Get vintage color, modern transparency, or something in-between—all in one rack space—with the DP3, a versatile, hybrid-design stereo mic preamp from TK Audio. The unit provides a pair of pristine high-input-stage mic preamps with 80 dB of gain and selectable 48V phantom power for condenser microphones. In addition, selectable Class-A, germanium, and saturation controls let you add a wide range of vintage tonal options that include the midrange germanium crunch of the mid ‘60s, the low-mid punch and thick sound associated with British Class-A preamps from the early ‘70s, and the more modern tones of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Stereo Mic Preamp with 80 dB of Gain    Modern Circuitry with Selectable Class-A    Clean/Transparent or Vintage/Colored    Lundahl and Carnhill Transformers    Germanium and Saturation Circuits    Sweepable High-Pass Filter    Hi-Z Instrument Inputs    Selectable 48V Phantom Power    Output Level after Class-A Stage    8-LED Headroom Meter

• While the DP3 includes TK’s proven input stage and germanium circuit from the DP2, it also incorporates a new saturation circuit that—together with the vintage Class-A stage—gives you a broad palette of character choices.
• The input stage is designed around a high-quality Swedish Lundahl transformer and high gain stage, followed by selectable saturation and germanium circuits for even more color and harmonics.
• Instead of switching output stages, as was done in previous models, the Class-A stage is now inserted in front of the Output level control, letting you drive the transformer harder without overloading your A/D converters, while making the output less sensitive to different impedances.
• The Class-A stage uses a heavy, custom-made Carnhill transformer that produces a fat, punchy sound with midrange character and a warm top end.
• An 8-segment meter clealy displays headroom levels.

• The Hi-Z direct mode function bypasses the input transformer and input stage and sends the instrument signal directly to the high-pass filter and the selectable saturation and germanium circuits.
• The dedicated 2-megohm Hi-Z instrument input has a separate activation switch, so you can leave your instrument connected all the time.
• Direct mode gain is +14 dB, which is perfect for bass recording together with the Class-A stage. The sweepable 12 dB per octave high-pass filter goes from 30 Hz to 400 Hz for precision crafting of the low end.

• Hi-Z input: high-impedance instrument input with 2-megohm input impedance
• In: activates the instrument input
• Direct: bypasses the mic input stage and feeds the Hi-Z input stage directly to the HPF
• 48V phantom power switch: with separate LED indicator 
• Gain switch in 5 dB steps: -25 to -80 dB, +5 dB to -25 (with -30 dB pad selected)
• Headroom meter: this LED meter is a headroom meter not a VU meter. It is connected before the Output level control to show the internal headroom, even if you have lowered the output level. With the level at maximum, the meter indicates clipping at +25 dB.
• -30 dB: pads the input signal by -30 dB (for best signal to noise ratio, avoid the 30 dB pad if not needed)
• Impedance: switches the mic input impedance (1600/400 ohms)
• Sweepable high-pass filter: 30 to 400 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Saturation: inserts a saturation stage for extra harmonics after the HPF
• Germanium: inserts a germanium stage after the HPF (for more color, select higher gain and back off a little with the output level control)
• Class-A: engages Class-A Carnhill transformer stage for fat, punchy sound
• Output level control: adjusts the output level after the Class-A stage if inserted
• Polarity switch: flips the output polarity

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can I mount a rode boom mic like the ntg 4+ into the xlr-k3m socket/mount that holds the sony boom mic in all the photos?

A: Yes, the NTG4+ will fit the mic holder on the XLR K3m. For mics that fit loosely, you could use rubber rings like B&H # SAROCS .

Q: 2. Just to set this straight: can you record four channels (XLR 1, XLR 2 & 3.5 mm stereo) with the A7S III?

A: No, the XLR-K3M is a two-channel adapter kit designed for Sony cameras that use their Multi Interface Shoe. The kit includes the XLR-A3M two-channel mixer/adapter and ECM-XM1 shotgun microphone. Only two microphones can be connected to the XLR-A3M - one on each of the XLR-1/4" combo jack inputs or one single stereo mic connected to the stereo 3.5mm mini jack input. Here is a link to the user manual for additional information: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/615688.pdf

Q: 3. I would prefer using my much higher quality Sennheiser 416 with this setup. Is that possible?

A: Yes, you can use the Sennheiser MKH 416 with the Sony XLR-K3M adapter.

Q: 4. Did Sony stop making these? Haven't seen them again.

A: The The Sony XLR-K3M Dual-Channel Digital XLR Audio Adapter Kit with Shotgun Microphone BH #SOXLRK3M is still available. Please sign up for a stoclk alert at the webpage for this item: ttps://bhpho.to/3iko7I0

Q: 5. How does one connect an existing XLR shot gun mic to a Sony A7 riv?

A: You can use this same adapter and use your mic instead on the one that comes with it.

Q: 6. Does this LENS HOOD fit the 50-500mm sigma lens ?

A: The Sigma LH3-01 Lens Hood for DP3 Merrill is specifically designed to fit the 50mm lens of the DP3 Merrill and will not be compatible with the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3. Unfortunately, we do not carry the dedicated lens hood for this lens at the current time, however, you can try the B+W 95mm Screw-In Metal Lens Hood: http://bhpho.to/1nPRIs5

Q: 7. Since the a9ii has a lot of similar specs with the A7R4 I'm wondering if this unit works with the A9ii digitally? On any other Sony bodies do you get a sound feed into the camera via the hotshoe?

A: The difference is the A7RM4 the audio is transmitted digitally vs analog on the A9M2 via the MI shoe.

Q: 8. Compatible with Sony PXW-FS5M2K?

A: No it is not compatible.

Q: 9. What is the height of the adapter from the hotshoe to the top of the top of the unit (not the top of the shotgun mic mount)?

A: While that information is not specified by the manufacturer, we would estimate about 3'' tall.

Q: 10. does this product act as a mixer that can increase the signal to noise ratio, too?

A: As a passive mixer, the Movo Photo AM100 2-Channel TRS 3.5mm Microphone Audio Mixer would only act to combine two battery-powered microphones—one to the left channel and the other to the right channel—to adjust the level between them. It would not act to increase the signal-to-noise ratio the way an active mixer would.