Turntables — Premiera ULTRA XXL

The ULTRA XXL tops the three-model ULTRA belt-drive series from Premiera, a Russian audio brand, and is the only version able to digitise records. It keeps the internal phono preamplifier and Bluetooth of the ULTRA XL and gains an ADC feeding a USB socket. The listed price was 23,800 roubles, and three finishes are available - matte black lacquer, matte white lacquer and PVC with a walnut pattern.

Key specs that matter

The built-in converter records at 16-bit and 44.1 kHz in WAV format through a USB-B socket. A single RCA stereo output gives a minimum of 3.0 mV into 47 kohm with the phono stage bypassed and over 300 mV once the RIAA stage is on, and Bluetooth 5.3 handles wireless playback. The motor is a DC servo type driving the platter by belt at 33.3 or 45 rpm, with wow and flutter of 0.25 percent or less per DIN 45507 and IEC 60386. The factory-mounted Audio-Technica AT3600L is a moving magnet design with a conical tip, tracking at 2.2 to 3.5 g. The arm's effective length is 224.2 mm, with 208.2 mm from pivot to spindle. Power consumption reaches up to 7 W on 220 to 240 V mains at 50 Hz, and the player weighs 5.2 kg in a 434 x 125 x 370 mm footprint.

Engineering and use context

Connecting the USB-B port to a computer lets the turntable act as an audio interface, so vinyl can be archived to digital files without a separate recording device. The aluminium platter is non-magnetic, removable and held to a flatness of plus or minus 0.6 mm, and it rests on a base with anti-resonance properties. Tracking force and anti-skating can both be set by the owner. After the last groove the auto-stop feature shuts the motor down, while cueing remains a manual job. The detachable clear lid is included. The phono circuit is switchable, and the shipping weight with packaging is 7.0 kg. All three ULTRA models share one mechanical platform, so the XXL differs from the XL only in its recording hardware, with the arm, motor and cartridge carried over.

Pairing

Several connection routes are open at once. The line-level signal from the internal preamplifier goes into an amplifier, receiver or active speakers, the Bluetooth transmitter reaches wireless speakers or headphones, and the USB link feeds recording software on a PC or Mac. For an external phono stage, the internal one can be switched out.

Alternatives

The Premiera ULTRA X is the simplest turntable of the same series, built on the same deck but without a phono stage, Bluetooth or USB.