Preamplifiers — Accustic Arts PREAMP V PHONO

The PREAMP V PHONO is the transistor reference preamplifier from Accustic Arts of Lauffen, Germany, supplied with the plug-in MM/MC phono board fitted. The PREAMP V generation was introduced at the start of 2023 and is handmade in Germany. The base line-level PREAMP V was priced from EUR 25,500, the phono board adds EUR 1,800, and the complete configuration comes to EUR 27,300. Silver, black with silver and black with gold finishes are offered.

Key specs that matter

Inputs comprise three balanced XLR and three unbalanced RCA sockets, one of which can be set up as a surround bypass. Outputs include two balanced XLR and two unbalanced RCA line-outs, a fixed RCA output, an extra XLR output, a 6.3 mm headphone jack and two switchable unregulated outputs for an external headphone amplifier. Frequency response runs from DC to 120 kHz within +0 and -0.5 dB, crosstalk exceeds 115 dB, and noise is rated at 99 dB unweighted or 102 dB A-weighted. THD+N stays under 0.001 percent and the maximum output reaches 11 V. Input impedance is 2 x 50 kohm balanced, output impedance is 2 x 50 ohm balanced. The case measures 128 x 482 x 393 mm and weighs 14.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

Both signal phases are carried separately through the whole path, which ends in a Class A output stage, with Burr Brown OPA 627 op-amps and gold-plated relay contacts. A four-channel digital volume control keeps channel deviation under 0.2 dB across a 60 dB range. The magnetically shielded 50 VA toroidal transformer sits directly on the main board. The phono board takes the place of input 4 and can also be added later, and its menu offers MC loads from 47 to 470 ohm and MM capacitance from 50 to 425 pF. Each pair of line-outs has one AC-coupled and one DC-coupled version - the DC path omits the RC filter and passes content almost down to 0 Hz, while protective circuitry still blocks harmful DC. There is no DAC, USB, HDMI or Bluetooth.

Pairing

The balanced outputs and dual AC and DC line-outs allow two power amplifiers or active loudspeakers to be driven at once, and the AC-coupled outputs are the choice for power amps that should not receive very low frequencies. The large display gives access to menu settings including tone control, and the unit comes with an all-metal remote. A turntable with MM or MC cartridge connects directly to the phono input.

Alternatives

The Accustic Arts TUBE PREAMP V PHONO is the tube hybrid preamplifier offered at practically the same price with the same phono option.