Предусилители — Vitus Audio RL-102

The RL-102 is the line stage preamplifier of the Reference Series from Vitus Audio in Denmark. Vitus positions it as the next step for owners moving from an integrated amplifier to separate pre and power units, and it is built on a modular platform so that later upgrades can be fitted inside the existing case. Its Reference Series companions are the RS-101 stereo power amplifier, the RD-101 Mk.II converter, the RP-102 phono stage and the RI-101 Mk.II integrated amplifier.

Key specs that matter

Five analogue sources can be connected, three through XLR sockets and two through RCA sockets. On the output side the unit offers a main XLR pair, a secondary XLR pair and one RCA pair, so more than one amplifier can be connected. Input sensitivity can be set to 2, 4 or 8 V RMS, input impedance is 10 kohm and output impedance is 80 ohm. The volume range spans -80 dB to +12 dB in 1 dB steps. Vitus quotes a response past 800 kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 110 dB at 1 kHz and THD plus noise below 0.01 percent. The aluminium case is 435 mm wide, 103 mm high and 396 mm deep and weighs 11.5 kg. Consumption is 30 W in operation and less than 1 W in standby.

Engineering and use context

Volume is controlled by a resistor network switched with relays, not by a potentiometer or a volume chip. Through a programmable menu the owner adjusts the gain of each input, a voltage offset, the usable volume range and the brightness of the display. Because these values can be stored separately for every input, a professional source with a hot balanced output and a consumer player with a lower RCA level can be brought to similar volume positions. The fascia carries an LED display flanked by two columns of three push buttons. A basic Apple remote is supplied, and a higher-grade handset can be bought separately. Buyers can order white, black or silver at the standard price, or pay extra for Titanium Orange, Dark Champagne or Titanium Grey.

Pairing

Vitus names the RS-101 stereo power amplifier as the intended partner, and the two share the Reference Series look. A second stereo power amplifier can take its signal from the extra balanced output pair. The same front panel size as the RD-101 Mk.II converter lets the two units stack as a matched source and control pair.

Alternatives

The Vitus Audio SL-103 is the line stage of the Signature Series, sold alongside the SS-103 stereo power amplifier.