Предусилители — Phasemation CM-1500

The CM-1500 is a hybrid passive preamplifier from Phasemation of Yokohama, Japan, released in 2024 as a more affordable companion to the CM-2200 Control Meister. Instead of an active gain stage, it controls level with the company's patented hybrid attenuator, which combines features of resistive and transformer attenuators to reach a high input impedance together with a low output impedance. The US price is USD 7,500, and the front panel comes in gold or black.

Key specs that matter

At the back sit three RCA inputs plus two XLR inputs, and the two RCA and two XLR outputs are live simultaneously. Input impedance is 47 kohm or more and output impedance is 250 ohm or less. Channel separation reaches 100 dB or better between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, and frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 100 kHz within +0 and -3 dB. Gain is switchable in three steps - +6 dB, 0 dB and -10 dB - and the attenuator has 23 contact points covering 0 dB to -50 dB, so the two controls together give fine level adjustment. The chassis measures 430 x 93 x 362 mm and Phasemation lists a weight of 6.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

At its core the unit uses a balanced attenuator transformer carrying two attenuator windings, one for the hot leg and one for the cold leg, on a single core. That core is made from ultra-thin 0.1 mm Super Malloy, and the windings use PC-Triple C polyurethane-coated copper wire, chosen by the maker for linearity in the low range and for the treble. The dual-winding layout is intended to extend frequency response and keep phase distortion low across the band. Rotary switches have gold-plated contacts, RCA terminals are machined from brass and gold plated, and the XLR sockets are gold-plated Neutrik parts. The front panel is 10 mm aluminium and the chassis is 1.6 mm copper-plated steel.

Pairing

The simultaneous balanced and unbalanced outputs let the CM-1500 feed two power amplifiers, or a power amplifier and a powered subwoofer, without switching. The highest gain setting is there for sources or amplifiers that need more drive, while the lowest setting helps with high-output digital players or sensitive power amplifiers. Its high input impedance places little load on sources, and the low output impedance suits power amplifiers with conventional input impedance.

Alternatives

The Phasemation CM-2200 Control Meister is the higher passive preamplifier, with a rear 0 or +6 dB gain switch and Furutech rhodium-plated terminals.