Millennia announces the HV-3C Stereo High Voltage Microphone Preamplifier. In stock and shipping.

HV-3C offers two channels of Millenniaís acclaimed HV-3 microphone preamplifiers in a rugged 1U-19î steel rack case. As a successor to Millenniaís HV-3B stereo mic preamp, the HV-3C adds many desirable new features, including an improved power supply, newly designed front panel, and a digital output option.

The HV-3C employs 36 stepped gain positions with 1.5dB gain steps. Its predecessor, the HV-3B stereo micamp, offered 36-step gain as a $300 option. High resolution 36 step gain control is now standard on the HV-3C with no additional cost. The new front-panel design includes a 3/8î thick mirror gloss black aluminum face plate with hand-machined aluminum knobs and illuminated push-button switching. HV-3Cís power supply has also been improved for enhanced performance and longevity.

HV-3C is ready to accept a factory-upgraded 24 bit, 192 kHz Analog to Digital POW-r Converter, which is planned for delivery later in 2005. HV-3C is a discrete-hybrid design which provides for optional DPA 130 volt microphone inputs, as well as DC inputs, giving HV-3C an entirely DC-coupled signal path from input to output, without servo amplifiers.

Millennia's made-in-USA build quality is apparent, including silver-teflon power wiring, Neglex oxygen-free audio wiring, and components sourced from the finest manufacturers (Grayhill, Roederstein, Wima, Beyshlag, etc..), all part of what leading engineers call todayís most musically transparent microphone preamplifier. The HV-3C is sold through professional audio retailers at $1,995 MSRP.

For more info http://www.mil-media.com/docs/products/hv3c.shtml

So...what's the imporvement over the HV3b? The possibility of adding A/D card later?

Any actual preamp difference better or worse?

The C model now has identical controls to the D model. The HV-3 itself has not been "improved" as there's probably no room or need to improve on what is a brilliant mic preamp design. The new C also offers 130V "high voltage" inputs for B&K (DPA) mics, and also DC input options. And will accept the 24-bit 192 kHz A/D "POW-R" converters option. The C power supply has also been upgraded from the B. The C also has the D series "mirror gloss black aluminum face plate with hand-machined aluminum knobs and illuminated push-button switching".

It's just a better version of what was the B and closer to the larger D series. And the price is still the same as the B version. A good step forward, IMO.