£7,750

Passion Pre550A

There is a definite warmth of presentation, a fuller lower midrange sets up the YBA’s sonic texture. The sound is based on proximity and immediacy. What sounds the most beautiful is the instruments and vocals located in the middle of the frequency range. Yet this occurs without limiting everything to just the midrange. The treble has an open, strong character, with plenty of energy corresponding to the higher registers of the vibraphone, drum cymbals, etc. Several things distinguish the PRE550A from other digital/analog preamps. It is possible to turn off the digital section when playing an analogue source.

There is a wide choice of digital inputs — I2 S (RJ45), AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (TosLink, coaxial, BNC), and USB – plus there is a network input (RJ45) that accepts signals from a 10 or 100Mbps network. Built-in Apple AirPort Express support enables the PRE550A to work via a wireless AirPort Express network. It has a direct input for an Apple iPod or iPhone that bypasses the Apple’s internal DAC and uses only the PRE550A DAC. There’s also an S/PDIF output jack, should you want to send a digital signal to another component.

Specifications

Product typePreamplifier Audio
Audio Outputs2 RCA 1 Balanced 1 S/PDIF
Gain+6dB
SNR>105dB
Frequency Response20Hz – 20kHz (-0.5dB)
THD+N (20Hz - 20kHz)<0.003%
Inputs7 Digital Signal Inputs 2 RCA Analog Signal Inputs 1 Balanced Analog Signal Input
AirplayYES
DACDual Cirrus Logic High Performance 24bit/192kHz
DisplayOLED
Display BrightnessAdjustable from remote
Power Supply2 Linear power supplies with high performance transformer 190VA
Color / FinishNatural aluminium
Dimensions (w x d x h)430 x 412 x 118mm
Weight12.5 kg