Lightning Boy Audio (LBA) has introduced the Flux Bender, a new handcrafted passive, stereo, vacuum tube powered equalizer.
With an EQ filter similar to the Pultec EQP-1A, the Flux Bender offers the familiar low and high band boost/cut controls with a variable bandwidth control on the high boost. However, the Flux Bender provides independent frequency controls over the boost/cut controls for the lows and highs.
The left and right channels are controlled simultaneously by a single set of controls, with all components matched to a tight tolerance of .01 percent. A pair of output volume controls for Left and Right, are capable of providing up to 8 dB of gain over the input signal.
The Flux Bender provides four banks of six selectable frequencies, one for each of the boost/cut controls. The high frequency section provides control over a wide range of frequencies that extend above the human hearing range. The low frequency section offers control over anything from sub-bass to low-midrange.
The amplifier and power supply section of the Flux Bender are a Lightning Boy original all-tube design. The noise floor is below 90 dB. An external power supply, called the “Juice Box,” is also included, and it houses the power transformer and connects to the Flux Bender with a 3-foot tether. Longer power tethers are available for an additional cost.
At the heart of the Flux Bender are a matched pair of NOS 6X4 rectifier tubes and a matched pair of NOS 12AT7 pre-amp tubes that undergo cryogenic processing to improve their longevity and performance. The orange glow behind the clear jewel lamp on the front panel of the Flux Bender emirates from one of a pair of gas filled voltage regulator tubes.
The expansive stereo image and velvety black tone of the Flux Bender is a product of skillful blending of all of these components. The back panel of the FluxBender sports six metal cans, while pairs of Sowter input transformers, Jensen interstage transformers, and custom made Cinemag inductors give the design a retro look.
The filter network and amplifier electronics consist of a pair of custom made Cinemag output transformers, and an array of over 60 paper-in-oil capacitors. The caps are a combination of new old stock and hand-made LBA paper in oilcaps, a signature feature of the company’s products. Much of the Flux Bender’s tone can be attributed to the transformers and paper-in-oil caps, further enhanced by point-to-point hand wiring.
The Flux Bender is available direct online from LBA (here) for $5,000 USD, with free shipping in the USA.
