Lehmann Audio Black Cube II
Compact phono preamplifier from Lehmann Audio, compatible with MM and MC cartridges, with adjustable gain and input impedance according to the cartridge used.
Description
The Black Cube II is a phono preamplifier designed to amplify and correct the signal from a turntable cartridge, before it enters an amplifier or line preamplifier. It belongs to the Black Cube family from Lehmann Audio, with a casing and connectors carried over from the SE II version.
The passive RIAA circuit is built with polypropylene film capacitors, placed between two linear gain stages, to reproduce the phono correction curve with precision. Gain is adjustable across four values (36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB) and input impedance across three positions (47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms), allowing the unit to be adapted to both MM and MC cartridges. A bass filter offers sixteen settings between 7 Hz and around 90 Hz to adjust the bass response according to the system. Each channel also has a slot for solderless fitting of a custom impedance resistor, with a complementary wire slot for immediate effect. The non-magnetic aluminium casing is damped under the lid, and the double-sided audio board, combined with dedicated subsections for hum and noise suppression, aims for stable and quiet reproduction.
This preamplifier is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts with an MM or MC cartridge who wish to precisely fine-tune the behaviour of their phono chain, whether through gain adjustment, impedance, or the bass filter.
Technical specifications
| Signal to noise ratio (unweighted RMS) MM | 3.8 mV/1 kHz |
| Signal to noise ratio (unweighted RMS) MC | 0.38 mV/1 kHz |
| Signal to noise ratio MM | 71 dB |
| Signal to noise ratio MC | 63 dB |
| Gain | 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB |
| Gain MM | 46 dB |
| Gain MC | 66 dB |
| Maximum input level MM | 45 mV |
| Maximum input level MC | 4.5 mV |
| Channel separation | > 85 dB at 10 kHz |
| Input impedance | 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms |
| Output impedance | 47 ohms |
| Input capacitance | 100 pF |
| Channel imbalance | typ. 0.5 dB |
| Bass filter | 16 settings between 7 Hz and approx. 90 Hz |
| Output level sensitivity | 775 mV / 0 dB |
| Audio section dimensions (W x D x H) | 114 x 124 x 50 mm |
| Power supply weight | 0.3 kg |
| Audio section weight (power cable included) | 0.65 kg |
What to check before buying used
With this type of phono preamplifier, it is worth checking that the RCA connectors and earthing are functioning correctly, as well as the condition of the dedicated external power supply. Checking the internal gain and impedance settings helps confirm they match either the original position or the one desired for the cartridge in use. The absence of hum or background noise during listening is also a good indicator of the condition of the capacitors and internal electronics.
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