Предусилители — Venture Audio VP200D

Venture Audio's VP200D combines a line preamplifier and a DAC in one case. The company, based in Singapore with Belgian roots, has been in business since 1986. The unit is also named VP 200DT. It was shown at TAVES 2016, at prices of about USD 60,000 to 68,000. Alongside it in the Venture range is the VP 100L line preamplifier without a DAC.

Key specs that matter

The VP200D has ten inputs in total, three balanced XLR, four RCA, two S/PDIF and one USB. The USB input accepts PCM at 32 bit from 44.1 to 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD256, and works with macOS, Linux through the UAC2 kernel driver and Windows XP to 10 through KS, WASAPI, WDM and ASIO drivers. The S/PDIF inputs accept PCM at 44.1 kHz and 24 bit. Volume runs from -66 dB to 0 dB, and balance can be set by ±3 dB. Maximum input level is 4.5 V. THD is below 0.01% at 600 ohm and 2 V, noise is below 5 µV, signal to noise ratio exceeds 110 dB and DC offset is below 0.5 mV. The preamplifier measures 483 mm wide, 440 mm deep and 170 mm high and weighs 16 kg.

Engineering and use context

Combining a line preamplifier with a DAC in one chassis lets the VP200D serve as the control centre for both analogue and digital sources without a separate converter. The three XLR inputs take balanced sources, while four RCA pairs handle unbalanced ones, so up to seven analogue components can stay connected at once. The USB input can also be shared between at least two computers or players. A computer connected over USB is treated as a standard audio device on current operating systems, with DSD256 available for native DSD files. The low DC offset means no significant DC reaches the following power amplifier. Distortion is specified into a demanding professional load, which shows the output stage can drive long cables and low-impedance inputs. Its width corresponds to the standard 19 inch rack format.

Pairing

Venture designed the VP200D to control its V200A+ power amplifier, which reaches full performance after a fifteen-minute warm-up. With its low noise floor and drive into low-impedance loads, it also suits power amplifiers from other makers.

Alternatives

The Venture Audio VP 100L is the line preamplifier from the same maker without the built-in DAC.