Overview
Authentic Transparency for Unrestricted Creativity
- Unsurpassed ambience retrieval
- Transformerless design with matched hi-speed discrete transistor octet has +23 dBu input headroom: no attenuator “pads” needed
- Uncolored timbral accuracy at all dynamic levels
- Entirely balanced audio path with precision components maintains signal integrity: THD under 5 ppm (.0005%)
- Effortless, vividly realistic musical performance
- Laser-trimmed FET-based output stage has 32 dB headroom: drives 1000 foot (300 m) cable runs with ease
- Standard 36-step gain controls (1.5 dB per step) are stereo matched to .08 dB
- Ultra-clean universal power supply
- Grayhill mil-spec gold switching
- Welded 16 gauge steel rack chassis
- Lovingly hand-crafted in Northern California
$4,380 US Street Price
Options:
- Ribbon optimized DC coupled input - $100/channel
- Extra 10dB gain - no charge
- DPA 130V input - $300/channel
- Dante or MADI digital output expander PCB
- Analog output expander PCB (3x outputs per channel)
Specifications
Minimum Gain | 1 dB |
Maximum Gain (1 dB per step) | 64 dB |
Attenuator Pad | -20 dB |
Frequency Response (analog output option) (+0 / -3 dB) | sub 8 Hz to beyond 200 kHz (analog) |
Noise (60 dBu Gain, 10 Hz - 30 kHz, Inputs common) | -130 dB EIN |
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (35 dB Gain) | < .005%, (<.001% Typ.) |
Intermodulation Distortion (50 Hz & 7 kHz), 35 dB Gain, 0 dBFS | < .0009% |
Phase Response (35 dB Gain, 50 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth, 0 dBFS | < 2 degrees deviation |
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (35 dB Gain, 10 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth, 100 mV C.M.) | > 65 dB, Typ > 85 dB |
Slew Rate (35 dB Gain) | > 25 Volts per microsecond |
Maximum Input Level (20 Hz - 40 kHz) | +34 dBu (pad in) |
Maximum Output Level (20 Hz - 40 kHz) | +22 dBu (analog output option) |
Phantom Input Impedance (1 kHz) | 6,750 ohms |
Output Impedance | 24.3 Ohms (analog output option) |
Phantom Powering | +48 V dc, +/- 2 V dc, 15 ma per channel in reserve |
Power Consumption | 100 watts maximum AC: Universal 80-264V, 47-63 Hz DC: 12V |
Dimensions/Shipping Weight | 19" W x 1.75" H x 16" D, 10 lbs. (16ch), 9 lbs (8ch) |
DANTE | |
Physical Layer | Ethernet |
Connectors | Dual RJ-45 (Primary / Secondary) |
Cable Quality | CAT-5e or better |
Transmission Speed | 1Gbps |
Supported Sample Rates | 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz |
Minimum Dante Latency | 250 µS |
Supported Modes | Redundant / Switched |
AES67 Support | Planned (Dante embedded) |
Certifications | FCC CFR 47 Part 15 Subpart B, Class A ICES-03 Issue 6 (Canada) ANSI C63.4-2014 EN 55032:2015, EN 55035:2017, EN 61000-3-2:2014, EN 61000-3-3:2013 |
Compliance | RoHS 2011/65/EU (and delegated directive (EU) 2015/863) WEEE 2012/19/EU + REACH |
Environmental | -10o to +65oC / +15o to +150oF (fans enabled) -10o to +45oC / +15o to +115oF (fans disabled) 10% to 80% RH Maximum Altitude: 5,000 meters |
Reviews & Awards
Monte Vallier, EQ
The sound is great -- sweet, refined, full of dynamics - fabulous on grand piano.
Tony Faulkner, Greenroom Productions, UK owner of HV-3D and M-2B preamplifiers
The HV-3D is one of the finest pieces of gear with which I have ever had the pleasure to work. I use three of them to record the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy
Center, with spectacular results.
Charles Lawson, Senior Recording/Production
Engineer WETA Radio, Washington, DC
This is an outstanding mic preamp. I’ve never heard our mics sound this clean on piano. We’ve been using our [46 channels of] Millennia preamps on everything...
Jack Renner, President, Telarc Records International
Our HV-3D is primarily dedicated to making a great drum sound instantly available. It’s truly a beautiful thing and it sounds awesome... The HV-3D has added so much more
to the feeling of creativity in our studio and I just want to say thanks for making such a great unit. It’s a solid piece of work, looks great and it sounds amazing - I’m in love!
John Haggins, DigiNote Studio, Miami Beach, FL
“For the HBO Live Broadcast of The Rolling Stones from Madison Square Garden 1/18/03, we used 82 channels of HV-3s on stage to drive about 800 feet of wire five stories down to the Silver Truck. I am absolutely amazed at how good it sounded with that length of cable! Those HV-3s could drive the Atlantic phone cable to London!”
David Hewitt, Chief Engineer, Remote Recording Services
I like to get on tape (or on hard disc) what I hear in the room. When I was looking for a new mic pre, the main concerns were - no colouration, transparency and the lowest
possible noise floor and reliability, because we record 360 days a year. I simply could not find anything better than the HV-3D.
Jörg Mayr, Audio Engineer, Music Producer
Vienna Symphonic Library
"Over a period of months, I used the HV-3 on all types of sessions, ranging from stereo-miked chamber ensembles to multi-track pop sessions. In all cases, the HV-3 provided an absolutely faithful rendition of the microphone's sound, without imparting any coloration of its own... An excellent value offering impeccable audio specs, first-rate construction, and sonic transparency under any conditions. The Millennia Media HV-3 is...for those who seek absolute purity in reproduction."
MIX Magazine, Feature Review By George Petersen, Editor
"Just to let you know, the recording we did of the Penderecki Credo won this year's Grammy for "Best Choral Recording". We used 16 channels of Millennia pre-amps on stage." THANKS FOR THE GREAT SOUND!!
Don Harder, Chief Audio Engineer, Canadian Broadcasting Company (March 2001)

Downloads
- HV-3D Manual
- HV-3D Quick Reference Guide
- HV-3D Reset Template
- HV-3D Data Sheet
- Passive Summing Cable
- HDOE Attenuation Jumper Diagram
- AD-D96 User Guide
- AD-D96 Series 5 User Guide for units sold after 3/1/12
- DB25 Digital Output Pin-outs
- How to Change Voltage Between 120V and 240V
- HV-3 Preamp Comparison
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Mic Preamps
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HV-316
Sixteen Channel Remote
Dante Network Mic Preamp -
HV-3C
Two Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-3D-4
Four Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-3D-8
Eight Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-3D-8 Dante
Eight Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-3D-8-MADI
Eight Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
STT-1 Origin
Twin Topology Channel Strip -
HV-32
Single Channel API 200-Rack
Legacy / Vision Mic Preamp -
HV-32P
Portable Two Channel
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-35P
Portable Microphone Preamp -
HV-35
Single Channel 500-Rack
Microphone Preamplifier -
HV-35 Anniversary Edition
hand-signed by John La Grou
and the Millennia Team