Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Super 15 Valve Harmonic Distortion Unit

The Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture Super 15 is the most comprehensive version of the Culture Vulture to date, incorporating all features found in the 11th Anniversary edition plus several significant additions, including a 2-position Presence switch and expanded Drive and Function switch options. The Drive switch gains a +10dB position between Normal and Overdrive—a useful middle ground for adding brightness and crunch without committing to full overdrive. The Function switch adds dynamic tunable mid-lift in the P positions and an additional set of drastically-processed harmonics via the SQ positions, broadening the palette far beyond the original three distortion modes. Input valves are M8100/5654 types of Mullard origin, selected for low noise, increased gain, and extended service life. Balanced outputs are available to special order.

Key Features

• Expanded distortion modes — includes T, P1, P2 modes from the original Culture Vulture plus 7 additional distortion functions from the 11th Anniversary edition; Function switch also provides dynamic tunable mid-lift in the P positions and drastically-processed harmonics in the SQ positions
• Three-position Drive switch — Normal; +10dB (adds brightness and crunch without full overdrive); Overdrive; combined with the -10dB Output Level attenuator for comparison purposes or level management
• Presence switch — 2 positions; broad high-frequency lift adds presence and airiness to the distorted signal
• Output Level with -10dB attenuator — attenuator can be used in conjunction with Drive +10dB for A/B comparison, or simply to manage high output levels
• M8100/5654 input valves (Mullard origin) — selected for low noise, increased gain, and long service life
• Balanced line inputs — line plus low-level outputs are unbalanced; balanced outputs available to special order
• Bias control with milliameter — inherited from the original Culture Vulture; varies current through the distortion valve for wide tonal control

Specifications

• Distortion Modes: T (triode); P1 (pentode); P2; 7 additional functions from 11th Anniversary edition; SQ (extra-processed harmonics); P positions (dynamic tunable mid-lift)
• Input Valves: M8100/5654 (Mullard origin)
• Drive Switch: Normal; +10dB; Overdrive
• Presence Switch: 2 positions
• Output Level: Continuous; -10dB attenuator
• Inputs: Balanced (line); Unbalanced (line + low level out)
• Balanced Outputs: Available to special order
• Construction: Handcrafted in England