ASTOR AS-XP99GTS Tube Preamplifier

The AS-XP99GTS is the top-of-the-line preamplifier of Astro Electronics' AS-XP series. The chassis is made with a 2 mm thick 18-18 stainless steel mirror finish that is bent like the company's other products, and the 2 mm thick metal fittings are used, and the XP-type 2 mm thick mirror stainless steel plate is attached to all the parts used, which is remarkably effective in anti-vibration and noise countermeasures. This sturdy and beautiful mirror-finished casing alone costs nearly 200,000 yen.

The volume is a 2P2511 type gold-plated terminal type made by Tokyo Koon Dendo, and a semi-custom-made product made by Nichicon is used for the electrolytic block capacitor, making up a stable B power supply circuit. All parts are carefully selected and used with reliable parts, and each one is completely handmade and manufactured. The insulator is machined from a 50mm oxygen-free copper round bar and attached with young cowhide leather sandwiched between the bottom plate.

Astro Electronics' high-end preamps are attractive for their three-dimensional sound with an overwhelming sense of silence and a lively and dynamic feeling. The AS-XP99GTS further increases the clarity of each note, providing power and dynamics from a lower volume range. It has the characteristic of being able to reproduce the recorded sound field information faithfully as it is, with a frequency of 10Hz ~ 80kHz that can be played almost flat. It conveys the atmosphere and atmosphere of each unseasoned recorded sound source to the fullest, so you can fully enjoy the recording status and taste of CDs and records. The full-fledged built-in phono equalizer that does not cut corners is also one of the attractions.