Filter

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_1

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_2

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_3

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_4

Audio MODEL 86B-2 – 2-Channel Stereo Tube Preamp

Name: Audio MODEL 86B-2 - 2-Channel Stereo Tube Preamp
Brand: Locomotive Audio
SKU: LOC-86B-2

$3,898.00

Two-channel stereo tube preamp that delivers everything from smooth, clean warmth to bold, saturated grit. Rooted in 1950s American-style tube circuitry, the Locomotive Audio MODEL 86B-2 features EF86 and 12AY7 tubes, premium transformers, and a versatile design that excels on vocals, instruments, or even re-amping mixes through its dedicated Line mode. With its wide sonic palette and robust build, the 86B-2 is a powerful centerpiece for any studio.

SKU: LOC-86B-2 Categories: OUTBOARD, Preamps

Brands: Locomotive Audio

Brand: Locomotive Audio

Description

Audio MODEL 86B-2 – 2-Channel Stereo Tube Preamp

OVERVIEW

An American-Style Stereo Tube Preamp Designed for Versatility

The Locomotive Audio MODEL 86B-2 brings two channels of lush tube gain to your rack, offering a wide range of tones from warm and transparent to overdriven and harmonically rich. Inspired by classic 1950s American preamp circuits, the 86B-2 provides a massive harmonic footprint that can breathe life into sterile digital tracks or add vintage character to any recording chain. Whether you need glowing vocals, natural acoustic depth, punchy drums, or gritty saturation, this preamp delivers with style and versatility.

With EF86 and 12AY7 tubes per channel, premium MuMetal shielded input transformers, and a nickel/steel output stage, the 86B-2 ensures superior fidelity with classic coloration. Features like a 20 dB pad, 100 Hz low-cut filter, selectable input impedances, and a dedicated Line mode make it a flexible tool for tracking or re-amping mixes through tubes and transformers. Built in the USA with rugged construction and backed by a lifetime warranty (excluding tubes), the 86B-2 is a must-have for engineers and producers looking for true American tube character in a modern format.

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_5

Locomotive_Audio_MODEL_86B-2_-_2-Channel_Stereo_Tube_Preamp_6

Missing Some Flavour?

Want more colour options from one box? Tired of switching between preamps? Maybe you’re low on rack space or just starting your first collection of outboard gear and need some versatility. You might just need the kind of versatility that offers recording with mics, then sending recorded audio back through tubes and transformers in ‘Line’ mode for more coloration.

Tubes, Transformers, and an Amplifier Design You Will Love

The 86B-2 is designed to get any amount of tube coloration into your audio easily. Its two-knob system allows the engineer to fine-tune the type of character needed. You can drive the 86B-2 and control the amount of tonal coloration in your audio. Save time with one preamp that can achieve a variety of sounds.

Rounded out with features like a 20dB pad, 100Hz high pass, two mic input impedances, line level mode and high impedance front panel DI on each channel, the 86B-2 won’t sit idle in your valuable rack space!

86B-2 Lineage

Introduced in 2014 as a modernized version of the Ampex 601 “suitcase tape recorder,” the Locomotive 286A (86B-2 predecessor) showcased several of the best attributes from the 601. A pentode EF86 and a dual triode 12AY7 were a crucial part of the sound worth keeping. The 601 could sound so smooth, but also be pushed into full distortion due to its wild amount of gain. This was a great way to get a large amount of use out of one piece of gear. On the contrary, the 601 was never designed to be used with high-output mics, so it lacked input headroom and needed input padding much of the time.

Taking this into account, we designed the Locomotive 286A by using the Ampex 601 circuit and modified it for modern use. We also added all the important mic preamp features like phantom power, pad, polarity, low cut, and DI.

Now, the all-new 86B-2 updates the 286A with a new front panel, new circuit layout, separate mic and line XLR inputs, as well as a much higher DI input impedance. And best yet, a much lower pricetag!

Unlock Your Creativity

Finding the right piece of gear to give your sound that “special something” might be one of the hardest parts of engineering. In our opinion, having an exciting combination of tools at your fingertips is the best way to get your creative juices flowing. The 86B-2 will help to unlock your audio engineering mind and allow you to focus on creating truly impressive audio.