the latest deals.
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