The Emotiva BasX PT1 is a stereo preamplifier from the company's entry-level BasX range that puts a line stage, a phono section, a DAC, a Bluetooth receiver and an FM tuner in one chassis. Emotiva presents it as a single control centre for a two-channel system, offering the flexibility of separate components at a lower cost, and it was listed at USD 379.
Key specs that matter
The analogue side offers two pairs of line inputs, marked CD and Aux, plus one phono input switchable between moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Digital connections include coaxial S/PDIF, optical Toslink and USB inputs, all accepting 24-bit/192 kHz, and a Bluetooth 5 receiver supporting AptX, AptX HD and AAC. The line stage reaches a maximum output of 4 V RMS, with a frequency response of 5 Hz to 50 kHz within 0.04 dB, THD plus noise under 0.001% A-weighted and noise more than 120 dB below full output. The phono stage follows the standard RIAA curve from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with 44 dB of gain for MM and 55 dB for MC, and its signal to noise figures are better than 78 dB for MM referenced to 5 mV and 58 dB for MC referenced to 0.5 mV. The unit measures about 432 x 67 x 318 mm and weighs about 4.1 kg unboxed.
Engineering and use context
Three output groups make the PT1 adaptable. A stereo full-range main output drives a power amplifier directly, while a separate stereo high-pass output is filtered at 90 Hz with a Linkwitz-Riley slope, and a subwoofer output carries the matching low-pass signal. That way the main speakers are spared the deepest bass when an active subwoofer joins the system. FM reception uses a dedicated aerial socket, with memory for 15 station presets, so broadcast radio needs no separate component. The DAC side of the PT1 receives the coaxial, optical and USB streams and converts them before they reach the volume control and outputs. A stereo headphone output delivers from 23 mW into 8 ohm up to 145 mW into 150 ohm. Boxed, the unit weighs about 6.4 kg. Mains input is universal, configuring itself automatically between 100 and 240 V AC.
Pairing
The fixed-level outputs expect a stereo power amplifier, and the high-pass plus subwoofer outputs allow a 2.1 setup with small speakers and an active subwoofer without an external crossover. Turntable owners may plug in an MM or MC pickup without extra hardware, while streamers, televisions and computers use the digital inputs.
Alternatives
The Emotiva BasX PT2 sits above it in the BasX line, adding four line inputs, Home Theater Bypass and a 2RU chassis for USD 699.