{"product_id":"riv-aud-apl01se","title":"Riviera Audio APL01SE Class A Pre Amplifier","description":"\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTube Line Preamplifier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a lot of reason why the APL01-SE can be considered a very special\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign.\u003c\/strong\u003e The first point is that everything, in this design, is optimised for the pure musical result and not (only) for technical results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis optimisation has concerned many aspects, not just those that are usually considered: follow some examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe circuit.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is an All Tube, pure class A, Zero Feedback circuit. This circuit gives high technical performances and exceptional musical results. It is an SRPP of 6350\/6463 designed and optimised to achieve the aural shape of distortion that makes it absolutely transparent for the human ear, as we do in any other Riviera design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo other preamplifier circuit is designed for this goal. Speaking of distortion, pay attention: we do not try to add some nice sounding distortion, like someone does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur goal is an absolutely natural result. We do any effort to reduce the distortion as possible, but mostly we try to keep its shape closest to the human ears one. To achieve this goal we do not use feedback and optimize any detail, from the working point of the active devices to the best mix of passive components and much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe power supply\u003c\/strong\u003e. No switching PSU: it is a traditional and over-sized linear power supply, thanks to its over 200VA power transformer (just this detail is not usual in a preamplifier).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut this is not the point. The point is that also the power supply is designed for music; it makes use of unusual and very elegant solutions. In example the filter: it is a double-PI filter, using choke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe anodic power supply is regulated, but not by a standard series regulator: it is a parallel regulated power supply, with an original design. Overall there are 6 regulated power supplies in the preamplifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue Balanced Inputs are made using ultra high quality transformers, with mu-metal core and mu-metal shielding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe volume control.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a top quality TKD motorised potentiometer, with an internal LADDER configuration that makes this component different from any other on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is similar to the best switch solutions, but with the graduality and smoothness of a real potentiometer. It is elastically isolated from chassis to avoid transmitting vibration from the motor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe balance control.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is made by 2 separate potentiometers on the output, not on the input. This solution avoids the standard cascade of two potentiometers on the input (the volume pot and the balance pot), because in our opinion this implies an important degradation of the sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe (only) capacitor on the signal is not just a single component but is the mix of 3 different size caps using 3 different technologies, tuned by listening tests for the best result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe balanced output:\u003c\/strong\u003e it is made using custom, extremely high quality transformers. Since we believe that the result obtained is a reference result, we have used the transformers also in the unbalanced output. In this way we can ensure that the result of the balanced and unbalanced outputs is absolutely the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe chassis.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is our opinion that the mechanical behaviour of a device, especially a preamplifier, has an important influence on the musical result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is why we have paid extreme attention to mechanical construction of the preamp and this is another side of the optimisation we mentioned earlier. The APL01-SE weights over 25kg, 25kg of machined aluminium: we dont think we need to add anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we refer to listening test and optimisation, we mean that we do not try to maximise just ONE aspect of the result (maximum resolution, maximum dynamics, maximum impact, deepest low freq, maximum sharpness, maximum speed, maximum transient response and so on).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur research aims to give the best balance between all aspects, because every part is important in the music. When you maximise just one aspect, you will lose the balance, the harmony and then you will lose the music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur goal, with every Riviera product, is to give you the more natural music, like in a live concert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZero Feedback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePure Class A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll tube circuit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble PI-filter, solid state, stabilised power supply using a non-conventional circuit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Balanced Inputs (Transformer coupled)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Unbalanced Inputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Aux input\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTape Loop (IN\/OUT)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput transformers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 balanced line outputs + 2 unbalanced line outputs (for multi amplification purpose)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemote control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 44x49x19.5h cm. Weight: 30 Kg.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n","brand":"Riviera Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51938594324746,"sku":"RIVIERAAUD-8082","price":42420.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0917\/3283\/6618\/files\/riviera-audio-apl01se-class-a-pre-amplifier-40179-1-p.jpg?v=1760363533","url":"https:\/\/audioemotion.co.uk\/products\/riv-aud-apl01se","provider":"Audio Emotion Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}