Pre Amps

DUAL TOROIDAL POWER TRANSFORMERS

Power transformers generate two types of noise, magnetic and acoustic. That's why toroidal power transformers are used in the very best audio products. Compared to standard transformers, toroids radiate about 1/10 the magnetic field that pollutes music and obscures detail. Additionally, the absence of an air gap typically means toroids have an 8:1 reduction of acoustic noise. As transformers are the most expensive components in any audio product, manufacturers will even house cheaper C-core and EI-core transformers in an outboard power supply box with an umbilical cable rather than upgrade to an expensive toroid. The increased cost is significant, but PrimaLuna doesn’t cut corners. All PrimaLuna products use massive, potted toroidal transformers. PrimaLuna transformers are enclosed in a metal housing and then potted in a non-microphonic resin to further reduce noise and to protect the windings from moisture and deterioration forever. They are massive, resulting in a preamp weighing a substantial 31 pounds.

• Hand-made construction of a heavy-gauge, fully-vented steel chassis with a five coat finish, each coat hand-rubbed and polished, holding the finest point-to-point wiring, using workmanship that is normally only available at the highest price.
• Elegant style, heavy-metal remote controls for all EVO Tube Preamplifiers.
• Premium parts that include separate toroidal and EI transformers for left and right channel power supply; wide bandwidth for great bass and extended highs; ceramic tube sockets; motorized ALPS volume control; Nichicon and DuRoch capacitors; 5AR4 tube-rectifier-circuitry; gold-plated panel mounted RCA and XLR input and output jacks.

• Hand-made construction of a heavy-gauge, fully-vented steel chassis with a five coat finish, each coat hand-rubbed and polished, holding the finest point-to-point wiring, using workmanship that is normally only available at the highest price.
• Elegant style, heavy-metal remote controls for all EVO Tube Preamplifiers.
• Premium parts that include separate toroidal and EI transformers for left and right channel power supply; wide bandwidth for great bass and extended highs; ceramic tube sockets; motorized ALPS volume control; Nichicon and DuRoch capacitors; 5AR4 tube-rectifier-circuitry; gold-plated panel mounted RCA and XLR input and output jacks.

• Hand-made construction of a heavy-gauge, fully-vented steel chassis with a five coat finish, each coat hand-rubbed and polished, holding the finest point-to-point wiring, using workmanship that is normally only available at the highest price.
• Elegant style, heavy-metal remote controls for all EVO Tube Preamplifiers.
• Premium parts that include separate toroidal and EI transformers for left and right channel power supply; wide bandwidth for great bass and extended highs; ceramic tube sockets; motorized ALPS volume control; Nichicon and DuRoch capacitors; 5AR4 tube-rectifier-circuitry; gold-plated panel mounted RCA and XLR input and output jacks.

Introducing one of the most remarkable musical instruments in the world, the BHK Signature Preamplifier. This exceptionally built vacuum tube preamplifier opens up the music and reveals nuances, life and space not previously heard on your system. It is the perfect interface between your sources and power amplifier.

The new Relentless Preamplifier is the ultimate in preamplifier design. The preamplifier plays a critical role in musical playback; the point in the reproduction stage when the music signal is particularly susceptible to compromise through noise and distortion. The use of three separate chassis in the design of the Relentless Preamplifier—a dedicated audio chassis for each channel separated by a power supply/control section—addresses these challenges and brings other benefits besides.

Many audiophiles believe that the preamplifier is the most important component in a music system. It is often the focus of much of the designer’s attention as there are many aspects of the signal path that need to be managed. The Air Tight ATC-3 is a high quality preamplifier with a great pedigree and remarkable sonics. It utilises a tried and true, well proven design that has been refined over many years so that it is very quiet, very transparent, neutral and ultra-dynamic.

It was 30 years ago when Air Tight introduced their first tube pre-amp, the ATC-1 with the ambitious intention being to reproduce real, dynamic sound. So successful were they in realising their ambition that the ATC-1 became a global reference preamplifier for many years and defined that ideal of Japanese refinement. After many years of further research & development, Air Tight have now released the totally redesigned ATC-5 to continue the tradition and cater for the serious audiophile with a requirement for analogue or digital music sources.

Second-Generation Transformer-Coupled Outputs Provide Exceptional Purity

The VK-80 is comfortable in any system, at any price point, and should be on your short list before spending more. All you need to do is listen.

Introduced simultaneously with the REX 300 power amplifier, the Balanced Audio Technology VK-85 preamplifier blurs the lines between the finest tube and solid-state sound. VK-85 features BAT’s trademark high-current Unistage topology with transformer-coupled outputs that anchor the full line of Balanced Audio Technology’s preamplifiers. VK-85’s second-generation output transformers work in conjunction with a symmetrical N-channel Unistage gain block to provide the high-current operation that is a BAT hallmark. A revised connection scheme for the SuperPak Quattro technology used in REX 300 offers beguiling levels of musical finesse and textural beauty.

Comprised of a vacuum-tube power module and separate control module, the groundbreaking two-box component features second-generation amorphous-core output transformers wound with Cardas Audio’s finest OFC wire. Equally remarkable, the 10-tube REX power module incorporates additional oil-filled capacitors in an enhanced SuperPak assembly. Sonically, these critical additions offer finer dynamics, clarity, and top-to-bottom extension when compared to the already stellar previous REX generation. The easy-to-use REX 3 also boasts an incredible user interface and plenty of customizable options. And with the REX 3’s proprietary electronic shunt volume attenuator, you can always get the volume just right.