Lehmann Black Cube II Phono Preamplifier
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The Black Cube II combines the best assets of our popular Black Cube family: the proven quality of our evergreen Black Cube, upgraded by the high-class connectors and the representative enclosure of the Black Cube SE II. Like its predecessors, the Black Cube II makes shine virtually all MM and MC pickup systems available on the market, eliciting from your favourite music the complete sound spectrum of the original recording. Owing to the lavishly configurable bass filter with sixteen different settings, the Black Cube II can be perfectly tailored to your tonal preferences. Its peerless dynamics let you rediscover old and new recordings – as if it was your first time!
The ultra precise, passive RIAA filter network of the Black Cube II sits between two linear gain stages and is realised using super-grade, high-transient, closely toleranced polypropylene foil caps. Hence this phono preamp offers the impressive, pure sound image of the premium device league at an attractive entry-level price tag.
Our new classic boasts a custom-designed power supply for a wide, distortion-free dynamic range. The enclosure of the Black Cube II consists of a non-magnetic material (aluminium) and is dampened unter the lid. The professional input stages of the latest generation ensure an outstandingly accurate, punchy, low-noise reproduction. The audio section is equipped with additional subassemblies for an efficient hum, HF and noise suppression. Its dual-sided audio board allows an optimised trace layout for an exceptionally smooth operation.
The Black Cube II can be flexibly adapted to almost any system: each channel offers a slot for the solderless fitting of a custom impedance, plus there is an extra hard-wire slot with immediate effect. If you would like to get some resistors for matching your personal chain to the Black Cube II, we will include them free of charge with your order.
Owing to its high-quality front panel options (silver, black or chrome-plated), the Black Cube II also cuts a fine visual figure in your hi-fi rack, together with Linear & Co. – the perfect gateway to this equipment class.
Features
- Low noise design
- Compatible also with exotic MC cartridges
- Ultra precise passive RIAA equalisation network for perfect transient response and channel balance
- Custom impedance slot
- Additional hardwire slot
- Soft bass roll-off filter with sixteen different settings
- Non-magnetic aluminium housing with mechanically dampened top cover to avoid microphony and resonances
- RCA sockets with gold-plated contacts
- Shielded power supply cable
- Made in Germany
Specifications
| Sensitivity for output level 775 mV/ 0 dB (with activated high gain switch) Gain 1 kHz Maximum input level 1 kHz Signal to noise ratio (RMS unweighted) |
MM: 3.8 mV/1 kHz; MC: 0.38 mV/1 kHz MM: 46 dB; MC: 66 dB MM: 45 mV; MC: 4,5 mV MM: 71 dB; MC: 63 dB |
| Gain | 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB |
| Channel separation | > 85 dB at 10 kHz |
| Input impedance | 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms 1 x custom load 1 x hardwire slot |
| Output impedance | 47 ohms |
| Input capacitance | 100 pF |
| Channel mismatch | typ. 0.5 dB |
| Bass filter | 16 settings between 7 Hz and app. 90 Hz |
| Power consumption | < 3 W |
| Outer dimensions W x D x H | Audio section: 114 mm x 124 mm 50 mm Power supply: 70 mm x 115 mm x 55 mm |
| Weight | Audio section incl. cable to power supply: 0.65 kg netto Power supply: 0.3 kg netto |
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About
Lehmannaudio Vertriebs GmbH was originally founded in 1988 by Norbert Lehmann, a young audio engineering student, in Cologne, Germany. Through those early days, Norbert developed a deep understanding of how the quality of certain electrical devices affected the end sound-performance of an amplifier. The cumulative result of this formative period was manifest in 1995, when Lehmannaudio released the Black Cube phono stage.
The Black Cube is now a cult object in the audiophile market. Still available today in almost the same form as the original model, the Black Cube took components more commonly found in studio mixing desks and brought them to a hi-fi product. The result was an affordable phono stage that sounded truly sublime. In 2004, the next icon was born; the Linear Headphone Amplifier (originally called Black Cube Linear) again took studio principles and brought them to the hi-fi sector, allowing hi-fi fans to experience the true engineering ability of Norbert Lehmann.
Since 2004 the phono stage and headphone amplifier sectors have been happy homes for Lehmannaudio products, and now the company can boast a range of products in each sector that are suitable for all budgets and technical requirements.