Chandler Limited LTD-1 (2001–?)
Little is formally documented about the Chandler Limited LTD-1 beyond the period reviews that caught it shortly after launch. It was a deliberate, high-fidelity take on the classic Neve 1073 microphone preamp and equalizer. It was close enough that Mix-Magazine, August 2003, p.112 called it "almost scary" in its similarity, yet it was expanded in useful ways.
The LTD-1 kept the original Class-A circuit topology and the same low-frequency EQ and highpass filter section (220, 110, and 60 Hz choices, per the 1073 layout). The midrange EQ was widened to ten selectable frequencies instead of four: 270, 390, 560, 820 Hz, 1.2k, 1.8k, 2.7k, 3.9k, 5.6k, and 8.2 kHz. Chandler added a front-panel DI jack, 48V phantom power, phase reverse, and an output fader. The mic input offered 20-80 dB of gain. The line input ran from - 20 to +10 dB. The review noted that with both units set to equal gain, there was no difference in level, sound quality, or noise between the LTD-1 and an original 1073.
In a follow-up, Mix-Magazine, October 2003, p.135 revisited the unit. Pro Audio Review (January 2004, p.59) reported strong results on kick drum (AKG D112), snare (Shure SM57), hi-hat (Neumann KM 86i), and tambourine/shaker (Royer R-122), as well as on vocals with a Sony C-800G, BLUE Cactus, AKG 414, and Neumann KSM 105. The same review noted a minor physical quirk. When rackmounted with nothing below, the bottom of the chassis sagged about 1/4 inch below the front panel.
Chandler Limited, based in Waverly, Iowa, also produced an LTD-2 "2254 type" compressor alongside the LTD-1. The company's own early advertising (seen in Mix, December 2001, p.225) billed the unit as an "Expanded 1073" preamp and EQ.
- Type: Microphone preamplifier with equalizer, rackmount
- Circuit: Class-A, based on Neve 1073 topology
- Mic gain: 20–80 dB
- Line gain: –20 to +10 dB EQ — LF: 220, 110, 60 Hz
- EQ — Mid: 10 selectable frequencies (270 Hz – 8.2 kHz)
- Highpass filter: Included (per 1073 original)
- Front panel: DI jack, phase reverse, 48V phantom, output fader
- Period reviews: Mix (Aug 2003, p.112; Oct 2003, p.135); Pro Audio Review (Jan 2004, p.58–59)
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