Preamplifiers — Octave Audio Jubilee Preamp SE

The Jubilee Preamp SE is a tube preamplifier from Octave Audio, an upgraded edition of the standard Jubilee Preamp built with a separate outboard power supply unit, physically isolating the sensitive gain circuitry from mains-related noise and transformer hum. This two-chassis architecture reflects a design philosophy many reference-tier preamplifiers share - keeping power supply and signal path as far apart as practically possible.

Key specs that matter

Connectivity comprises two balanced XLR inputs plus five single-ended RCA inputs, with two balanced and two single-ended outputs - a slightly trimmed single-ended input count compared with the standard Jubilee Preamp, likely reflecting internal layout changes needed to accommodate the separate power supply's control interface. Gain is 10dB via RCA and 16dB via XLR, matching the standard model. Frequency response spans the same extraordinarily wide 3Hz to 100,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Signal-to-noise ratio (unweighted) improves meaningfully to 100dB, a full 10dB better than the standard Jubilee Preamp - an audible improvement directly attributable to the isolated power supply architecture. Total harmonic distortion plus noise remains at 0.1%. The preamplifier chassis measures 445 x 152 x 480mm at 17.2kg, with the separate power-supply unit at 220 x 152 x 480mm and 11.5kg.

Sound and use context

Expect the same smooth, harmonically engaging tonal character as the standard Jubilee Preamp, now with a meaningfully quieter background thanks to the 100dB signal-to-noise figure - this lower noise floor should translate into improved low-level detail retrieval and a blacker silence between musical passages, particularly noticeable on quieter acoustic or classical material.

Pairing

The dual balanced and single-ended outputs let the Jubilee Preamp SE feed two separate power amplifiers simultaneously, and the physically separate power supply gives a buyer flexibility in equipment-rack placement, keeping the transformer-equipped PSU away from sensitive phono or DAC components elsewhere in a system.

Alternatives

Octave's standard Jubilee Preamp sits below this SE edition at a lower price and without the separate power supply, worth considering instead if the 10dB signal-to-noise improvement doesn't justify the added investment and second chassis for a specific system. Buyers already invested in the standard Jubilee Preamp's connectivity and gain structure will find the SE upgrade a straightforward decision focused purely on noise-floor improvement rather than any change in core functionality.