Andrew Lipinski on preamp design: "In order to decide what technology to use to build a timeless microphone preamp, I took the time to evaluate all components from the ground up: preamps built with transformers, transformerless designs, old classics and contemporary designs, preamps built on tubes, on discrete transistors, on integrated circuits and on a combination of all of these. Again, this was some of the most extensive research I accomplished throughout my life. Finally my research and development concluded with the following design:"

• Both units (L-408 and L-409) have front panel switchable, two position turn ratio. They have different cores, therefore they sound different. In case of the second, saturating it with high input signal recalls the effect of the old, pricey classics with some contemporary "edge".
• Each transformer has two amplifying stages, two separate 10 step gain controls, and two meters representing each stage: The first stage is built on discrete transistors and has class A circuitry with minimal negative feedback, and with a separate unbalanced output. The second stage uses the fastest available current feedback and voltage feedback integrated amplifiers, and has three separated balanced outputs, each built on slightly different IC. Selecting transformer ratio, setting a particular gain at the first and a separate gain at the second stage and selecting particular balanced output gives a talented engineer/producer an enormous creative palette of sounds.. Selecting transformer ratio, setting a particular gain at the first and a separate gain at the second stage gives a talented engineer/producer an enormous creative palette of sounds.
• Copper anodized enclosure for the best RFI protection
• Separate Power Supply (L-410) with oversized toroidal transformer
• Modular Construction

Notice that this is only one of the preamp modules for which you need an additional power supply (see: L-410 Power Supply)