Mercury Recording Equipment M76m Mk. IV

The new Mercury M76m [Mk. IV] is the latest version of our benchmark Studio Microphone Amplifier. The M76m is based on one of the most sought after vintage amplifier modules, the Telefunken/Siemens V76m. These modules were used in European broadcast and recording studios in the late 1950s and 60s. Later, after tube consoles were out of favor and replaced by discrete, transistor consoles, the V76 modules still lived on and were racked as outboard mic amps and used in studios around the world.

Inspired by the vintage tone and craftsmanship, the M76m focuses on bringing back the sound, look, and feel that inspired not only this product but this company to manufacture recording equipment and keep this and other beloved circuits alive to make more music for another generation. The new M76m [Mk. IV] was stripped of a few vintage-inspired, aesthetic extras of previous versions but is still loaded with the same exact tone and warmth utilizing the same exact circuit, same quality parts, and same transformers we have used since we started building the first M76m at Mercury Recording Equipment.

The Mercury M76m is based on the module used in consoles which are very rare due to a minimal amount made. These amplifier modules have not been available new for more than 50 years. So, working units have become extremely rare, very expensive and in some cases are now in need of much repair.

Drawing on 20+ years of experience repairing, rebuilding, and most importantly listening to the Telefunken/Siemens V76 modules, it was our first priority to build a modern Studio Microphone Amplifier that sounds identical to the original. Mercury Recording Equipment Co. kept the integrity of the original circuit, the M76m has the same open, warm tonality created with the transformer balanced, dual-stage, high gain amplifier, and uses four transformers and four tubes per channel.

We are confident we have built what is quite possibly the ultimate combination of vintage sound and modern features in a modern tube microphone amplifier. We feel we have captured not only how the units behave, but how they sound overall. With the addition of normal modern features, such as: Phantom, Phase, as well as many new features such as: Level Control and a High/Low Impedance switch never available on any module, or even custom racked units, the Mercury M76m is the benchmark of modern tube microphone amplifiers.

We build these like the original master craftsman did and would if building them today. There is no compromise or corners cut. With four (4) Transformers & four (4) Tubes PER CHANNEL. There are enough parts to build 4 Channels of high-quality Microphone Amplifiers inside this unit. Mercury FDI Circuit, Custom USA Made Transformers, WIMA Caps, DALE military grade 1% resistors. Custom made Audio Foil cap. New, Toroidal PSU Transformer and updated PSU circuit. The Mercury M76m is not a clone, it’s an updated & improved version of the V76m and a benchmark in modern tube microphone amplifiers. 3U. 24lbs.

Features & Controls:

• Gain Control of 0 to +60dB in 6dB increments, works in conjunction with the Level Control and Output Attenuation
• Level Control, which works as a fader, increasing (clockwise) and decreasing (counter-clockwise) the amount of gain from the first stage to the second stage of the amplifier
• Output Attenuation Control (-0 to -10dB) for more control
• Impedance Select Switch for both high and low impedance devices
• Phantom Power (on/off)
• Phase (Polarity) Reversal
• FDI (FET Direct Input) Circuit

The Mercury FDI (FET Direct Input), a proprietary J-Fet circuit, is based on a class-A tube topology. The Mercury FDI is designed to reproduce every nuance of a direct recording, while the circuit lets the tube or solid-state character of the amplifier determine the overall tone. The instrument DI signal is sent through the entire microphone preamp circuitry, including Mercury’s custom, massive input transformers, so that the individual character of each preamp comes through.

• Mic Input Impedance: Approx. 2k
• Suggested Source Impedance: Approx. 200 ohms
• Input Impedance with -28dB Pad: Approx. 4k
• DI Input Impedance: 2M ohms
• Internal Output Impedance: 30-50 ohms (depends on gain setting)
• Suggested Minimum Load: 500 ohms
• Max. Mic Signal Input Level (@ 20 Hz): +34dBu with -28dB Pad engaged / +6dBu with Pad not engaged
• Max. Output Level: +22dBu
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5dB
• Harmonic Distortion: All musically related low orders of harmonics, with no significant order above 5th.