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BNC to XLR Hydrophone Preamplifier

Connect passive hydrophones to devices offering phantom power

Aquarian SKU: PA6
$75.00
  • Connects passive piezo sensors (hydrophones, contact mics, geophones) directly to microphone preamps, mixing consoles, and audio interfaces
  • Broad spectrum high-impedance buffer that preserves acoustic signals from passive piezo sensors
  • Engineered to run on standard 48V phantom power, with performance down to 24V

NOTE: This amplifier is not waterproof.

What's Included:

  • BNC to XLR Hydrophone Preamplifier

Datasheet

We are committed to prompt service. Many standard hydrophone variants are kept in stock and often ship the next business day. Custom builds are frequently completed within one week, depending on quantity and configuration.

We ship worldwide using trusted carriers including UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout. International customers may be responsible for import duties, taxes, or brokerage fees assessed at delivery by their country and carrier.

Transit times and customs clearance can occasionally cause delays outside our control. Customers using their own courier account, freight forwarder, or uninsured shipping methods assume additional responsibility once the shipment leaves our facility.

For complete details on shipping methods, insurance, international shipments, delays, freight forwarding, and liability terms, please see our full Shipping Policy.
  • Aquarian made products are backed by a 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
  • Resold products manufactured by third parties may be covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, where applicable.
  • Returns of unused, like-new products are generally accepted, subject to inspection and approval.

Please review our full policies for details on custom products, misuse conditions, returns, exclusions, and limitations.

The PA6 is designed to connect passive piezo sensors, used in most hydrophones, to professional-grade microphone preamplifiers. These include preamps that are built into digital recorders, high-quality computer sound interfaces, PA systems, and mixing consoles. The PA6 will also be useful for many other sensors, such as geophones, accelerometers, contact microphones, and any device requiring a low-noise, high-impedance buffer that works within the human auditory spectrum and above.

Phantom power is required. 48V is the standard but the PA6 is designed to work with supplies as low as 24V with negligible performance difference.

NOTE: This amplifier is not waterproof. Care should be taken to keep connectors and electrical components as dry as possible, especially when working in corrosive environments such as seawater or chlorinated water.

Default board setup: 26dB gain, differential output, P48 phantom-powered

Equivalent Input Noise -120 dBV 10nF input shunt, A-weighted 20Hz – 22kHz, 1KΩ output load
Total Broadband Output Noise -88 dBV 10nF input shunt, Unweighted 10Hz – 90kHz, 1KΩ output load
Bandwidth 14Hz - 90 kHz +0/-0.5 dB, 1KΩ output load
4Hz - 270 kHz +0/-3 dB, 1KΩ output load
THD+N <0.01% @1kHz, -60 to -20 dBV input, 1KΩ output load
Max output >8dBV RMS @1kHz, 1KΩ output load, 1% THD
Current consumption 8.5 mA 48V Phantom Power (from mic preamp)
3.4 mA 24V Phantom Power (from mic preamp)
Gain 26dB Differential: pins 2 & 3 (Standard—can be factory-modified)
Z out 17 Ω Each phase to ground
Z in 10 MΩ (Standard—can be factory-modified to filter low frequencies)
Physical Ø19.7mm x 66.8mm, 42g. (Built on Switchcraft AAA3MZ connector)

External vs. Internal Amplification

  • The Advantage: External preamplifiers offer greater system flexibility, allowing you to easily switch between different audio interfaces or alternate between using your hydrophone as a receiver (microphone) and an acoustic projector (transmitter).

  • The Trade-Off: Because an external preamplifier modifies the signal after it travels down the cable run, it is inherently more susceptible to cable noise than an integrated internal preamplifier. If your application does not require flexibility, select a hydrophone with internal signal conditioning instead.

Compatibility Guide

The PA6 is designed to work with the following passive hydrophones:

  • AS-1 hydrophone (Ideal pairing)

  • S1 hydrophone, passive (Ideal pairing)

  • H3 hydrophone, passive

  • H1a hydrophone (Functional, but prone to high noise levels, consider instead a PA1dX)