Vac Rac TSL-3 Mix Magazine Field Test
October 2007

In 1995, Steve Firlotte and Steve Barker designed the Inward Connections all-tube VacRac, a modular system that integrated the company's TMP mic preamp, TLM-1 limiter and TEQ equalizer, both with external power supplies, in a 19-inch, rackmountable Lunchbox-type chassis. The TLM-1 mono opto-limiter proved to be the biggest hit of the three modules, and many pros were disappointed when the VacRac was discontinued around the year 2000. Hopes were renewed a couple years ago, however, when Inward Connections resurrected its favored limiter in a stand-alone, dual-channel design made for Vintage King Audio, the company's current distributor. And so the VacRac TSL-3 tube stereo limiter was on the market.

Housed in a well-ventilated, gorgeous, 3U steel chassis sporting large knobs and VU meters, it's the TSL-3's onboard power supply that actually deserves the headline. The high-power (300-volt), tube-regulated supply immaculately preserves audio transients, which factors largely into the TSL-3's beautiful, signature sound.

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