ELAC Alchemy PPA-2 Phono Preamplifier

The Alchemy PPA-2 is a brand new, from-the-ground up MM/MC phono preamplifier from the wizards on ELAC’s design team – led by the legendary designer Peter Madnick of Audio Alchemy and Constellation Audio fame. So you just know it has to be an outstanding product with performance way above its price point. The PPA-2 a full-featured phono preamp that uses all-analog, discrete FET gain and EQ stages to transform microscopic grooves in vinyl into stunningly lifelike music. Fully configurable, the PPA-2 can be tailored to specific cartridge requirements, with switchable gain for each input, MC cartridge loading, and stereo or mono operation. A selection of RCA or XLR inputs and outputs adds even more flexibility to the most versatile phono preamp in its class. It even has a Liquid Crystal Display to let you keep track of cartridge parameters, and other information. The microcontroller completely shuts down during normal operation to eliminate any clocking noises. For the uncompromising sound quality you would expect from Alchemy gear, the PPA-2 boasts fully discrete, balanced FET topology from input to output, with a DC servo-controlled output stage. It achieves highly precise RIAA equalization using 0.1% metal film resistors and selected metalized polypropylene capacitors. All signal routing is conducted through hermetically sealed gold-on-gold relays. The PPA-2 has the configurability to excel with just about every phono cartridge on the planet. Controls include switchable MM or MC gain for each channel and MC loading that’s continuously adjustable from 5 Ohms to 999 Ohms. The precise MC cartridge loading settings for each input can be displayed on the LCD information screen to remind you which settings you’re using. Other features include selectable stereo or mono operation, a switchable rumble filter, and a 12-volt trigger input.

• Fully discrete, balanced FET topology from input to output, DC servo-controlled output stage
• Switchable MM or MC gain for each input, Precise MC cartridge loading settings for each input can be displayed on the LCD information screen
• Selectable Stereo or Mono operation, Highly precise RIAA equalization using 0.1% metal film resistors and selected metalized polypropylene capacitors
• Internally shielded toroidal transformer and linear power supply for very low radiated hum field, Provides an improved power source for the Miracord 70 and 90 turntable motor
• Inputs: (2) RCA unbalanced or (1) RCA and (1) XLR balanced, Frequency response: 10hz-20khz +/- 0.2dB, Dimensions (HxWxD): 2" x 17.5" x 15" including jacks