Предусилители — Audionet PRE I G3

The PRE I G3 is the third generation of Audionet's compact preamplifier, from the Berlin company whose electronics are designed and built in Germany. Alongside the line stage, it offers headphone listening, two subwoofer feeds and a home cinema bypass, and it can be upgraded with Audionet's phono board, so it covers most analogue connection needs in one chassis.

Key specs that matter

There are six inputs, one balanced XLR and five RCA. Input impedance is 15 kohm balanced and 82 kohm unbalanced. Outputs include one XLR and two RCA pairs for power amplifiers, with output impedance of 47 ohms balanced and 22 ohms unbalanced. Maximum output is 16 dBu balanced and 8 dBu unbalanced. Frequency response extends from DC to 3 MHz and signal-to-noise is 120 dB. Two subwoofer outputs, a headphone output, a monitor loop and a trigger output are also fitted.

Engineering and use context

The digital control section has its own power supply and is physically and electrically separated from the analogue circuit, so the microprocessor and display do not add noise to the signal path. The software allows the two subwoofer outputs to run either as separate left and right feeds for two subwoofers or as a summed mono signal for one. The headphone output can be switched on and off electronically, and the home cinema mode passes a surround processor's front channels straight through at fixed gain. Six sources, two power amplifiers and a recorder can be connected at once, and the monitor loop lets the recorder be heard without interrupting the recording. Inputs can be named and their sensitivity offset for sources of different output level. Mains phase is detected automatically, two Audionet Links switch other Audionet units on and off, and an additional ground terminal is provided. A two-line display shows system status. The EPS G2 external power supply is offered as an upgrade, moving the mains transformer out of the preamplifier chassis.

Pairing

The low output impedances drive any power amplifier over normal cable lengths. With the optional phono board, a turntable connects directly, and the dual subwoofer outputs support a 2.2 system. Headphone listening needs no extra box on the rack, and Audionet's own power amplifiers, which accept Audionet Link, are its natural partners.

Alternatives

Audionet's PRE G2 is the reference preamplifier with double-mono construction and two balanced outputs.