French maker HLabs, based in Saint-Vérand, built its name by reviving the electronics of the Studer 169 console. Its range, until now designed for the 500 format, is moving to rack: the PRE169S packs two PRE169 preamps into a 1U box, while the EQ169 also gains a rack version. A welcome shift for anyone without a 500-series chassis to hand.
The Studer 169 console, in a rack
The PRE169S is a two-channel mic preamp in a 1U format. Each channel uses the PRE169 input stage, a near-perfect replica of the Studer 169’s input section, with up to 67 dB of gain and a tunable high-pass filter at 12 dB per octave. The grain comes from the transformer choice: Neutrik NTM-4 at the input, Carnhill VT24499 at the output — two names that count heavily in a preamp’s character.
A coherent range around one console
The PRE169S does not arrive alone. It sits in a family that reworks the same vintage console: the PRE169 preamp, the three-band EQ169 with a semi-parametric mid, and the full CS169 channel strip that combines preamp, high-pass filter and EQ on a single channel. Bringing these blocks to rack, with a universal power supply and a steel casing, makes them accessible to a studio that works without a 500-series chassis.
The 169 range at a glance
| Model | Function |
|---|---|
| PRE169S | Two PRE169 preamps in a 1U rack |
| PRE169 | Mic preamp after the Studer 169 |
| EQ169 | 3-band EQ, semi-parametric mid |
| CS169 | Full channel strip: preamp + filter + EQ |
Why it matters
Reviving a legendary console preamp is no small thing: the sound of 1970s Studers remains a reference for colour and headroom, and few makers take that electronics head-on. That this work comes from a French workshop, with components made in France and Europe, adds interest beyond the spec sheet. The rack format simply widens the target: you no longer need to invest in a 500-series chassis to taste the grain.
My take
There is something refreshing about a small workshop tackling a Studer input stage rather than the umpteenth 1073 clone. The Carnhill and Neutrik transformer choice is not cosmetic: much of the character lives there, and HLabs does not cut corners on it. Going to rack is the smart move, the one that lifts these modules out of the 500-chassis club. The rest is down to listening — a preamp is judged at the take, not on the datasheet. But the intent is right, and the French pedigree earns an ear.
Related reading: the first Rupert Neve Designs plugins and our guide to mastering chain order. Product page: HLabs PRE169S.
Frequently asked questions
What sets the PRE169S apart from the PRE169 module?
The PRE169S packs two PRE169 preamps into a self-contained 1U rack box with a built-in power supply. The PRE169 on its own is a 500-format module that needs a compatible chassis to run.
Which transformers does the PRE169 use?
The input stage relies on Neutrik NTM-4 transformers at the input and Carnhill VT24499 at the output. These components contribute directly to the preamp’s sonic character.
Which console does the 169 range draw on?
The whole range reworks the electronics of the Studer 169 console. The PRE169 replicates the input stage, the EQ169 the three-band equaliser, and the CS169 combines both on a full channel strip.
Where are these products made?
HLabs designs and assembles its units in its workshop in Saint-Vérand, France, with components manufactured in France and Europe.
