Presonus TubePre V2 Vacuum Tube Preamp + DI Direct Box, For Recording/Live Sound

The TubePre V2 is a single-channel tube preamp and direct box that adds color and gain in front of your interface. A dual-servo gain stage with no capacitors pushes the signal to hot levels without a matching rise in background noise, and discrete components with high-voltage operation give it dynamic range and detail beyond most single-channel tube preamps in its class.

The signal path starts with PreSonus XMAX Class A solid-state circuitry: 30V power rails for headroom, deep lows and clear highs, genuine transistors and resistors instead of op-amps for low noise, and Class A operation with no crossover distortion. From there the signal hits a hand-selected 12AX7 vacuum tube stage. Turn the saturation control up and you move from gentle warmth to full fuzz, all on one knob.

Every 12AX7 is tested for electrical conformity and freedom from microphonics, since a vibrating tube element adds noise and can cause feedback. That testing is why the tone stays consistent take after take.

Separate rear-panel inputs make it two tools in one: a balanced XLR mic input for condensers and dynamics, and an unbalanced 1/4 in. Hi-Z input that turns it into a direct box for guitar and bass. Outputs are available on balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4 in. A 48V phantom power switch, 80 Hz high-pass filter, -20 dB pad, polarity reverse, clip LED, and a backlit VU meter cover the rest of the front panel. The 1/3U chassis screw-mounts to a standard rack tray or travels in a gig bag.