Grace Design m101 (2008)

A single-channel microphone preamplifier released in 2008, designed and built in Colorado.

Overview

The Grace Design m101 is a single-channel microphone preamp released in 2008. It is a retooling of the company's successful Model 101, built in Colorado. The design is balanced and transformerless, with a transimpedance amplifier architecture meant to deliver musical quality without integrated circuits. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Repairs and upgrades go back to Grace Design.

Specifications

Product type	Single Channel Microphone Preamplifier
Production year	2008
Weight	2.4 lbs / 1.09 kg
Dimensions	H: 1.7” (4.3 cm), W: 8.5” (21.6 cm), D: 9.0” (22.8 cm)
Power Consumption	100-240VAC, 5 Watts Max
Input type	Hi-Z
Gain Range	5dB Steps
Circuit topology	balanced, transformerless, transimpedance circuit topology
Signal path components	0.5% precision metal

Design

The signal path is balanced and transformerless, built around a transimpedance amplifier and 0.5% precision metal components. The goal was musical quality without integrated circuits. Nothing inside is user-serviceable, so any repair or modification needs factory service.

Context

The m101 is a retooling of the original Model 101 microphone preamp. It belongs to a product family that includes the m102 Compressor and the m103, referred to as its "cousin." At release it was positioned as a high-end single-channel preamp for under $1000.

Market

Used units have been listed from around $497 to $874, and some stereo pairs sold for $1,885. One listing called both the m101 and m103 priced "well under market," which suggests higher typical resale values.