Strymon Fairfax Preamp: 100% Analog Drive Tones
Real tube amp tones at your feet!
The Strymon Fairfax is a preamp/distortion, essentially a miniature analog amplifier. A little-known device from the 1960s inspired it.
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Strymon Fairfax
The Strymon Fairfax offers an extremely tube-like sound and playing experience. This time, however, it’s achieved through a clever, 100% analog circuit, rather than Styrmon’s usual use of DSP. This circuit emulates the critical behavior of a tube amplifier’s output transformer. Therefore, this isn’t your typical drive pedal.
Analog Drive Tones
The analog specialists at Strymon set out to fully recreate all the critical elements of a custom-designed
Champ-style tube amplifier circuit in the analog domain. This design is so compact that it fits inside a pedal enclosure, which is why real tubes or a traditional output transformer had to be omitted.
The result is a cleverly miniaturized tube preamp combined with a Class A power amp.
This is complemented by a sophisticated special circuit that emulates the saturation characteristics of the output transformer. A remarkable variable sag circuit simulates the behavior of a real tube amplifier, even at higher speeds. At low sag values, the sound remains mild and slightly compressed, while at higher values, the JFETs are driven into a wild, fuzz-like state. Listen to the audio examples in the video.
High Voltage
To achieve the sonic characteristics of a real amplifier, the Fairfax requires a high operating voltage. A transformer-based power supply internally converts the standard 9 VDC input voltage to a substantial 40 V, providing ample headroom and enhancing the feel of playing through an amp.
The controls are simple and clearly laid out. With three large knobs (Level, SAG, and Drive) and a Bright switch, the Fairfax is easy and quick to use.
Price & Availability
The Strymon Fairfax will soon be available here at Thomann for $222 / £199 / €229.
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