AudioChainsDB
Rupert Neve Designs

511

intermediate

$895

Used market: $735*

Manufacturer datasheet

Specifications

3 of 7 values have a recorded source
Type
outboard_preamp·
Added Gain dB
66
Input Connector
3-Pin XLR Mic (500-series rack)·
Output Connector
500 Series Edge Connector, transformer balanced·
Expert Description
En: 500-series mic preamp with the Shelford-family transformer input, +66 dB of gain, a sweepable high-pass filter and the Silk / Texture control that adds harmonic content by re-biasing the output transformer. Phantom power comes from the rack and is switched on the faceplate. · Uk: Мікрофонний преамп формату 500 із трансформаторним входом сімейства Shelford, підсиленням +66 дБ, перебудовуваним фільтром низьких частот і регулятором Silk / Texture, що додає гармонік, змінюючи підмагнічування вихідного трансформатора. Фантомне живлення надходить із рами й вмикається на лицьовій панелі.·
Provides Phantom Power
yes
Requires Phantom Power
no

Expert Audio Engineering Commentary

Gain Staging Advice

Silk is not a level control but it is not free either: turning up Texture increases harmonic distortion in the output transformer, so the amount you can use depends on how hard the module is already being driven.

Production Warning

Rupert Neve Designs state plainly in their own FAQ that the 511 is not usable as a DI: "the impedance is not high enough to properly interact with a high-Z source". For an instrument you want the 517, which has a real 1.6 MΩ DI stage.

* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~82% retained value). · checked on 8/5/2026