Q-tron Audio PRE14B Vacuum Tube High-End OTL Preamplifier
Product code:Q-tron Audio PRE14B Vacuum Tube High-End OTL Preamplifier
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Pursuing transparency, speed, and quietness
High-end OTL preamplifier with transformerless design
The PRE14B is a high-end preamplifier with an all-vacuum-tube, OTL (Output Transformer Less) configuration, designed to deliver the music signal exactly as it is, without any coloration or distortion.
The amplification stage uses ECC82 and 6N6Pi tubes, with all stages composed solely of vacuum tubes for a thoroughly pure design. By completely eliminating semiconductors, output transformers, and chokes, it achieves both the natural texture of vacuum tubes and the clean, fast response unique to OTL designs.
Equipped with four input channels, plus balanced input/output (XLR). Volume and input switching can be controlled via remote, providing practical functionality and high precision as a luxury preamplifier.
64-Step High-Precision Attenuator – Changing volume without affecting the sound
The 64-step relay-type attenuator built into the PRE14B symbolizes Q-tron's design philosophy. It allows precise 1 dB increment control over the volume while maintaining extremely accurate left-right channel balance at any setting, eliminating any audio image fluctuation or coloration. The relay switching with gold-plated contacts is highly resistant to aging, preventing any degradation in sound quality, which is a major advantage.
Achieving a sensation where the volume seems to move quietly without sacrificing the texture of the music – the PRE14B's quietness and transparency are largely supported by this attenuator.
100% Vacuum Tube OTL Configuration – Pure signal path delivers overwhelming transparency
The PRE14B adopts a complete OTL design, with all amplification stages consisting solely of vacuum tubes.
Output impedance is 300Ω, distortion rate is less than 0.001% at 1 kHz/1V output, and frequency response is 5 Hz–100 kHz (-1 dB).
This wide-range, low-distortion characteristic brings out fast attack, harmonic richness, and abundant information, creating a natural soundstage without coloration.
Rich texture unique to vacuum tubes combined with the direct sensation characteristic of OTL.
This is a preamplifier that truly pursues "purity of sound" by combining both at a high level.
Stabilized power supply and robust housing support quietness
A highly stabilized power supply is used for the anode power supply and heater, suppressing hum noise and fluctuations caused by the power supply to an extremely low level.
The internal structure is properly divided by three high-quality PCBs, and the case is made of a 10mm thick machined aluminum chassis. It completely blocks out unnecessary vibrations and achieves a quietness that blends into the space.
PA12B / PA34B and Perfectly harmonious sound quality design
PRE14B can be combined with Q-tron's proud OTL power amplifiers, PA12B and PA34B, to maximize their transparency, low distortion, and wideband characteristics.
For high-level power amplifiers, a preamplifier that maintains signal purity at the same level is essential - the PRE14B is designed for exactly that purpose.
Of course, it also exhibits excellent compatibility with high-resolution power amplifiers from other brands, greatly improving the transparency and quietness of the entire system.
Purity, silence, and precision---the state of "colorless and transparent" demonstrated by PRE14B
The width of the sound field, the beauty of overtones, the sense of speed, and the quietness──
All of this harmonizes at a high level and depicts the essence of the music without muddying it.
Sound as it is, as beautiful as it is.
PRE14B is a pure OTL preamplifier created for listeners aiming for just that.
| vacuum tube | ECC82 x2, 6N6Pi x4 |
|---|---|
| gain | 12 dB (4x) |
| channel balance | Within ±0.05dB |
| input impedance | 40kΩ |
| Output impedance | 300Ω |
| Harmonic distortion (THD) | At 1kHz, 1V output < 0.001% |
| Frequency characteristics | 5Hz ~ 100kHz (-1dB) |
| hum and noise | At 1V output < -100dBA |
| volume control | 64 steps |
| input terminal | 2 gold-plated phono systems, 2 balanced XLR systems |
| Output terminal | 1 gold-plated phono system, 1 balanced XLR system |
| Dimensions | 430 x 110 x 370 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 11.5 kg |
The preamplifier has a rather elaborate design. On the front panel, there is only a power switch on the left, a knob in the shape of Mount Fuji with a narrow tip in the center, and a small display window to its right. This custom-made knob is shared between the volume and input selection switches. The volume has a 64-step attenuator, and the input is selected sequentially from the four inputs by pressing the knob. Both the selected input and volume level are displayed on the panel next to the knob. There are two balanced and two unbalanced inputs. Additionally, both unbalanced and balanced outputs are provided. It is difficult to describe the sound quality of the preamp, but it has a solid feel; even at fortissimo, the upper range is not suppressed at all. Furthermore, even with complex sounds, each note remains stable without any wobble, demonstrating that it performs fully as a high-end device. It is a preamplifier that brilliantly shatters the preconceived notion of 'a good amp should be like this.' It taught me that there are still things in the world I do not know. *See 'Radio Technology.'
