DIY Mic Pre Kits, Lunchbox Mic Preamp Kits, Power Supply Kits

Meet the newest member of the FiveFish Studios line of 500-Series preamps... the MX5 mk500 Mic Preamp.



Just like it's brother, the X-72mk500, the MX5 Mic Preamp features the same UK-made Carnhill Input Transformer to deliver that big, punchy, lots of low end mojo sound.

A custom made output transformer takes care of balancing the beefy outputs, and also adding it's own sonic signature.

Mil-spec Grayhill 12-stepped gain switch, and a separate Output Trim knob gives you fine control over this preamp. Lighted push-button switches gives a visual indicator for the status of your 48V phantom power, -20db Pad and Polarity Reverse switches.

Custom-made, solid machined aluminum knobs gives the MX5 preamp an expensive look. But don't let it's features and expensive looks fool you, the MX5 is priced very attractively to fit the budget of every home, project or recording studio while still delivering on performance and features!

You also have the option to use Discrete Op Amps (DOA) like 2520/990 type opamp with the MX5 preamp. Just swap out the stock chip, with a Discrete OpAmp for a slightly different flavor.


Photo showing the MX5 preamp along with our SC-1mk500, X-12mk500 and X-72mk500 Mic Preamps.

The MX5 sound is BIG, PUNCHY, and HUGE. It adds a deep, nice, WARM coloration to the sound. Really deep-sounding huge. And low frequencies come out punchy and TIGHT... thanks to the UK-made Carnhill Input Transformers.

The custom output transformer also gives the preamp a slight mid-forward, smooth sound character. A very fast video buffer driver chips (spec'd at 2000V/usec) drive this custom Output Transformer.

You can say the MX5 is a hybrid of our X-12 and X-72 preamp. The MX5 exhibits qualities that can be found on both preamps - I'm sure you will love this new preamp!

MSRP: $625 (with Carnhill/UK Input and Custom-made Output Transformer)



Using UK-made Carnhill Input Transformer
Custom Output Transformer
12-step Gain from 22dB to 68dB, at 4dB/step
-20dB Input Pad
High-quality parts
Option to use Discrete OpAmps with the 990/2520 format
Using high-performance chipsets, currently the best chip around
Using High-speed 2000V/us, video buffer, high-current transformer line driver
Using Grayhill switch - high quality mil-spec
with output trim Bourns potentiometer - so you can overdrive the input trafo and be able to trim the output of the pre.
Null offset trimmer adjustment
LED-lighted push buttons for 48V phantom, pads, and polarity reverse
Relay Controlled Polarity Reverse
Relay Controlled -20dB Pad
Soft-start/Ramp-up 48V Phantom Power
Includes on-board voltage regulators
Professional PCB, Rohs PCB with double-sided, plated-through holes, 2oz. copper
with soldermask, silkscreen layout,
Includes everything... 5-LED VU Meter, spacers, screws, knobs


NOTE: The MX5-mk500 Preamp requires an API 500 Series Rack or compatible rack.

You can also use discrete opamps with these preamps.
Discrete OpAmps not provided with preamps.

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