When we auditioned a pre-production sample of this design in October 2007 we were amazed by its performance. The phono stage is exquisite, it plays music with both nuance and power and it is an exceptionally quiet design. The headphone jack is connected directly to the preamp output, without buffering, and can power headphones with impedance as low as 30 ohms.

This preamplifier is wired point to point without using circuit boards.

The phono stage is suitable for moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges. For low output moving coils we recommend the use of a step-up transformer - a compatible Artisan Audio step up will be available in the very near future.




Specification

Bandwidth 0.01 Hz to 200 kHz - 10k load

IM distortion less than 0.02% at 2 volts

Harmonic less than 0.02% at 2 volts, from 10 Hz to 40 kHz
distortion

Gain 18.5 db - line
41 db at 1 kHz - phono

Input impedance 75 kOhms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Output impedance 1.5 Ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Output polarity Inverting

Maximum input 30 Volts RMS, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Maximum output 60 Volts RMS, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
20 Volts into 600 Ohms

Hum and noise less than 10 microvolts RMS
residual IF weighted
Gain control at minimum

Valve complement 3 x 12AC7, 1 x 6N1P, 2 6H30

Dimensions 127 mm high, 280 mm deep, 432 mm wide

Weight 12.7 Kg

Warranty Three years parts and labour (90 days on valves)

UK retail £3250



NB UK units will not feature the mains outlets shown in this photo.