Tag Archives: Tubed preamplifiers
This AXPONA was simply essentially the most upbeat, finest organized, and nicely attended present outdoors Munich. But what actually made this 12 months’s occasion so heartening was the range of the attendees. The halls and exhibit rooms had been filled with younger individuals and {couples} in search of new methods to discover music. Fortunately, this present had loads of inexpensive merchandise for them to see and listen to, and with options and capabilities focusing on how they wish to entry music.
Here are my picks of essentially the most attention-grabbing new electronics on the present.
5 Most Significant New Products
PrimaLuna EVO 100 Phonostage
PrimaLuna, the corporate identified for delivering superb worth and excessive build-quality, has launched a “swing-for-the-fences,” all-tube phonostage with the EVO 100. Nearly all tube phonostages make use of a step-up transformer or transistor achieve stage on the enter earlier than the tube stage to maintain noise ranges low. Realizing 65dB or extra of achieve with simply tubes can lead to a poor signal-to-noise ratio. PrimaLuna has addressed this problem with a large all-tube energy provide that makes use of a pair of EL34s, a tube normally present in a power-amplifier output stage. The EVO 100’s tube complement contains 4 12AX7s within the entrance finish, a 6922 for extra moving-coil achieve, and a pair of 5AR4 tubes as rectifiers. The EVO 100 presents three achieve settings (52dB, 56dB, 60dB). The first manufacturing items simply began transport from distributor/retailer Upscale Audio. Price: $3695.
Aesthetix Pallena Preamplifier and Dione Power Amplifier
Aesthetix has a protracted historical past of constructing exceptionally musical merchandise, a practice continued within the new Pallena preamp and Dione energy amp. The Pallena is a totally balanced tube preamp with a switched-resistor quantity management primarily based on that of the Calypso preamp. An ideal characteristic is the flexibility to customise the Pallena to your wants or add functionality later. Specifically, you possibly can add an elective phono module with achieve and loading changes. These changes could be constructed from the entrance panel or distant management. A second module provides digital-to-analog conversion that helps as much as 384kHz/24-bit PCM and DSD64 and DSD128. The Pallena comes normal with a headphone amplifier, or you possibly can go for a totally discrete differential-input headphone amp. The modules are $1250 every.
The matching Dione energy amplifier is a hybrid design with a tube achieve stage and solid-stage output stage. The amplifier options zero suggestions and has differential balanced-bridged circuitry by means of the output stage. All inputs are supplied on each unbalanced and balanced jacks. The energy transformers are, unusually, wound in-house. Power output is rated at 160Wpc into 8 ohms and 320Wpc into 4 ohms.
The Pallena and Dione are priced at $6500 every and are a step up from the spectacularly nice Aesthetix Mimas built-in amplifier that’s Neil Gader’s reference.
Cabasse Abyss Amplifier
One of essentially the most outstanding demos at this AXPONA wasn’t with one of many present’s greatest methods, however with one in every of its smallest. French speaker maker Cabasse confirmed its Abyss “High-Resolution Connected Active Amplifier,” a 120Wpc built-in amplifier with built-in streaming. What’s particular concerning the Abyss is the DSP processing inside that may enormously enhance the sound of any speaker, most dramatically with fashions from Cabasse. The DSP means that you can inform the system the place your loudspeakers are positioned relative to room boundaries and the DSP will regulate the frequency response for smoother bass. You also can regulate the tonal stability with the integral tilt controls. But right here’s the most effective half: When used with a passive Cabasse speaker, the amplifier will interact a DSP program particular to that speaker to easy out response. The frequency profiles of a variety of Cabasse audio system are programmed into the Abyss; you simply choose which one to interact. The DSP filter has 30 bands, permitting for very exact adjustment. Non-Cabasse audio system profit from a generic DSP algorithm. In addition, the Abyss has a patented processing algorithm referred to as Dynamic Fidelity Enhancer (DFE) that analyzes the sign’s dynamics and degree in actual time and modifies the sign to revive the music’s dynamics and bass extension at low listening ranges. Price: $1795.
Naim NSC 222 Streaming Preamplifier, NAP 250 Power Amplifier, and NPX 300 Power Supply
Naim confirmed the brand new 200-Series, comprising the NSC 222 streaming preamplifier, NAP 250 energy amplifier, and NPX 300 energy provide. The NSC 222 options Naim’s personal streaming engine that helps each streaming platform, Internet Radio, UPnP servers, and can be Roon Ready. A front-panel show exhibits the album artwork. The new preamp is managed by the Naim App, which additionally supplies multi-room management over all of the Naim parts on the community. A high-quality headphone amplifier, inherited from the superb Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, is included. Price: $8999.
The NAP 250 energy amplifier carries the mannequin designation of an iconic Naim amplifier launched in 1975. This new sixth-generation mannequin is, after all, considerably up to date with the newest expertise and design. It advantages from some circuitry developed for Naim’s quarter-million-dollar Statement energy amplifier, together with discrete power-supply regulation and the similar transistors within the output stage. The NAP 250 outputs 100Wpc. Price: $8999.
Finally, the NPX 300 energy provide continues a long-held Naim custom of offering an improve path by means of a really high-quality energy provide in a separate chassis. The NPX is designed to enhance the efficiency of the NPX 222 by delivering exceptionally clear DC energy to the streaming preamplifier. Price: $8999. I’ve heard a number of demonstrations of Naim’s outboard energy provides, and the development in sound high quality was important every time. The three items within the 200-Series share similar styling for a unified look. They are additionally housed in superbly machined aluminum chassis with distinctive build-quality.
Balanced Audio Technology VK-80t
MoFi Distribution confirmed the brand new all-tube BAT VK-80t energy amplifier to rejoice BAT’s 25th anniversary. The VK-80t outputs 60Wpc from the high-current 6C33C-B output tube, the identical tube present in BAT’s flagship REX 3 energy amplifier. This tube has a better present capability that the 6550 discovered in lots of amplifiers. The enter stage is constructed round a 6H30 “SuperTube.” This new BAT could be operated as a stereo amplifier or a 120W monoblock. An auto-bias circuit simplifies possession. Available in black or silver. Deliveries of the $9995 unit start in Q2.
Auspicious Debuts
Air Tight ATC-7 Line Control Amplifier
The venerable Japanese artisanal producer debuted its reference linestage, the ATC-7 Line Control Amplifier. In growth since 2018, the ATC-7 is Air Tight’s assertion in linestages. The all-tube unit options three unbalanced and two balanced inputs, two pairs of 12AX7s, two pairs of 12AU7s, and a extremely superior new quantity management together with an modern energy provide. The styling harkens again to basic merchandise of the previous, with giant front-panel knobs slightly than a digital show. Much consideration was paid to the look and tactile really feel of the knobs; Air Tight wished to convey again the enjoyment of hands-on involvement in working an audio system on this age of touchscreens. In that spirit, the ATC-7 contains 4 separate changes for tonal stability, two for “Presence” and two marked “Bass Compensator.” These mean you can dial within the sound to your significantly loudspeakers, room, and style. The stability management is a pair of knobs (one for every channel) marked “Gain Trim.” As with all Air Tight merchandise, the ATC-7 is constructed by hand to the best normal.
Technics SU-GX70X Streaming Integrated Amplifier
Technics’ new SU-GX70X streaming amplifier is filled with a bunch of superior options. The amplifier is digital, which means it retains digital enter alerts within the digital area during the amplifier. Digital-to-analog conversion happens as a part of the switching output stage. The unit outputs 40Wpc into 8 ohms and 80Wpc into 4. It options Technics’ LAPC processing that “appears to be like” on the traits of the speaker the amplifier is driving and processes the sign to higher match the amplifier to the loudspeaker load. The SU-GX70X has two line inputs, mm phono, networking, Internet Radio, FM radio, Bluetooth, and each streaming service you possibly can think about. It additionally does DSD as much as 5.6MHz. An HDMI enter is included with Audio Return Channel (ARC) for straightforward integration with a TV. You can management the unit through the entrance panel, distant management, or app. Price: $1999, with availability starting in late July.
AVM CS 5.3 and CS 30.3 All-in-One, and PAS Preamplifier
Udo Besser of Germany’s AVM was available to indicate me the corporate’s new CS 5.3 all-in-one unit. The CS 5.3 is a community streaming amplifier with each streaming perform possible, HDMI enter for integrating with a TV, a phonostage with adjustable loading and achieve, and a whopping 330Wpc of Class D output energy. The CS 5.3 could be ordered as a hybrid unit with a tube enter stage at $12,800, or with a solid-state enter at $10,000.
If you don’t want that a lot energy, take into account the brand new CS 30.3 all-in-one, a part of the brand new 30.3 line that brings AVM’s expertise and build-quality to a cheaper price tier. The $5000 CS 30.3 is totally loaded functionally however presents 125Wpc of output energy. The 30.3 sequence comes with the identical superbly machined aluminum distant management as AVM’s high fashions.
If you have already got an influence amplifier and wish to add extra options to your system, AVM confirmed the PAS preamplifier, which is actually a CS 5.3 with out the facility amplification stage. Price: $8000 with tube enter stage.
All the AVM merchandise are supplied in black, silver, and chrome finishes, the latter carrying a small upcharge. Commendably, AVM has written its personal streaming engine software program and invested significantly in making a management app. I noticed a demo of the app and was enormously impressed by its energy, visible magnificence, and ease of use. The app has an ingenious graphic show for multi-room management of an AVM system with a number of parts all through the house.
Rotel Michi Series 2 Integrated Amplifiers and Preamplifier
After a protracted quiet spell, Rotel launched three formidable merchandise within the upscale Michi Series. The first of two built-in amplifiers is the Michi X3 Series 2. The X3 options greater than 90 element upgrades, ESS ES9028PRO DACs, and reengineered energy provides. This powerhouse delivers 350Wpc into 4 ohms and features a full complement of analog and digital inputs, in addition to an mm phonostage.
If you need much more energy, the Michi X5 Series 2 will present 600Wpc into 4 ohms thanks partially to twin, in-house-manufactured, shielded, low-noise toroidal transformers. The X5 additionally advantages from element upgrades and contains selectable mm or mc phono enter.
Finally, the Michi P5 Series 2 preamplifier options the ESS SABRE DAC tailored to “mono” mode for enhanced efficiency. It presents a full suite of analog and digital inputs together with MQA decoding, DSD as much as 4x, and mm and mc phono inputs. The X3 Series 2 is priced at $5799; the X5 is $7999; and the P5 is $4599. Availability begins in April.
WestminsterLab REI Class A Monoblock Amplifier and Quest Preamplifier
I noticed and heard an formidable new energy amplifier and preamplifier from an organization new to me, Hong Kong-based WestminsterLab. The compact amplifier, referred to as the REI, operates in Class A to ship 100W; but, the amplifier ran cool to the contact because of the VARI-BIAS expertise and heatsink design. The amplifier can double its output energy because the impedance is halved, all the way in which all the way down to 2 ohms. The direct-coupled, no-global-feedback circuitry is totally discrete and realized with hand-matched parts. The REI could be bridged for 400W. The minimalist industrial design is uncommon and delightful, realized with CNC-machined aluminum and carbon fiber. The matching Quest preamplifier is equally tweaky, with a dual-mono totally balanced design and a discrete stepped attenuator. Prices: $32,900 per pair for the REI, and $25,100 for the Quest preamplifier. WestminsterLabs merchandise are distributed by HearThis in Newport Beach, California.
SoTM sPQ-100 Phonostage
Korea’s SoTM, maker of dozens of high-tech digital parts for community streaming, launched its first phonostage, the sPQ-100. Housed in SoTM’s acquainted wedge-shaped chassis, the sPQ-100 presents banks of DIP switches for high-quality changes of the equalization curve. One place on every change is marked “RIAA” for setting the unit to accurately equalize for the worldwide normal. No pricing was introduced, however the sPQ-100 is predicted to promote for about $800 plus the price of one of many outboard energy provides supplied by SoTM.
Mola Mola Lupe Phonostage and Perca Stereo Amplifier
The acclaimed phonostage constructed into Mola Mola’s Makua preamplifier has now been become a stand-alone unit with its personal energy provide. The new Lupe options three single-ended inputs and one balanced enter, balanced and single-ended output, and a subsonic filter, all housed in a half-sized chassis. Unusually, the mm and mc levels are utterly separate; in most phonostages the mc sign merely goes by means of a further achieve stage. Any of the 4 inputs could be routed to the output to accommodate turntables with a number of tonearms. Price: $9850.
Mola Mola additionally confirmed a brand new stereo energy amplifier, the Perca. It delivers 150Wpc into 8 ohms and may double that score into 4 ohms. Price: $9850.
Leak Stereo 230 Integrated Amplifier
Talk a few legendary title from the previous. Leak confirmed, by means of its U.S. distributor MoFi Distribution, the brand new Stereo 230 built-in amp. The unit options mid-century-modern styling together with a brand new DAC part that gives full MQA decoding, DSD512, and decoding of any PCM sign. An HDMI enter with Audio Return Channel (ARC) permits the 230 to breed tv sound. An mm phonostage and devoted headphone amplifier are included. The 230 is Roon examined, however certification is pending. Power output is 75Wpc into 8 ohms, and 110Wpc into 4 ohms. Price: $1695
Robert Harley’s Best of Show
Best Sound (value no object)
I’ll title three methods, in no specific order.
Axiss Audio’s demo of the Gauder Akustik DARC 200 loudspeaker pushed by Soulution electronics with a Transrotor turntable and Air Tight Opus One cartridge. Spectacular dynamics, hard-hitting bass, fast, clear, non-fatiguing, and simply plain musical.
The Acora Acoustics VRC loudspeaker ($218,000) pushed by VAC Statement electronics sourced by an Oracle Delphi Reference turntable and cabled with Cardas all through. The sense of presence and immediacy was beautiful, as was the large three-dimensional soundstage.
MBL’s lately upgraded 101 Mk.II loudspeaker pushed by all-MBL entrance finish and electronics delivered the standard dose of MBL virtues—a shocking sense of lifelike presence, top-to-bottom coherence, enormous soundstage, and great bass extension and impression. Because of the 101’s omnidirectional nature each seat in the home was within the candy spot.
Best Sound (for the cash)
The Cabasse Rialto energetic loudspeaker. This small dice combines a concentric forward-facing driver with a rear-firing woofer, integral amplification, streaming, and even DSP room correction. You’ve heard the expression, “Just add audio system.” The Realto is, “Just add music.” The sound was stunningly nice for $4000 a pair. As a showgoer stated, “It’s scary good.” I couldn’t agree extra.
Most Significant Product Introduction
Magico S3. This new $45k speaker brings the sonic qualities of Magico’s flagship merchandise to its less expensive fashions. I’d have thought I used to be listening to one in every of Magico’s M-Series audio system.
Most Significant Trend
Great enhancements in app-based consumer interfaces. Once crude and clumsy, the most effective interfaces are quickly turning into slick and highly effective. Examples: Server-maker Innuos’ spectacular customized music-management system and AVM’s app management of its all-in-one methods with multiroom functionality. That form of software program growth is extraordinarily costly however delivers a superior buyer expertise.
Most Coveted Product
The Hill Plasmatronics plasma tweeter. Dr. Alan Hill, the physicist who invented the plasma tweeter 40 years in the past, was available to witness the primary public show of his driver in 4 a long time. The plasma driver, which has no diaphragm and thus no shifting mass, was paired with an Eminent Technology LFT-8c, crossed over at 1kHz. The sound was extremely lifelike and easy—essentially the most pure and sensible replica of upper-midrange and treble I’ve ever heard. Thanks to Tony Salsich, Joe Galanti, and Ron Hoering for spending the time, effort, and expense to showcase this outstanding expertise and landmark piece of high-end historical past.
The submit The 2023 AXPONA Show: Robert Harley on Electronics appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Audible Illusions L3B
$5295
A purist design based mostly on a single Russian 6H23n-EB triode per channel, the L3A distills one of the best attributes of recent tube sound: exact transients, an in depth presentation, and pure but non-euphonic textures. It is its insistence on the sonic reality that defines it as a real reference line preamp. The L3A’s potential to retrieve the music’s rhythmic drive and drama makes it probably the most sonically persuasive line preamps in the marketplace. Audible Illusions’ greatest effort thus far and top-of-the-line line preamps DO has auditioned over time at any value: audible illusions on a grand scale! DO, 259
PrimaLuna EVO 400
$5295
The EVO 400 just isn’t solely PrimaLuna’s greatest line preamp providing ever, but it surely additionally holds its personal in opposition to ultra-high-end competitors. It’s laborious to flee the impression that it was designed from the bottom up on an influence amplifier chassis. It options huge and complicated energy provides, high-voltage regulation, unique passive components, and tube rectification through a pair of 5AR4s. Miraculously, it manages to mix the virtues of recent tube sound with the tonal heft and timbral realism afforded by classic tube preamps. If purity of expression and tonal realism are sonic priorities, get able to embrace the EVO 400. DO, 305
Atma-Sphere MP-3
$5590 ($6500 with LOMC phono)
This no-frills tubed preamp from Atma-Sphere is a must-hear for the purist music lover. Offering a crystal-clear, clean, and concise window on the music, the MP-3’s expansiveness is an ideal match for each tube and solid-state amplification. Balanced-only operation, phono non-obligatory. SK, 184
Aesthetix Calypso/Calypso Signature
$6000/$8500
The all-tube Calypso delivers many of the efficiency of Aesthetix’ two-box $13,000 Callisto linestage for a couple of third the worth. Sonically, the Calypso is characterised by extraordinarily good dynamics and dynamic nuance. Although the treble is clean and considerably laid-back, transparency and backbone are first-rate. Noise flooring is very depending on tube high quality, which has been variable. Competes with the megabuck preamps. The Signature model improves on the Calypso’s already terrific efficiency with an expanded soundstage, richer portfolio of instrumental textures, extra air, longer decays, and better-defined bass. AT discovered that the Signature model imparted a hotter forged to timbres. RH, 151; AT, 196
Pass Labs XP-12
$6100
The XP-12 line-level preamp forgoes dual-chassis extravagance however sonically you wouldn’t understand it. Music abounds with gorgeous orchestral layering and complicated three-dimensional soundspace vistas. There’s a stage of harmonic bloom throughout the spectrum, most notably within the infusion of resonance and decay cues round strings and winds. Anchored by the precision of Wayne Colburn’s single-stage digital quantity management from the Xs line, the XP-12 produced an nearly eerie sense of music spontaneously bursting forth within the right here and now. An outright discount. NG, 286
Lamm Industries LL2.1
$8490 ($8790, deluxe model)
This all-tube linestage preamp (with tube rectification) captures 80% of the sound of price-no-object preamps for a fraction of their price. Never in-your-face analytical, the LL2.1 frames particulars organically throughout the cloth of the music. Treble, bass, and transparency may be improved by utilizing the appropriate after-market tubes. DO, 198
McIntosh C53
$8500
McIntosh’s C53 preamplifier replaces an entire shelf-full of elements, rolling a state-of-the-art linestage, phono- stage, DAC, equalizer, and headphone amp right into a single elegant, albeit massive field, with no compromises in efficiency. With 16 inputs and three outputs, the C53’s connectivity is unequalled, its DAC supporting each widespread digital format, plus an ARC HDMI enter that appropriately decodes and mixes down film and TV sources for individuals who demand first-class AV copy by way of their two-channel setups. Its two phonostages are ok to obviate the necessity for separates. In addition to all this, the C53 gives battleship building and appears that simply radiate class, style, and elegance. One of PS’ reference preamplifiers. PS, 315
Aesthetix Janus/Janus Signature
$9000/$13,500
The Janus combines Aesthetix’ Calypso linestage with a scaled-down Rhea phonostage in a single chassis. The Signature model options upgraded components within the similar circuit. The models share quite a few qualities: velocity and element; a low noise flooring; exact rhythms; dynamics which are nearly reference-caliber; and a laid-back perspective. The quiet background and clean highs add as much as lengthy hours of wonderful, fatigue-free listening. AT, 196
MBL Cadenza C11
$9200
With civilized sonics, each ethereal and open, dynamics which are vigorous, and dimensionality and imaging which are distinctive, the C11 is a pleasure to make use of in live performance with different Cadenza gear, the place management and communication through Ethernet hyperlink is glitch-free. It can also be outfitted with probably the most sonically clear analog quantity controls (through a motorized potentiometer) that we’ve come throughout. NG, 228
Mark Levinson No5206
$9900
Part of the extra inexpensive (for Mark Levinson) 5000 Series, the No5206 sports activities a number of superior circuits and options. The dual-monaural sign path is direct coupled and pure Class A in operation. The audio path contains a single achieve stage mated to a digitally managed resistor-ladder quantity management. The No5206 is fitted with an integral DAC with MQA decoding and rendering and Bluetooth connectivity; the unit can deal with PCM as much as 384kHz/24-bit in addition to DSD as much as 11.2MHz. The No5206 even features a headphone jack with sufficient present drive to energy any ’telephones. The icing on the cake is an excellent mm/mc phonostage that includes a hybrid achieve expertise with an infrasonic filter and unusually complete cartridge-loading adjustment. The preamp is excellent with low-level passages, with decision restricted solely by the supply, not the preamplifier itself. AHC, 322
Pass Labs XP-22
$9975
The XP-22 is a big improve from the earlier mannequin on this slot. Based on new semiconductors and a brand new quantity management, the two-chassis XP-22 vaults the efficiency into one other league. The dual-mono energy provides function double-shielded toroidal transformers for even decrease noise. The output stage is extra sturdy, with the power to drive lengthy cable runs. The XP-22 is so clear that it improves upon the sound of operating a supply part instantly into an influence amplifier—not one thing each linestage can declare. Musically significant element and backbone are wonderful. If the recording possesses the knowledge, the rendering of area may be dramatic and dynamics startling. AQ, 316
Yamaha C-5000
$9999
Yamaha put some coronary heart and soul into its return to the audio deep finish. While the NS-5000 audio system and GT-5000 turntable are more likely to entice many of the 5000 Series consideration, the C-5000 preamplifier deserves its personal highlight. This totally balanced, solid-state preamp incorporates an exquisite, totally discrete phonostage with a large 80dB of potential achieve. There’s a sense of a sign unimpeded. The C-5000 doesn’t require a sonic counterbalance elsewhere within the system. It additionally occurs to be probably the most rewarding elements to simply put your palms on and use. An fascinating and distinctive possibility in high-end preamplifiers, particularly if a turntable is a vital a part of your system. AM, 308
The publish 2023 Editors’ Choice: Preamplifiers $5,000 – $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
Allnic Audio is a constant revelation to traditional audiophiles. Many first heard of the South Korean comany thanks to its excellent phono stages. Others from its range of fine Zero Loss cables. But the deeper you dig, the more you realise this is an electronics brand with eyes both on the future and the best of the past. The L-6500 line preamp – the brand’s entry-level model that replaces the L-1500 – is an example of why Allnic Audio deserves to be taken seriously.
The preamplifier is a paragon of simplicity, with a single gain stage in pure Class A using one 5842 triode valve per channel and both channels fed by a single 7233 voltage regulator triode, held in check by a 5654 detector. This last is a rugged little pentode that was designed by General Electric in the mid-50s for military applications, so can withstand the high-speed on-again, off-again cycles of a cathode-follower circuit. However, while a cathode-follower is a low-cost, easy-to-design way of keeping output impedance low, Allnic has gone for the more robust approach of transformer coupling.
Iron in the Soul
While a transformer-coupled preamplifier works wonders at keeping output impedance as low as possible consistently across the frequency range, the potential disadvantage such amplifiers have (compared to capacitor-coupled, cathode-follower circuits) is the limits of the frequency response are to some extent dictated by the quality of the transformer itself. This is why some of the cheaper valve amps sound great through small bookshelf loudspeakers and horns but are often found wanting when partnered with more modern wider-range loudspeaker systems. It sounds pretentious, but if an amplifier is the ‘heart’ of a system, then its transformers are its ‘soul’.
Giving my degree in the bleedin’ obvious a workout, care in transformer winding and ‘more iron’ in the transformer core are pivotal in making a good sounding transformer-coupled amplifier. However, a more intelligent approach is often called for. Allnic’s approach is to manufacture its own transformers and to use permalloy (iron and nickel) in the transformer core.
This use of permalloy speaks to Allnic’s ability to look both forwards and back in its development. The material is not new; it was invented in 1914 by Gustav Elmen of Western Electric to compensate for low inductance in transatlantic telegraph wires. Subsequent alloys with even higher magnetic permeability (such as mu-metal and supermalloy) exist, but Allnic – like many discerning audio companies – prefers the sonic characteristics of permalloy.
The amp runs both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs, although it makes no distinctions on the front panel; they are just a line of orangey-yellow LEDs. There are also similar LEDs for power and operation. The L-6500 also has two current meters on the front panel; if the meters are centred, all is good but a swing to the left means a failing gain valve and more spending on social care and a swing to the right usually means lower taxes and either the regulator or monitoring valves are dying.
An operational quirk is that while that volume knob is central and sizeable, the source selector knob is tiny, but at least it is bi-directional. There is a remote handset, which adds ‘mute’ to the preamp’s functions. You want balance, tape or AV throughput, or tone controls? Don’t be silly… this is a purist preamp for purist people!
Modern meets Classic
That blending of old and new that runs through the technology of the Allnic L-6500 extends to its sound quality too. Although from new, it’s going to take some time to fully get that blend; the review sample already had dozens of hours on the clock but adding more hours made the L-6500 really come into its own. Fortunately, it didn’t take any wrong turns or periods of sonic dreadfulness along the way and the tonal balance remained constant. Effectively, what changes over those first hours is the soundstage fills out and the midrange gets progressively more transparent.
What doesn’t change is the difference between RCA and XLR inputs; RCA remains better throughout. While the playing field is levelled in output (XLR and RCA are of similar performance), I’d still give the nod to RCA. Let’s be honest here; this doesn’t mean ‘XLR sucks’ or ‘never use XLR’; RCA’s degree of ‘better’ is minor at best. But if you can use RCA, do so.
The sound of the L-6500 isn’t the stuff of pithy soundbites, but in broad terms what gets under your skin first and fastest is its beguiling nature. Music ‘unfolds’ when played through the L-6500, almost irrespective of what’s being used up and down stream. This notion of music ‘unfolding’ isn’t part of the usual review vocabulary, but it fits the performance of the L-6500 well; the preamplifier digs deep into the layers of music and presents them to the listener. While this reads a lot like it is describing the imaging of the preamplifier (and, in fairness, the L-6500’s soundstage is extremely good, with its excellent stage depth being particularly noteworthy), this is something deeper. It’s more like getting closer to the intent of the musicians playing. There’s an eloquence and expressiveness to the L-6500’s sound that is more than just ‘feel’ or ‘articulation’ or even ‘coherence’. I found myself able to play some of the more ‘wig out’ recordings of John Coltrane like Ascension [Verve] and have that 11-piece band of genius and dissonance seem more understandable.
Nothing seems out of place in the L-6500’s performance, both in terms of musical and tonal balance and its spread of sonic benefits. It’s detailed and transparent, but not ‘to a fault’; the L-6500 lets you deep into the recording, without laying it bare. This might sound pretentious but it’s a sound of texture and colour; a rich, harmonically beguiling sound that stays just the right side of ‘sumptuous’. I have heard more resolving and more rhythmically direct sounding preamplifiers at this price, but that resolution and that rhythmic strength both come at a cost elsewhere in the performance, and the L-6500 is all about the balance.
Good recordings sound outstanding, but even less than stellar mixes sound free from abrasiveness and aggression. There’s not much to be salvaged from the Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication album [Warner Bros], but even this casualty of the Loudness Wars of the late 1990s has its moments through the L-6500; the title track has some separation and weight to it, and although it’s a record where even the silences are too loud, the L-6500 makes the best of a very bad job. I’m something of a pragmatist when it comes to good audio; if a system is so musically sublime that it means you must curate your music collection carefully, it’s doing something wrong. Allnic’s L-6500 is on the side of the angels here; maybe it is a fraction soft next to the super-detailed, super-transparent Masters of the Audiophile Universe, but I’d take that trade if it means I can play ‘She Does It Right’ from Dr Feelgood’s Down By The Jetty album [United Artists] and enjoy all its raw, proto-punk charm without wincing. Especially as what the L-6500 does with good recordings is so elegant and attractive.
Common characteristics
These characteristics seem common to Allnic’s electronics; they were shared by the H-5500 phono stage we tested in Issue 196 and the two make a fine sonic and visual match. It’s a family or house sound. Looking through the Allnic catalogue shows there is a lot more to be had from these two baseline models, with dual mono, direct heated triode and even output transformerless/output capacitorless preamplifiers further up the line. While these remain untested by hi-fi+, Allnic is not simply gilding the lily by adding more expensive variations on the same design. It’s an impressive array of products.
However, it’s also easy for a company to become so focused on the big hitter projects in the line-up that the all-important first rung on the ladder gets overlooked or underdeveloped. That is patently not the case here; Allnic’s KS Park puts as much energy in getting products like the L-6500 line preamplifier ‘right’ as he does with the leaders of the pack. It’s hard not to be impressed by the Allnic L-6500; it’s well built, sounds great and has an excellent balance of making music sound good no matter the quality of the recording. While the Allnic L-6500 is far too much of a sophisticate to shout for itself, that’s something to shout about!
Technical specifications
- Type Class A valve line preamplifier
- Inputs 2x RCA, 3x XLR
- Outputs 2x RCA, 1x XLR
- Tube/Valve Complement 2x 5842, 1x 7233, 1x 5654
- Input Impedance 10kΩ (RCA), 20kΩ (XLR)
- Frequency Response 20Hz–20kHz (±0dB), 16Hz–75kHz (-3dB)
- Voltage Gain +20dB
- THD (1kHz, 1V RMS) 0.06% at 0.3V, 0.15% at 1.0V
- S/N ratio -90dB (CCIR, 1kHz)
- Maximum Output 15V RMS (non clipping)
- Output Impedance 150Ω
- Power Consumption 30W
- Finish Black or silver
- Dimensions (W×D×H) 44 × 32 × 18cm
- Weight 12kg
- Price £6,950
Manufacturer
Allnic Audio
US Distributor
Kevalin Audio
Tel: + 1 503 292 5592
The post Allnic Audio L-6500 appeared first on Hi-Fi+.
This week Tom Martin discusses Audio Research’s SP-3a, his pilgrimage to Transcendental Audio, and the legacy the SP-3A left in its wake as it pioneered and pushed the hi-fi boundary.
The post Hifi History: The Classic, Tube-tastic Audio Research SP-3A Preamplifier appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
After completing a factory tour of Western Electric, CEO Charles Whitener took the time to talk with us and give an in-depth review of the company’s vision, manufacturing processes, and more!
The post Why is Graphene a Life-Saver for Amp Tubes? | Western Electric’s CEO Charles Whitener appeared first on The Absolute Sound.
An important part of every magazine editor’s job is to choose the writers who appear in the magazine, and to decide which articles to publish and which to reject. The collective result of these judgment calls over many years is an implicit statement of the magazine’s fundamental view of the subject it covers—the magazine’s heart and soul, if you will. For example, Consumer Reports evaluates automobiles from the viewpoint that cars are nothing more than transportation appliances, while Automobile reflects a passion for fine automobiles and the joy of driving. The respective editors of each magazine would surely decline to …
From the McIntosh press release September 17th, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: Following in the footsteps of McIntosh’s retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, (which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier), McIntosh has launched two more ‘open chassis’ amplifiers, the C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier (£4,295) and MC830 Solid State Amplifier (£4,995 each). With style cues that nod to their 1950s and 1960s aesthetic design heritage, both the C8 and MC830 are full of modern-day technology, with a feature set that’s perfectly suited to the modern music lover. The duo offers direct turntable connectivity, thanks to MM and …
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