Several things distinguish the PRE550A from other digital/analog preamps. It is possible to turn off the digital section when playing an analogue source. The analog section has three inputs — one balanced (XLR), one unbalanced (RCA), and one video pass-through (RCA). There are two sets of RCA outputs and one set of XLRs.
There is a wide choice of digital inputs — I2 S (RJ45), AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (TosLink, coaxial, BNC), and USB – plus there is a network input (RJ45) that accepts signals from a 10 or 100Mbps network. Built-in Apple AirPort Express support enables the PRE550A to work via a wireless AirPort Express network. It has a direct input for an Apple iPod or iPhone that bypasses the Apple’s internal DAC and uses only the PRE550A DAC. There’s also an S/PDIF output jack, should you want to send a digital signal to another component.
The asynchronous USB 2.0 connection for a computer requires a driver if you’re running Windows, but not with a Mac or Linux computer.
| Product type |
Preamplifier
|
|---|
| Audio Outputs |
2 RCA 1 Balanced 1 S/PDIF
|
|---|
| Gain |
+6dB
|
|---|
| SNR |
>105dB
|
|---|
| Frequency Response |
20Hz – 20kHz (-0.5dB)
|
|---|
| THD+N (20Hz - 20kHz) |
<0.003%
|
|---|
| Inputs |
7 Digital Signal Inputs
2 RCA Analog Signal Inputs
1 Balanced Analog Signal Input
1 Balanced Input (Mono)
|
|---|
| Airplay |
YES
|
|---|
| DAC |
Dual Cirrus Logic High Performance 24bit/192kHz
|
|---|
| Display |
OLED
|
|---|
| Display Brightness |
Adjustable from remote
|
|---|
| Power Supply |
2 Linear power supplies with high performance
transformer 190VA
|
|---|
| Color / Finish |
Natural aluminium
|
|---|
| Dimensions (w x d x h) |
430 x 412 x 118mm
|
|---|
| Weight |
12.5 kg
|
|---|
