Предусилители — Riviera Audio Labs APL01 Special Edition

The APL01 Special Edition, also written APL01SE, is a valve line preamplifier from Riviera Audio Labs of Italy. The company presents it as the fullest expression of its preamplifier work, a model where every part of the design was tuned for listening results rather than for figures on a spec sheet. The listed price is EUR 34,000 before VAT where it applies, and the Special Edition sits in the range alongside the regular APL1 line stage.

Key specs that matter

The audio circuit uses valves throughout, with two 6350 or 6463 tubes in a Class A, zero feedback SRPP configuration. Gain is 10.5 dB and input impedance is 47 kohm. There are five unbalanced line inputs, two balanced line inputs fed through transformers, one Aux input that can be customised and a tape loop with its own input and output. On the output side, two balanced and two unbalanced line outputs are provided, the balanced ones through transformers, so two power amplifiers can be driven for multi amping. The chassis measures 44 cm wide, 49 cm deep and 19.5 cm high, and the unit weighs 27 kg. Operation is also possible from the supplied remote handset.

Engineering and use context

Riviera states that the SRPP stage is optimised to produce a particular distribution of harmonics that the company regards as benign to the ear. The power supply is a linear, non switching design built around a transformer of about 200 VA, far larger than the small signal circuit strictly needs. It uses a double inductive pi filter and a parallel stabiliser circuit for the anode supply, and there are six separate stabilised supplies in total. Level adjustment relies on a motorised TKD potentiometer of ladder type, and this part is elastically mounted on the chassis so that vibration does not reach it. Riviera believes the mechanical behaviour of a preamplifier affects the final result, so many chassis parts are cut from solid aluminium blocks, which is why the unit is heavy.

Pairing

Transformer coupled balanced outputs and a moderate gain figure suit power amplifiers with balanced inputs, including Riviera's own designs, and the dual outputs allow a bi amped system or one stereo amplifier together with a powered sub. Balanced source components connect through the transformer inputs, while the tape loop can host a recording deck or an outboard processor.

Alternatives

Riviera Audio Labs also makes the APF01, a phono preamplifier first presented at HIGH END Vienna 2026.