Description
A true command center for your hifi system
The new PX-1 preamplifier sets an absolute benchmark. Judge for yourself:
Designed around two monophonic preamplifiers housed in a single cabinet, our Px1 stereo preamplifier can be described as a true dual mono, with two EI-type transformers, shielded by mumetal plates - an expensive but highly effective solution.
The PX-1 is the "nerve center" of your hi-fi system. Even if sound quality was our first priority, we wanted our preamplifier to be suitable for all current sources, analog, digital, dematerialized or physical.
Nothing has been overlooked, and every input has been fine-tuned with the ultimate aim of achieving the highest level of musical reproduction. The PX-1 features nine analog inputs, including a balanced input and a dual-level MM or MC phono input. The phono cell capacitance can also be adjusted. On the digital side, the PX-1 has three digital optical inputs, a coaxial digital input, a USB B input (asynchronous XMOS) and a USB A input. Digital signal conversion is handled by the famous Wolfson WM8740 converter.
These digital inputs are complemented by a proprietary port allowing you to connect the Bluetooth X-FTB01 and X-FTB02.
Signal processing is as direct (direct path) as possible, so that its original quality is not altered. The PX-1's interactive menu offers two operating modes: "Class A" or discrete. The "Class A" output is based on a bipolar transistor-only circuit, in a "double cascode" arrangement, offering a performance in terms of distortion gradation close to that of a tube arrangement, and therefore very homogeneous and polarized in Class A, the "discrete" output is a stage based on a more classical typology of a differential JFET input stage and bipolar current mirror, with a Class AB biased output, more prone to odd harmonic distortion, sometimes less appreciated "by ear", but sometimes also felt to be more defined.
Operation of the PX-1 is particularly easy, thanks to a single rotary knob with pushbutton for choice validation, providing access to input selection, volume adjustments, bass and treble tones, balance, loudness, and deactivation of automatic shutdown after 30 minutes of inactivity. Finally, on the output side, your PX-1 is just as complete as on the input side: one balanced (XLR), one unbalanced (Cinch), one recording (Rec Out), one high-pass output and two sub-bass outputs.
Last but not least, the designers have not forgotten headphone aficionados by integrating, under the unit, a double independent adjustment for two headphones of gain +6,0,-4dB and output impedance 0 or 100Ω.