Yamamoto Sound Craft CA-04 Tube type line level preamplifier
Product code: ca-04-1Yamamoto Sound Craft CA-04 Tube type line level preamplifier
Could not load the receipt status
Tube type line level preamplifier
6AK5W single non-feedback amplifier
High information content sound that is suitable for modern times. The hidden charm of vacuum tubes brought out by carefully selected parts and thorough anti-vibration structure
The CA-04 is a high-performance line-level vacuum tube preamplifier based on the company's award-winning model CA-03/CA-03L, with an independent line amplifier section and further refined details. Rather than inheriting old circuits and sounds, it was designed with the aim of bringing out the hidden charm of vacuum tubes and bringing out sounds with a large amount of information that are relevant today.
Thorough anti-vibration structure and beautiful casing
Vibration isolation with brass sub-chassis: In order to prevent the effects of vibration, which is a weak point in the structure of vacuum tubes, a strong brass sub-chassis is installed under the board. Bonding to the board at key points prevents vibration and contributes to improved sound quality.
- Strong chassis structure: The side panels are made of strong solid cherry wood and the frame structure is made of stainless steel fittings to create a strong and vibration-resistant chassis structure.
- Beautiful form: The front panel and side wood are made of domestic solid cherry wood, and the beautiful 2mm thick aluminum chassis creates a beautiful form. It has been designed to match the company's A-08 and A-09 power amplifiers in terms of design and sound quality.
carefully selectedHigh-FidelityAdoption of parts
- Adopting DALE products for resistors: Most of the resistors are made by American company DALE, which is highly rated for its excellent sound quality. It also boasts high reliability that complies with US MIL standards.
- Polypropylene capacitor in main part: A low-distortion polypropylene film capacitor is used for the main part of the capacitor. It has excellent response to pulsed signals and the distortion rate of the capacitor itself.
- Improved sound quality: Not only signal circuits but also power circuits have a great effect on sound quality, so they are used in many parts including power circuits.
- Special case: The condenser, which has a large effect on sound quality, is made of ebony and filled with epoxy resin to further improve sound quality.
High-Reliability Input/Output Terminals and Sockets
- Original Top-Grade Pin Jacks: For the input/output pin jacks, the company uses its original top-grade pin jacks featuring machined chrome copper for the external conductor, machined beryllium copper for the internal pins, and Teflon for the insulating material.
- Safe Construction: The design connects from the ground side and disconnects from the hot side, making it advantageous for safety.
- Non-Resonant Teflon Sockets: The vacuum tube sockets use the company's highly acclaimed non-resonant Teflon sockets, known both domestically and internationally. These sockets prevent vibration from affecting the socket, which greatly enhances the sound.
- High-Quality Power Cable: The power cable is a high-quality cable with a 3-pin inlet terminal. The plug uses National's hospital-grade plug with proprietary gold-plated pins. Because an inlet jack is used, the cable can be replaced with a preferred one.
Specifications
| Vacuum Tubes Used: | TTelefunken 6AK5W × 2 |
|---|---|
| Maximum Output: | 8V |
| Frequency Response: | 10-150kHz / -0.5dB |
| Input Impedance: | 50kΩ |
| Output Impedance: | 1.6kΩ |
| Line Amplifier Gain: | 16dB (approximately 6 times) |
| Residual Noise: | 0.07mV |
| Dimensions: | 420(W) × 290(D) × 94(H) mm |
| Weight: | 6.3kg |
Refined Sound Without Overemphasizing Tube Characteristics:
The CA-04 is not the type of tube preamp that emphasizes excessive warmth or richness as often expected. Its tonal quality is refined, aiming for natural, uncolored reproduction. The midrange is smooth, giving vocals and string instruments a pleasant and well-balanced texture with an outstanding listening comfort.
Quiet Background and High Transparency:
Thanks to careful design of the power supply and circuitry, the background is extremely quiet, leaving a memorable impression of excellent S/N ratio despite being tube-based. Sounds emerge naturally from silence, with subtle tones and reverberation extending gracefully. The sound contours remain clear without blurring, achieving highly transparent reproduction, a point consistently noted in professional reviews.
Natural Soundstage Representation and Imaging.
The soundstage expands naturally without feeling exaggerated, offering a sense of realism with depth and a wide spatial presence. The positioning of instruments and vocals is stable, giving the impression that the entire stage is calm and well-organized. Even with orchestras or ensembles, each part is less likely to blur together, allowing for clear and transparent playback.
Playback Focused on Texture Rather than Power
It is not the type that dynamically pushes sound forward, but the sound is dense and rich with information, so it does not feel lacking. The low frequencies do not swell excessively, showing a tendency to prioritize texture and definition over sheer volume. In jazz or chamber music, the nuances and timing of the performance are conveyed naturally.
Bringing Out the Character of Your System
The CA-04 itself is modest in expression, clearly bringing out the character of the connected power amplifier and source equipment. Despite being tube-based, it adds little coloration, serving as a preamplifier that helps maintain the overall balance of the system.
The CA-04 is a line-level preamplifier that leverages the smoothness and natural texture characteristic of vacuum tube preamps while eliminating excessive embellishment. It features a quiet background, high transparency, and stable soundstage representation, making it easy to enjoy music for long periods without fatigue. It is an ideal choice for users who want to elevate the overall performance of their audio system.
