Universal Audio 1176LN 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Universal Audio 1176LN 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Since 1967, the release year of the 1176 Limiting Amplifier, it already became an instant classic because of its wide range of sounds, musical Class A output stage, and its unique lightning-fast attack and release times, near-transparent compression, ranging from subtle, distortion and to all-out drive.

The Universal Audio’s 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier is a faithful, handbuilt reproduction of Bill Putnam Sr.’s original visionary design. It is an iconic piece of audio history that comes with a hand behind classic recordings from Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and more.

The Universal Audio 1176LN is giving the users the capability to:

• Track and mix with the legendary FET-Style Compressor with custom-made class A output transformers
• Harness ultra-fast attack time on bass, guitars, vocals and more
• Record your tracks through vintage UA, "handmade in the USA," circuits
• Add color, character, and vibe to signals without using compression

A Toneful, Colorful Compressor

The 1176 is named as a "true peak limiter with all transistor circuitry and superior performance on all types of program material", its major selling point was its ultra-fast attack time - is a simple 20 µS (.00002 seconds) at its fastest setting. As time passed, the engineers soon found that the 1176 also injected vibe, attitude, and character to anything run through its circuitry. The other users even used this 1176 with the compression turned off, just for the distinctive tone it imparts.  The unit's transformers and amplifiers all by themselves is capable of giving a desirable "hot" quality to anything passing through them.

Rebirth of a Legend

In 1999, when Bill Putnam, Jr. relaunched Universal Audio, a reproduction of the Blackface 1176LN was the company’s first product. Reissued in 2000, it was based on the circuit designs of the C, D, and E revs of the classic 1176. One of the most critical aspects of recreating the sound of the original hardware, was faithfully reproducing the original output transformer, complete with the additional windings that provided the feedback signal to the final line output amplifier circuit. Bill Putnam Jr. found extensive design notes that enabled him to recreate and improve his father’s original design.

Accept No Substitutes

Carefully trained Universal Audio staff hand build and test each unit at the UA Custom Shop in Santa Cruz, California until it meets our uncompromising standards. This Universal Audio Classic version of the 1176LN captures all the nuance of the original through obsessive attention to detail and delivers that trademark sound. Demand the original.

Key Features

• True to the original in design, manufacturing and performance
• Modeled after 1176LN, blackface, D and E revisions
• Ultra fast attack time -20 microseconds to 800 microseconds
• Class A line level output amplifier
• Custom built Putnam-designed output transformer
• Stereo interconnect operation
• Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-year limited warranty

• Input Impedance 600 ohms, bridges-T control (floating)
• Output Load Impedance 600 ohms, floating, damping factor 20
• External Connections Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors
• Frequency Response ± 1 dB 20 Hz to 20kHz
• Gain 50 dB
• Distortion Less than 0.5% total harmonic distortion from 50 Hz to 15 kHz with limiting
• Signal to Noise Ratio Greater than 70 dB at +10 dBm
• Attack Time 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds
• Release Time 50 milliseconds to 1.1 seconds
• Stereo Interconnection via 1176 SA Network accessory
• Meter dB gain reduction and dB output
• Power Requirements 120/240 V
• Environmental Maximum operating temperature 160°F
• Dimensions 19" Rackmount chassis, 2U
• Weight (unboxed) 11 lbs.