Κώστας Φ.
Truth hurts. Here's a teddy bear.
- Μηνύματα
- 8.978
- Reaction score
- 895
World premiere απο το enjoythemusic.com.
"Audio equipment from China is popping up more and more frequently these days on this side of the big Pacific pond. One marque that has been around for quite a while before this trend got started is Antique Sound Lab (ASL). This Hong Kong-based outfit produces an extensive line of tube gear, including many varieties of single-ended triode and push-pull power amplifiers, preamplifiers and headphone amplifiers. ASL has a multifaceted manufacturing operation, ranging from transformer winding to powder coating, all accomplished in-house. The Flora EX DT is the most sonically ambitious preamplifier I have seen from ASL, and one of the more original in concept to come from any manufacturer. As you will see, its unusual user interface reflects the company's emphasis on purity and simplicity of the audio signal path.
Those black boxes account for much of the unit's weight, and are key to what differentiates the Flora from most preamplifiers: i.e., multiple transformers. The Flora has no resistors in the signal path, and I have already noted the absence of any type of potentiometer volume control. Instead, this preamplifier has an autoformer/switch-based input stage, complemented by its transformer-coupled output stage. What remains is a simple and elegant single triode gain stage with a precisely regulated (ASL dubs it "constant current") power supply. This very effective approach does produce a slightly odd effect that should be noted. As playback level is raised or lowered, different taps on the autoformer are physically contacted and switched on or off, producing a soft but distinctly audible "rubbing" sound. I quickly got used to the sound (it is not loud), and I eventually even found it rather endearing. But I hear that some listeners are bothered by it. Judge for yourself.
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Conclusions And Recommendations
The $2.5K to $4K price range encompasses numerous excellent preamplifiers, and I certainly haven't heard them all. But I think I have to put the Flora at the top of my personal heap in this bracket, slightly outpointing the excellent Modwright SWL 9.0SE. I especially applaud the decision by ASL and Divergent Technologies to go back and add a remote phase/polarity flip capability, which was not offered on the initial release. I realize that many readers don't seem to care about or even be able to differentiate proper electrical polarity. But for those who can hear it, this feature adds even greater value at the Flora's bargain $3,000 price tag. The answer to my perpetual question about any reviewed component "Could I be happy long-term with this piece in my system?" is a resounding yes. Just don't forget to upgrade those tubes."
Full Review
Specifications
Type: vacuum tube stereo preamplifier
Frequency Response: 18Hz to 44kHz (+/-1dB)
Tube Complement: two 6SN7
Inputs: 4 sets single-ended RCA
Outputs: 2 sets single-ended RCA, one set balanced XLR
Polarity: inverted
Input impedance: 100k ohms
Input sensitivity: 700 mV
Output impedance: 600 ohms
Output: 5 volts
S/N Ratio: 84dB
Gain: 9.3 dB
THD: 0.2% @ 1.0 volt output
Dimensions: 14 x 15 x 6. (WxDxH in inches)
Weight: 35 lbs. (17kg)
Warranty: 1 year parts & labor; 5 years parts; 90 days tubes
Price: $3,000
