Предусилители — Absolare Eternum Pre

The Eternum Pre is an all-valve line preamplifier from Absolare USA LLC, the American company founded in 2008, and it heads the Eternum line above the Altius models. It was first shown in November 2022, announced on 2 June 2023 and presented at High End Munich 2023 alongside Rockport speakers. One press report gives a price of USD 85,000, and a Norwegian listing shows NOK 1,190,000.

Key specs that matter

The preamplifier is built in two chassis, one for the power supply and one for the signal circuits. It is offered with four RCA and four XLR inputs and two XLR outputs plus one RCA output, or as a two RCA and two XLR input version. Input impedance is 50 kOhm, output impedance is 750 ohm and maximum gain is 18 dB. Bandwidth is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.2 dB and 10 Hz to 45 kHz within 1 dB. The circuit uses four 12AU7 or ECC82 valves or equivalents. Each chassis measures about 38.2 x 52.6 x 14.8 cm, and a Norwegian retailer lists the signal chassis at 19 kg and the power supply at 25 kg.

Engineering and use context

The design is zero-feedback and fully balanced, in a dual-mono layout in which every channel is served by two dedicated preamplifiers, covering the two halves of the balanced signal. The circuit is fully symmetrical and wired point to point. Left and right are powered by separate supplies, with separately structured DC umbilicals running between the two chassis, and the power transformers and voltage regulators are oversized. Keeping the supply in its own case moves the transformers and their magnetic fields away from the valves and signal wiring. The balanced output is transformer-coupled, which gives a floating output that rejects noise common to both legs. Volume is set by a continuous carbon-strip attenuator with remote control. The signal path uses improved Duelund cast copper-silver capacitors, and the internal wiring is Echole Infinity alloy. The package includes 20 m of Echole Infinity interconnects and power cords, so the preamplifier arrives with a full set of cables. Press reports mention NOS Brimar valves. The two-chassis layout means the preamplifier needs two shelf positions, one of them for the heavier supply, and the umbilicals are long enough to place the chassis apart.

Pairing

The balanced outputs drive power amplifiers with XLR inputs, including Absolare's own valve amplifiers, and the two outputs allow bi-amping or a subwoofer.

Alternatives

The Absolare Preamplifier Altius 2 is the limited-edition model with Duelund CAST capacitors and an ALPS 500 attenuator in a solid bronze housing.