Chameleon Labs 7603 XMOD

The basic circuit design of the 7603 XMOD is based on legendary preamps from the 60s and 70s. The finest UK transformers from Carnhill are also used, which give the signal its very own vintage character, especially when driven more powerfully. After the input transformer, the audio signal passes through a series of carefully crafted circuits. Firstly, the input stage with a newly developed discrete operational amplifier, which has fantastically low noise values, a high headroom and an extreme bandwidth. This is followed by the five-stage switchable high-pass filter and the semi-parametric 3-band EQ - with cow-tail filters for bass and treble and a bell filter for the mids. The operating frequency can be selected with a switching potentiometer. The EQ is deliberately based on the proven vintage concept of the 7602, but with new coils specially developed by Chameleon Labs, which are responsible for the coveted "musical" characteristics of the EQ. Finally, the signal passes through a cleverly designed adjustable output stage, which ensures minimal round noise. On the front of the 7603 XMOD there are six high-quality toggle switches on the left-hand side, which can be used to switch from line to microphone input, adjust the input impedance to the respective microphone used (300 [Ohm] or 1200 [Ohm]), activate the DI input, switch on the EQ section, turn the phase and switch on the 48 V phantom power. The Mic/Line/DI input is selected via internal relays. The DI input (6.35 mm TS jack) is designed for high impedance (100 k[Ohm]) so that an electric guitar, an electric bass or an I/O guitar can be connected directly to it. On the right-hand side, next to the output potentiometer, there is a quality VU meter with calibrated ballistics, which was specially developed for the 7603 XMOD and can be switched to either the input or output.