Purist : Our Reference Preamplifier

User Manual  |  Specifications

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No Nonsense, Ultra Precision Preamplifier

The Purist is an extremely accurate, very low noise, easy to use line level audio controller. Its elegant circuit topology and top of the line electronic components give the Purist its exceptional state-of-the-art high-end performance.

Much attention has been paid to every electronic component used in the Purist. Every component has passed many lab tests, computer simulations and listening auditions. We believe we have picked some of the finest electronic components available which the LLC-Ps performance seems to confirm.

Gain is controlled from the front panel and should be used only as required. Keeping the gain to a minimum allows the Purist to achieve the best SNR possible and optimizes the systems performance.

The gold plated custom Swiss-made rotary volume control switch is very smooth and easy to turn. The volume control is a "ladder" resistive step attenuator. Only two resistors are in the signal path at any one time. Low noise (-144 dB) precision metal film resistors are used, 96 resistors are needed to build one volume control.

To maintain short signal paths with a minimum of wires special relays are used for audio signal switching. High tech telecommunications relays from Japan have been selected for the job. All contacts are gold clad silver and signal levels as low as 10 uA@ 10 mV are easily accommodated for superb low level music detail.

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Built-in system level diagnostics offer "PN" an easy to use pink noise generator that can aid in system setup, room setup, component evaluation, speaker placement, driver level adjustments (AXO systems), and "Mute" an easy to use system level noise troubleshooting tool. Both tools are easily accessed from the front panel.

Using the built-in diagnostic features you can learn many things about your systems components, cables, speakers and listening room acoustics. Pink noise can be indispensable for comparison testing, setting up a system, placing speakers, tuning the listening room, or just doing an occasional quick performance check. The noise troubleshooting tool helps locate component internal noise and helps solve ground loop hum problems. Your system becomes easier to understand and more manageable through the many changes audiophiles often make using these fast and easy to use diagnostic features.

Driving any amplifier with extreme accuracy and authority using a minimum of components and plenty of design integrity is what the Purist line level controller is all about. The Purist is elegantly simple and is as close to a straight wire with gain as we have been able to get, a truly transparent device.

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Enough Technical Stuff... How Does it Sound?

Good question and the answer is as it should be, it doesn't have its own specific sound. If the Purist did have an obvious sonic signature it would be a failure of our design.

Every system we auditioned the Purist in has been improved but, no common voicing has been obvious in any of these systems. Each system has exhibited improved transparency, dynamics, and detail along with reduced system noise.

The LLC-P simply allows the source and the loudspeakers to come together the way they should.

Purist Features