Digital Delivery Demands
Total Clarity
Microphone preampliers mag-
nify the input as much as 1000:1.
There’s no “Undo” after this point.
Coloration or distortion become
part of the signal. Lost information
can never be recovered. Data com-
pression algorithms (MPG, AC3,
DTS etc.) are unable to distinguish
signal from noise, so preserving the
clarity and integrity of the signal
through the recording and produc-
tion process is critical to commu-
nicating the artist’s intention and
individuality.
Sound So Open You Can
Drive A Truck With It
Location recording is a high-wire
act, with only one chance to capture
the living moment of performance
in its original ambience. Digital
plug-ins can’t “uncolor” sound or
restore lost upper harmonic partials.
The HV-3D is designed to transmit
microphone signals to recording
devices unaltered and has proven its
ability to drive extremely long cable
runs. No matter how subtle or at-
tractive, a colored “signature” sound
destroys options at every link in the
chain. The HV-3D’s open, transpar-
ent signal path has dened “high
denition” since its introduction.
Experiment, Experience,
Excellence
The HV-3 Series was developed to
be accurate enough for the world’s
nest acoustic recordings. Text-
book theory is an incomplete guide,
and test instrument readings don’t
reliably measure the quality of
the listening experience. We took
a rigorously empirical approach,
exploring many design approaches
by attempting to perfect each one.
Experimental designs were evalu-
ated on the lab bench and in our
own production facility, where we
could compare recordings directly
to live performances. We proved to
ourselves that there’s no such thing
as a straight wire with gain. But
the HV-3 Series’ transformerless
input, balanced audio path, minimal
amplier design has brought us
closer than any other to our goal of
absolute accuracy and uncompro-
mised sonic realism.
Today, over 40,000 channels are
performing in symphonic halls,
stadium concerts and studios of
all sizes and shapes. Whatever the
venue or musical style, the HV-
3D delivers the authentic sound
of vocalists, acoustic instruments,
drums, triple guitar stacks... delight-
ing artists, engineers, producers and
listeners around the world.
You Can Pay More, You
Can’t Spend Less
Initial purchase price is never a de-
sign target at Millennia Media: we
strive to maximize return on invest-
ment and minimize total cost. Our
HV-3 Series is the mic pre of choice
at the highest levels of the profes-
sion: the HV-3D combines multiple
channels to minimize redundant
mechanical and electrical parts.
This is a tool you can build a career
around: it will remain valuable and
useful no matter how far your sonic
explorations take you.. Acquiring
an HV-3D is a step off the upgrade
treadmill: a step that will ultimately
save you much more than your
initial investment.
Authentic Transparency for Unrestricted Creativity
• Unsurpassed ambience retrieval
• Transformerless design with matched hi-speed discrete tran-
sistor octet has 23 dB 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 (300m) cable runs with ease
• Standard 36-step gain controls (1.5 dB per step) are stereo-
matched to .08 dB
• Ultra-clean switching power supply
• Gold and silver switch contacts
• OFC audio wiring
• Silver Teon power wiring
• Welded 16 gauge steel rack chassis
Options
•MADI
• DPA (B&K) +130 V mic inputs
•DC inputs for ideal performance with dynamic and ribbon
microphones
•Dante
Not Quite What You Need?
• HV-316 Remote Controlled
• HV-3C Stereo Mic Preamplier
• HV-32P Portable Stereo Mic Pre
•HV-35 500 Series Module
Minimum Gain 8.5 dB
Maximum Gain
(1.5 dB per step, 36 steps) 65 dB (up to 75 dB on request)
Frequency Response
+0 / -3 dB sub 3 Hz to beyond 300 kHz
Noise
60 dB Gain, 10 Hz - 30 kHz, Inputs common -133 dB EIN
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
35 dB Gain, 10 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth, +27 dBu Out < .001%, Typ. < .0005% (< 5 ppm)
Intermodulation Distortion
(50 Hz & 7 kHz) 35 dB Gain, +27 dBu Out < .0009%
Phase Response
35 dB Gain, 50 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth, +27 dBu Out < 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, +27 dBu Out > 25 volts per microsecond
Maximum Input Level
20 Hz - 40 kHz +23 dBu (no attenuator pads required)
Maximum Output Level
20 Hz - 40 kHz +32 dBu
Phantom Input Impedance
1 kHz 6,750 ohms
Output Impedance 24.3 ohms (x2)
DPA (B&K) Mic Powering +130 V dc max, (non-phantom)
Phantom Powering +48 V dc, +/- 2 V dc
Power Consumption 45 watts maximum
Power Requirements 100V to 240V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions/Shipping Weight 19” W x 3.5” H x 12.5” D, 2 3 lbs.
Printed in the USA
HV-3D Specications The sound is great -- sweet, rened, full of
dynamics - fabulous on grand piano.
Tony Faulkner,
Greenroom Productions, UK
owner of HV-3D and M-2B preampliers
The HV-3D is one of the nest pieces of gear
with which I have ever had the pleasure to
work. I use three of them to record the Na-
tional Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy
Center, with spectacular results.
Charles Lawson, Senior Recording/Produc-
tion 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] Millen-
nia preamps on everything...
Jack Renner, President, Telarc Records Inter-
national
Our HV-3D is primarily dedicated to making
a great drum sound instantly available. It’s
truly a beautiful thing and it sounds awe-
some... 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 ve 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 oor and reliability, because
we record 360 days a year. I simply could not
nd anything better than the HV-3D.
Jörg Mayr, Audio Engineer, Music Producer
Vienna Symphonic Library
Millennia Music & Media Systems
Diamond Springs California USA
T 530-647-0750
http://www.mil-media.com
Hand made in the USA.
One year limited warranty.
Specications and deliv ery subjec t t o
change without notice. Trademarks are
property of their respective holders.
©2022 Millennia Media, Inc.
Reviews
Lots of Pure Clean Gain
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)
Millennia Media HV-3C and HV-3D
041722
page 1 of 2
Millennia
Quick Start Guide
HV-3 Series Preamp Front Panel
1. HIGH RESOLUTION GAIN CONTROL
Detented, 36-position gain control employing a superior
quality Grayhill mil-spec gold plated rotary switch.
Switch gain is approximately 1.5 dB per step and is
inter-channel matched to better than 0.08 dB at all
settings.
After a brief warm-up period, adjustment of this switch
is virtually silent. Two illuminating pushbutton switches
(Green and Amber) determine the gain "range" of the
rotary switch.
When the pushbutton switches are not depressed (non-
illuminated), the mic preamp gain provided is as printed
on the front panel (9.0 dB, 10.5 dB, 12.0 dB, etc..).
When the green pushbutton switch (only) is depressed
and illuminated, add 18 dB to the gain settings as
printed on the front panel.\When the green and amber
switches are both depressed and illuminated, add 36 dB
to the gain settings as printed on the front panel. For
example, with both pushbutton switches depressed and
the rotary switch at 12:00 o'clock position, the preamp
gain would be 54 dB (18 + 36).
2. PHANTOM POWER SELECT SWITCH ("+48V")
Illuminating pushbutton switch which provides phantom
power (+48VDC) to the microphone inserted into that
channel. When this switch is depressed (illuminated
red), phantom power is applied simultaneously through
dual 6.81k ohm resistors to pins 2 and 3 of the three-pin
female XLR input.
Use phantom power with condenser and other
microphones requiring traditional phantom supply.
CAUTION: Applying phantom power to
ribbon microphones could damage them. Do
not use phantom with ribbons, moving coil, and
other microphones which do not require
phantom power. Use care, as well, to not insert
or extract mic cables from the HV-3 series
preamp when phantom power is active.
3. HIGH VOLTAGE SELECT SWITCH ("+130V")
Optional Illuminating pushbutton switch which selects
the four pin XLR input (+130VDC) for DPA (B&K) high
voltage microphones type 4003, 4004, 4009, and 4012.
When this switch is depressed (illuminated amber), the
HV-3 series preamp receives mic-level audio from the
four pin XLR input. If you are using a B&K (DPA) high
voltage microphone with four pin XLR connectors,
depress this switch so that it illuminates. If a
conventional microphone is used, do not depress this
switch. The HV-3 series preamp will not combine ("mix")
both conventional and high voltage microphones on one
channel. NOTE: The HV-3 series preamp is designed to
provide uninterrupted DC power to B&K (DPA) high
voltage microphones, regardless where this switch is
set. Use care that high voltage microphone
cables are not inserted or extracted from the unit when
power is on.
4. SIGNAL INDICATORS "OL" & "SP" LEDs
The green "signal present" (SP) LED indicates that a
nominal signal is present at the microphone input. It is
set to illuminate in the neighborhood of -35 dBu.
The red "overload" (OL) LED has been set to illuminate
when the balanced output reaches a level of +25 dBu.
However, the HV-3 series preamp can produce
unclipped, undistorted levels over twice this voltage.
Hence, the overload LED is not an indication of preamp
clipping. Rather, it is a general reference showing a
nominal "system" peak level.
If clipping is occurring in your recording path, check all
devices connected after the HV-3 series preamp and
reduce system gains accordingly. In the event that B&K
(DPA) 4004 or 4012 microphones are used with
hazardous sound pressures (over 130 dB, SPL), an
attenuator may be required between microphone and
preamp.
5. POWER SWITCH "POWER and PILOT INDICATOR
LIGHT LED - Rocker switch for switching AC line power
on and off. When LED is illuminated, shows that the HV-
3 series preamp unit is powered up and active.
4
1
2
2
3
3
4
1
5
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Media & Music Systems
Millennia Media HV-3C and HV-3D
041722
page 2 of 2
HV-3C
HV-3D
Rear Panel
1. CONVENTIONAL MIC INPUTS "48V IN "
Conventional 3-pin female XLR input jacks for use
with all conventional balanced microphones, both
phantom and non-phantom powered. Provides +48V
Phantom powering. Standard input impedance is
approximately 6,200 ohms. Pin 1 is ground. Pin 2 is
positive polarity. Pin 3 is negative polarity.
2. OPTION MIC INPUTS Two input options are
available; a 130V input and a DC-coupled “ribbon”
input. The option inputs are installed in the center
row. The drawing shows eight 130V inputs installed.
a.) 130V Option
Four-pin female XLR connector for use only with DPA
(B&K) models 4003, 4004, 4009, and 4012
microphones. Pin 1 is ground. Pin 2 is not connected.
Pin 3 is +130 Volts DC power and pin 4 is
unbalanced audio signal. Connecting anything other
than the above listed DPA models to this connector
may result in serious damage to microphone, the
HV-3 series preamp, or both.
b.) DC Option
Three-pin female XLR connector optimized for
dynamic microphones (ribbon, etc.). The DC option
bypasses the entire phantom circuit and routes a
microphone directly to the bases of the ultra-
matched gain transistors.
3. LINE LEVEL OUTPUTS "OUT"
Conventional three pin male XLR connectors
providing balanced, line level microphone output. Pin
1 is ground. Pin 2 is positive polarity. Pin 3 is
negative polarity. The line level output is designed
for driving 600 ohm loads and long, high capacitance
cables. Outputs may be configured in an unbalanced
configuration by either grounding one of the audio
polarities (pin 2 or pin 3), or taking one audio
polarity directly as an unbalanced signal
(recommended). In the former configuration, the
output is automatically decreased by 6 dB.
4. AC VOLTAGE MAINS SELECTION Note that
since 2017, HV-3C and HV-3D preamplifiers have
shipped with switch-mode power supplies. These
SMPS's detect mains voltages (90VAC to 243VAC)
and adapt automatically.
5. FUSES
5 x 20 mm,1000 mA, slow blow, 250 V, Littelfuse
218 or equivalent
POWER ENTRY "IEC Power Receptacle"
An IEC-type AC line-power receptacle for use with
removable cords. Use only the power cord
provided with the HV-3 series preamp unit or
equivalent U/L approved type SV, SVT, SJ, or SJT AC
power supply cord. Do not defeat the third pin earth
ground.
The complete HV-3D and HV-3C manuals are
available on-line:
HV-3C and HV-3D Full Manual
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
12345678
12345678
12345678
48V
IN
130V
IN
OUT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
For 115 - 240VAC operation, 50-60 Hz. Use only the following fuse types shown:
100 - 120VAC: 2 ch x mA, 4 ch x mA, 8 ch xA, all 250V Litelfuse type 313 slow blow, or equivalent.
200 - 240VAC: 2 ch x mA, 4 ch x mA, 8 ch xxx mA, all 250V Litelfuse type 313 slow blow, or equivalent
Chassis/Audio
Ground Strap
100 / 115 / 230 Selection
115
1
1
4
2
2
3
4
3
5
5
Millennia
Millennia Media, SPC
6411 Capitol Avenue
Diamond Springs, CA, 95619
http://www.mil-media.com
(530) 647-0750
Music & Media Systems
HV-3 Preamp Model Comparison
js110221
HV-3C/D
HV-32/35
HV-316
Channels
2, 4, 8
1,2
8, 16
Rail Voltage
+/- 24V
+/- 16V
+/- 11V
Power Supply
Switching
Host Rack or
Switching
Switching or
Battery
Maximum Output
+32 dBu
+28 dBu
+22 dBu
Maximum Input
+23 dBu
+20 dBu
+34 dBu
Noise
-133 dB EIN
-129 dB EIN
-131 dB EIN
Precision Stepped Gain
Yes
No
Yes
130V Option
Yes
No
No
Front Panel
Extrusion
Flat Stock
Extrusion
Ribbon Option
Yes
Included
Included
Instrument Input
No
Yes
No
Output Pad
No
Yes
Input Pad
Dante Output Option
HV-3D Yes
No
Standard I/O
MADI Output Option
HV-3D Yes
No
Planned
USB Output Option
HV-3D Planned
No
Planned
/
