DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor

The DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor utilizes all of Doug Fearn's no-compromise design philosophy to bring you one of the finest stereo vacuum tube compressors available at any price. The VT-7 marries both old and new technologies together to deliver a timeless work of audio art.

DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor uses an all Class-A triode vacuum tube path, like all DW Fearn's products. The gain reduction elements utilize circuitry that duplicates many of the desirable characteristics of the finest vintage vacuum tube compressors, without depending on obsolete tubes that are increasingly difficult to find. The control circuitry is modern solid-state analog. Look inside DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor and you will find eight vaccum tubes alongside printed circuit boards with surface-mount technology parts. DW Fearn used the best of the old and new to achieve the sound and performance required.

As of Septemeber 2020, the VT-7 was optimized to reduce internal heat and the fan and removed.

Pulse-Width Modulation
DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor uses a high-speed (over 1mHz) analog switch controlled by a pulse-width modulator (PWM) to control the gain. This technique provides wide-range level control (in excess of 30dB) with virtually no harmonic distortion or other artifacts. It's almost like having the world's most tasteful engineer with a infinitely fast hands on the faders.

Controls
DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor is easy to adjust. A THRESHOLD control sets the amount of gain reduction, from none to over 30dB. (The amount of available gain reduction depends somewhat on the settings of other controls.) The GAIN control provides the make-up gain to compensate for the gain reduction. The ATTACK and RELEASE controls provide a wide range of time constants, suitable for any type of sound. A knob labeled HARDER at one extreme and SOFTER at the other allows you to set the compression characteristics to match the material being recorded. More than just a ratio control, this adjustment affects many parameters of the compression. It is easier to hear than explain. True analog VU METERS can be switched to monitor either gain reduction or output level. A LINK switch couples the two channels together for perfect stereo tracking of both channels. When DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor is in the linked configuration, all settings for both channels are controlled with the A channel knobs (except for GAIN, which can be trimmed for each channel independently).

Design Philosophy
Like all D.W. Fearn products, DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor is a no-compromise design. From the quarter-inch thick front panel painted with the finest polyurethane finishes to the choice of all components and controls, DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor is built to look as great as it sounds. DW Fearn does not expect their products to become obsolete in a few years, so they use parts with superior durability and longevity. Their products are hand-built by craftsman, one at a time, in the U.S.A. Unfortunately construction of this quality is not inexpensive. DW Fearn never design to a price goal. They design products with the best possible performance, and then determine what the price has to be. Their products are not for everyone. They are for the discerning ear that will immediately hear the difference and for the user who does not compromise in his goal of making the world's finest recordings. If that approach describes your recording philosophy, you will find DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor will make your job easier and more rewarding.

Circuitry and Construction
Only single-ended Class-A triodes are used in the audio path (8 dual triodes in all). A combination of 6072A and 6N1P tubes are employed. These tubes were chosen for their sonic superiority and availability. These tubes have proven themselves in the VT-1/VT-2 microphone preamps and the VT-4 LC Equalizer. All power supply voltages are regulated, which not only assures consistent, stable performance, but also helps to extend the life of the tubes. The input and output transformers are made by Jensen. These world-class transformers provide superior interfacing with all types of professional and semi-pro audio gear.

Use for tracking
The channels of DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor can be used entirely independently, on two different sound sources if desired. Vocals, bass guitar, drums -- anything that would benefit from dynamic control is a great candidate for VT-7 processing.

Use for mastering
On the stereo mix bus or in mastering, DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor can add that final touch of dynamics control and sonic improvement that will benefit any recording, even with minimal compression.

DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor Features

• Has an all Class-A vacuum tube audio path
• The control circuitry is modern solid-state analog
• The two channels may be used independently or linked together for stereo
• A built in sidechain high-pass filter may be selected to reduce the compression on bass-heavy material
• Provides a highly-transparent sound, although it can be used more aggressively when needed
• Equally adept in tracking as well as as a bus compressor
• 5-Year Warranty (tubes are warranted for 1 year)

DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor Specifications

• Manufacturer: DW Fearn
• Product: VT-7 Stereo Compressor
• Input: 43k ohms, balanced bridging
• Input Level: +4dBm nominal
• Gain: 0 to +15dB
• Frequency Response: +0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB @ 70kHz
• THD+Noise: < 0.08%
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 78 dB
• Output: low-Z, transformer-balanced
• Maximum Output Level: +22dBm into bridging load
• Power Requirements: 100, 120, 220-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 55W
• Dimensions: 19" (48.3cm) W, 5.25" (13.34cm) H, 14" (35.6cm) D
• Weight: 22lbs (9.55kg), shipping 28lbs (12.7kg)

DW Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor Includes

• VT-7 Stereo Compressor
• Manual & Literature
• IEC Power Cable