DIYRE

CP5 Colour Mic Preamp

$150.00

The CP5 is the first microphone preamp to feature Colour. On its own, the CP5 is a reference-quality, 500-series mic preamp with copious amounts of clean gain. With Colour, the CP5 is the most tonally versatile preamp in the world.

World Class Preamp. The CP5 is a transparent, low-noise preamp that performs as good or better than preamps 5x the price (seriously, check out the SPECS tab above). The preamp's signal path features only best-in-class components, including WIMA capacitors and THAT Corp. ICs. Preamp gain and Colour are adjustable via stepped controls for easy recall and stereo operation.

Add Some Colour. Plug any Colour module into the CP5 to add some character to your preamp. Dial in the exact amount of Colour you want with the stepped Colour control. Switch between tone and transparency with the Colour bypass switch. The CP5's preamp works with or without a Colour installed.

Beginner Friendly. Like all our kits, the CP5 comes with every part required and step-by-step picture instructions.

Full Features List

  • Fully compatible with the 500-series format
  • Stepped controls (21 positions) for easy recall and stereo operation
  • Anodized black aluminum knobs and front panel
  • Phantom power, polarity, -20dB pad, and Colour switches
  • Mic preamp gain adjustable from +20-66dB
  • Ultra-transparent, low-noise preamp
    • No electrolytic capacitors or transformers in the signal path
    • WIMA film coupling capacitors
    • Based on the best-in-class THAT Corp. 1512 preamplifier IC
    • Electronically balanced inputs and outputs
  • Single Colour socket
  • Colour control adjusts amount of Colour without changing overall gain
  • Kit includes every component required to build the CP5
  • Step-by-step manual and guaranteed support 

The CP5 circuit and PCB layout were designed by Peter and Robert-Eric Gaskell of GKL Audio.

What the Pros are Saying

"Undoubtedly the most flexible and variable mic pre out there. And if you know how to solder it’s at an unparalleled price point for its quality. Pro tip... it pairs extraordinarily well with DIYRE passive summing mixers for even more tonal flexibility on your mix bus or group buses."

-Jack Mason
J.Cole, Joe P, Spotify Singles

"This really is one of the most versatile and useful preamps on the market. If you like getting your hands on a soldering iron, it can be one of the most satisfying to own as well."

-Sonic Scoop

Dialing in drum sounds with the CP5 and Colours:


CP5 ($150) ($745)
Input Impedance 3.6k/7.2k (pad out / pad in)
Gain 20-66dB, unity gain with pad engaged
Pad Attenuation 20dB
THD+N @ 20dB gain* 0.00040% <0.00085%
THD+N @ 40dB gain* 0.0007% <0.0010%
THD+N @ 60dB gain* 0.005% <0.005%
Noise (EIN), 66dB gain, 150Ω source -128dB -128dB
CMRR @ 10kHz, 60dB gain 80dB 65dB

*+20dBu output, 1kHz, 20-20kHz bandwidth

Customer Reviews

Based on 41 reviews
95%
(39)
5%
(2)
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M
Mike Nolan
Exciting Possibilities!

I’ve built quite a few different kits over the years and this one was really easy and fun. I can knock one out in about half an hour. I’m really looking forward to getting different colour modules and seeing what I like. This round I put 8 together and will do a second round of 8 in the next month.

B
Benjamin Marx

CP5 Colour Mic Preamp

C
Chris Doolittle

CP5 Colour Mic Preamp

S
Samithy
Best Preamp Value Out There

This is hands down the best preamp for the price on the market. Great sound, not quite transparent but not in a bad way. Plenty on gain on tap, the extra colour slot is a huge bonus - the Soviet Pentode saturation is fantastic. If you haven't ever soldered something like this and you've been thinking about trying, start with this build - its very easy, the step by step guide is fantastic, their customer support is great, and you get an awesome preamp at the end of it!

M
Matt Sturgis
Couldn't be happier!

This preamp is the real deal! As a novice builder, I really appreciated how the instructions walk you through the build with such thorough detail - DIYRE is also incredibly helpful and responsive if you have any questions in the process. A fun build, an incredibly sounding preamp that punches right up there with my vp312s, and the flexibility of a colour module with variable blend. Definitely will be getting a few more of these in the near future!

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