Introduced by Drawmer, the new HQ monitor preamp is said to set a new standard in monitor preamps with its digital-to-analog converter (DAC), analog design, and innovative control system.

According to the manufacturer, the HQ monitor preamp delivers zero coloration, precise balance, low noise, wide bandwidth, and a variety of input sources. Use the HQ to critically evaluate audio signals and get an overall better sound from your monitoring system.

Top of the range designs use relay attenuators with high-accuracy resistors to achieve the best balance between channels. The downside of this approach, notes Drawmer, is the distraction of noisy chattering relays that in addition to being irritating, also reduce relay life. The HQ's design is supposed to solve that problem and provide the feel and smoothness of a potentiometer with the accuracy of relay attenuation.

Main features include the precision relay volume control, the DAC, low crosstalk, analog and digital sources with individual gain setting, digital inputs to 24-bit, 192 kHz with jitter reduction, an RIAA input, remote operation and linking for multichannel systems, switching for three different speaker configurations, and dual headphone outputs. Take a look at the full list of features below.

Drawmer HQ Features:

• Precision relay volume control with accurate channel balance to 0.05 dB
• SilentRelay volume management (>100 dB attenuation)
• DAC (-100 dB THD and Noise and -114 dB DnR)
• Low crosstalk (>100 dB @ 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
• 4 analog and 5 digital sources, with individual gain setting
• Intelligent source select allows A-B comparisons
• Digital inputs to 24-bit, 192 kHz with jitter reduction
• RIAA input for accurate replay of vinyl
• Switching for three different speaker configurations: Speakers A, Speakers B, or Speakers A+B
• Remote operation and linking for multichannel systems
• Dual Headphone outputs
• Normal output levels up to +18 dBu balanced
• Hot output levels up to +28 dBu balanced
• Internal Linear power supply with multistage regulation

Pricing and availability will be announced at a later time. For more information about the Drawmer HQ, please visit drawmer.com.