Q-tron Audio PRE14B High-End OTL Preamplifier for Vacuum Tubes
Product code:Q-tron Audio PRE14B High-End OTL Preamplifier for Vacuum Tubes
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Q-TRON Audio products are scheduled to undergo a price revision (approximately 20~25% increase) starting September 10.
The current price was set based on "1 euro = about 150 yen," but since the yen is now depreciating to about 185 yen, we are revising the price.
Orders placed by Wednesday, September 9, 18:00 will be accepted at the current price, limited to one unit per model. Once the limited number of vehicles is reached, registration will close even before the deadline. Made to order, with a delivery time of about 55 days.
Pursuing transparency, speed, and quietness
High-end OTL preamplifier with transformerless design
The PRE14B is a high-end preamplifier with an all-tube OTL (Output Transformer Less) configuration, designed to deliver the input music signal as it is, without any muddiness.
The amplification stage uses ECC82 and 6N6Pi, with a thoroughly pure design consisting entirely of vacuum tubes. By completely eliminating semiconductors, output transformers, and choke, it achieves both the original texture of vacuum tubes and the clean, fast-paced responsiveness unique to OTL.
In addition to four input channels, it is equipped with balanced input/output (XLR). Volume and input switching can be controlled with a remote control, offering practicality and precision as a high-end preamplifier.
64-Step: High-Precision Attenuator—Change Volume Without Exposure to Sound
The 64-step relay-type attenuator installed in the PRE14B is a component that symbolizes Q-tron's design philosophy. With precise volume control in 1dB increments, the left and right channel balance is maintained with extreme accuracy at any position, resulting in no image fluctuation or coloring. The relay switching at the gold-plated contacts is highly resistant to aging and does not degrade in sound quality, which is a major attraction.
The PRE14B's silence and transparency are greatly supported by this attenuator, delivering a sensation as if only the volume moves quietly without compromising the quality of the music.
100% OTL Tube Construction—Overwhelming Transparency Created by Pure Signal Paths
The PRE14B adopts a complete OTL design with all amplification stages consisting only of vacuum tubes.
Output impedance is 300 Ω, strain rate is less than 0.001% at 1kHz and 1V output, frequency characteristic is 5Hz to 100kHz (-1dB).
Wide range and low distortion characteristics of soundfast transient responseIt draws out the elongation of overtones and the amount of information as it is, forming a natural sound field without coloring.
A rich texture unique to vacuum tubes and a direct feeling unique to OTL.
It is a preamplifier that pursues "purity of sound" that fuses both in high dimensions.
Stable power supply and robust housing to support static loneliness
The anode power supply and heater adopt a highly stabilized power supply to suppress ham noise and power source fluctuations to extremely low levels.
The internal structure is properly divided by three high-quality PCBs, and the housing adopts a 10mm thick aluminum shaving chassis. It thoroughly blocks unnecessary vibrations and realizes silence that blends into space.
PA12B / PA34B と Sound quality design that perfectly harmonizes
The PRE14B, combined with Q-tron's OTL power amplifier, PA12B and PA34B, maximizes the transparency, low distortion, and broadband characteristics they possess.
For high-level power amplifiers, a preamplifier that maintains the purity of the signal in the same dimension is indispensable - PRE14B is exactly the design to do so.
Of course, it is excellent compatibility with other brands' high-resolution power amplifiers, greatly improving the transparency and silence of the entire system.
Purity, Silence, Precision - PRE14B's "Colorless Transparency"
The size of the sound field, the beauty of overtones, the sense of speed, the tranquility -
All of them harmonize at a high level, drawing the essence of music without turbulence.
The sound as it is, with the beauty as it is.
PRE14B is a pure OTL preamplifier born for listeners who aim for it.
| Vacuum Tube | ECC82 x2, 6N6Pi x4 |
|---|---|
| Gain | 12dB (4x) |
| Channel Balance | Within ± 0.05dB |
| Input Impedance | 40kΩ |
| Output Impedance | 300Ω |
| Harmonic Distortion (THD) | At 1kHz, 1V output < 0.001% |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz ~ 100kHz (-1dB) |
| Hum and Noise | At 1V output < -100dBA |
| Volume Control | 64 Steps |
| Input Terminals | 2 gold-plated phono, 2 balanced XLR |
| Output Terminals | 1 gold-plated phono, 1 balanced XLR |
| Dimensions | 430 x 110 x 370 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 11.5kg |
The preamp has a rather elaborate design, with only a power switch on the left of the front panel, a knob in the shape of Mount Fuji with the tip narrowed in the center, and a small display window to the right. This custom-made knob is shared for the volume and input selection switch. The volume has a 64-step attenuator, and the input switching is done sequentially from 4 inputs by pressing it. Both the selected input or volume level is displayed on the panel next to the knob. There are two balanced and two unbalanced inputs. Additionally, both unbalanced and balanced outputs are available. It is difficult to describe the sound quality of the preamp, but the sound has a solid feel, and even at fortissimo, there is no sense of the upper range being suppressed. Also, even for complex sounds, each note remains stable without fluctuation, and I felt that it has sufficient performance as a high-end device. It was an amplifier that brilliantly broke my preconceived notion of 'this is what a good amp should be.' It taught me that there are still things in the world I do not know. *See 'Radio Technology'
