PREAMPLIFIER 2
It’s the kind of presentation that reveals its beauty not in a quick demo, but during a long session. The Absolare electronics speak more to the heart than to the ear.
Robert Harley - The Absolute Sound Issue 234
AWARDS
Best of Show, Munich High-End 2018
The Absolute Sound - Jim Hannon
Best of Show, Munich High-End 2013, 2014, 2018
The Absolute Sound - Robert Harley
Best of CES 2013
The Absolute Sound - Robert Harley
Golden Ear Award 2013
The Absolute Sound
Product of the Year Award 2013
The Absolute Sound
Editor’s Choice Award
The Absolute Sound 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
OVERVIEW
The Absolare Preamplifier 2 has been designed with the goal of creating a pure and emotionally engaging preamplifier. A preamplifier capable of conveying the deepest musical integrity within the faithful reproduction of the recorded performance.
Through several years of methodical research, the Absolare team has indeed come to believe that there is an absolute in terms of identifying the right components and correctly implementing them within the ultimate minimalist preamplifier design.
Absolare Preamplifier’s highly synergized ensemble of customized, rare, cost-no-object components are all critically chosen for their superior performance. The design principle in the Absolare preamplifier is best reflected in the following three words – “Purity, Control, and Power”. Purity of signal, control of resonance and clean power.
"In the ability to portray a large sense of space, of instruments within that space and the distance between them and the overall impression of hearing a life-like three dimensional rendering, the Absolare electronics are exceptional, perhaps the best I’ve heard. As you might expect from minimalist, pure single-ended-triode signal path, the Absolare’s midrange is glorious in timbre color, liquidity, and freedom from grain. It is as though something is removed between you and the music, laying bare sound itself and the musical meaning behind that sound."
Robert Harley – The Absolute Sound – Issue 234
The Absolare Preamplifier 2 is a pure class-A, zero feedback, all-tube preamplifier with 4 inputs and 2 outputs. "High impedance - High gain" input with minimum number of components provides undisturbed amplification. "Low impedance - Unity gain" output section can drive any load easily. Tubes are configured in single-ended fashion with a minimum number of components to preserve sonic purity.
Key Features
• Several color and stitching options of high-end automotive leather covering are available to personalize your preamplifier
• All internal connections are realised with Echole signal and power cables
• Separate signal ground from chassis ground isolates hum and noise from AC mains
• The Large CNC machined aluminum tube housing provides a vibration free environment for the tubes. Signal components are directly mounted to the underside of the CNC machined tube housing to minimize unwanted vibrations
Model 2 Highlights
The Preamplifier 2 is a significant step above the previous Signature series. The new design results in an even faster, more transparent sound with enhanced harmonic resolution.
• All internal wiring is upgraded to Echole Omnia cables.
• A new power supply for the heaters and improvements on the signal supply brings even lower noise floor and concise presentation of the sound stage.
• Duelund’s custom CAST Tinned and Copper coupling capacitors are used together with Amtrans AMRG resistors
• New input selection system minimizes the signal path to the physical limits which provides blacker background and immense palpability.
Connections and Chassis
XLR inputs and outputs are transformer balanced for maximum noise immunity and signal symmetry. Special silver-gold alloy solder is used for all soldered joints. All signal connectors are gold plated tellurium copper. Tube sockets are pure teflon with gold plated copper contacts.
The Absolare Preamplifier 2 is housed in a single chassis with separate power supply and signal sections internally partitioned by a thick aluminum wall. This design eliminates unwanted magnetic influence of AC noise on the signal path. The laser cut and precision welded single piece aluminum chassis is encased in high density fiber panels to minimize the mechanical resonances.
PREAMPLIFIER ALTIUS 2
There is a limited edition Altius model of the Absolare Preamplifier 2 which extends performance well beyond the previous Altius model model thanks to numerous component improvements.
In addition to all Preamplifier 2 upgrades, Duelund’s custom CAST Silver/Copper coupling capacitors are used together with matched Amtrans AMRG resistors for excellent transparency.
With Integrated Altius 2, all internal wiring is upgraded to the new reference of the high-end audio cable industry Echole Infinity cables.
Attenuation is achieved through customized ALPS 500 series attenuator. A machined solid bronze housing and specially developed resistive element conducts every nuance in the signal, even in low level listening.