Datasheet

Digital Delivery Demands
Total Clarity
Microphone preampliers mag-
nify the input as much as 1000:1.
There’s no “Undo” after this point.
Coloration or distortion become
part of the signal. Lost informa-
tion can never be recovered. Data
compression algorithms (MPG,
AC3, DTS etc.) are unable to
distinguish signal from noise, so
preserving the clarity and integrity
of the signal through the recording
and production process is criti-
cal to communicating the artist’s
intention and individuality..
Purity Creates Possibilities
Digital workstations offer unlim-
ited tracks, total creative freedom.
But even advanced plug-ins can’t
“uncolor” sound, can’t restore lost
upper harmonic partials or the
ambience that contained the living
moment of performance. The HV-
3C is designed to transmit micro-
phone signals to recording devices
unaltered, not to impose a “sig-
nature” on basic tracks. Starting
with an open, transparent signal
puts you on the path to creative
exploration. No matter how subtle
or attractive, a colored “tweaked”
signal destroys options at every
link in the chain.
Experiment, Experience,
Excellence
The HV-3C was developed to meet
our need for a mic pre accurate
enough for the world’s nest clas-
sical soloists and ensembles. Text-
book theory remains incomplete.
Test instrument readings don’t
reliably measure the quality of
the listening experience. We took
a rigorously empirical approach,
exploring many design approaches
by attempting to perfect each one.
Experimental designs were evalu-
ated on the lab bench and in our
own production facility, where we
could compare recordings directly
to live performances. We proved to
ourselves that there’s no such thing
as a straight wire with gain. But
the HV-3C’s transformerless in-
put, balanced audio path, minimal
amplier design has brought us
closer than any other to our goal of
absolute accuracy and uncompro-
mised sonic realism.
Today, over 20,000 channels are
performing in symphonic halls,
stadium concerts and studios of
all sizes and shapes. Whatever the
venue or musical style, the HV-3C
delivers the authentic sound of
vocalists, acoustic instruments,
drums, triple guitar stacks... de-
lighting artists, engineers, produc-
ers and listeners around the world.
You Can Pay More, You
Can’t Spend Less
Initial purchase price is never a
design target at Millennia Media.
We strive to maximize return on
investment and minimize total cost
of ownership. The HV-3C is the
mic pre of choice at the highest
levels of the profession: it will re-
main a valuable and trusted tool no
matter how far your sonic explora-
tions take you. This is a tool you
can build a career around. Acquir-
ing an HV-3C is a step off the
upgrade treadmill: a step that will
ultimately save you much more
than your initial investment.
Authentic Transparency for Unrestricted Creativity
• Unsurpassed ambience retrieval
• Transformerless design with matched hi-speed discrete tran-
sistor octet has 23 dB input headroom: no attenuator “pads”
needed
• Uncolored timbral accuracy at all dynamic levels
• Entirely balanced audio path with precision components
maintains signal integrity: THD under 5 ppm (.0005%)
• Effortless, vividly realistic, musical performance
• Laser-trimmed FET-based output stage has 32 dB headroom:
drives 1000 foot (300 m) cable runs with ease
• Standard 36-step gain controls (1.5 dB per step) are stereo-
matched to .08 dB
• Ultra-clean toroid power supply
• Gold audio connectors and switches
• Mogami Neglex OFC audio wiring
• Silver Teon power wiring
• Welded 16 gauge steel rack chassis
Options
• 24-bit 192 kHz A/D “POW-R” converters (available summer
2006)
• DPA (B&K) +130 V mic inputs
• DC inputs for ideal performance with dynamic and ribbon
microphones
Not Quite What You Need?
• HV-3R Remote Controlled
• HV-3D4 & HV-3D8 Four- & Eight-Channel Mic Pre-amps
• MC-2B Stereo Vacuum Tube Mic Preamplifer