Предусилители — Primare PRE35 Prisma

The PRE35 Prisma from Primare is a fully balanced stereo preamplifier supplied with the DM36 converter module and the Prisma network player installed, turning the modular PRE35 chassis into a complete digital and analogue control centre. It is sold in black or titanium at a listed EUR 4,400, and also provides a wireless output for WiSA speakers.

Key specs that matter

The PRE35 Prisma accepts two XLR pairs with 30 kOhm impedance and three RCA pairs at 15 kOhm. Digital connections include four Toslink and two coaxial inputs up to 192 kHz and 24 bit, a USB-A port reaching 192 kHz and DSD128, and a USB-B input accepting up to 768 kHz and 32 bit or DSD256. Outputs are two XLR preamplifier pairs at 380 ohm, one RCA preamplifier pair and one fixed-level RCA line pair at 100 ohm, a coaxial digital output selectable at 48 or 96 kHz for the analogue inputs, and stereo WiSA wireless transmission. Primare quotes a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, THD plus noise below 0.002 percent and better than 100 dB signal to noise measured with an AES17 filter. Gain is 16.5 dB at the preamplifier outputs and 0 dB at the line output. The chassis measures 430 x 106 x 420 mm.

Engineering and use context

The DM36 board uses an ESS ES9068A converter with full MQA processing and optional upsampling of 44.1 and 48 kHz material to 88.2 and 96 kHz. The network side carries a built-in two-port Ethernet switch and dual-band WiFi on 2.4 and 5 GHz through two antennas, and supports Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in and DLNA or UPnP. Volume runs in steps from 0 to 99, with an adjustable maximum level and a mute setting selectable between 0 and 30. For system control the package includes the C25 remote, an RS232 input, an IR in and out pair and a trigger output. Power draw is below 0.3 W in ECO standby, below 5 W in normal standby and 37 W to 50 W in operation.

Pairing

Both XLR output pairs are active at once, so a stereo power amplifier and a subwoofer with balanced inputs can be connected together, while the WiSA output allows wireless active speakers that support the standard to be fed without cables. The fixed line output serves a recorder or headphone amplifier, and the coaxial digital output lets analogue sources such as a turntable stage be passed to a digital recorder.

Alternatives

The Primare SC15 Prisma is a preamplifier and network player from the more compact 15 series, built around an ESS ES9028Q2M converter.