Elevator EXP Step-Up Amplifier (supplied with PSU1 uni-polar power supply)
The Elevator EXP step-up preamplifier preamplifies the signal from a conventional output moving coil phono cartridge to moving magnet cartridge sensitivity. The signal is then fed to a moving magnet phono stage. Unlike a step up transformer hum cannot be induced into it, and it's far more linear making for a tighter bass response.
It's the electronic equivalent of a moving coil step up transformer (SUT). However, a step up transformer easily picks up hum and electrical disturbances — it also consumes some of the delicate signal current to magnetize its core. Because the bass output of an MC cartridge is much less than the mids and highs, the magnetising current losses are not very linear and that makes transformer design difficult — it's never going to perform at its best.
Enter the electronic solution - the Elevator EXP. It uses a technique from our Ultra-Linear "toolbox" which extends open-loop frequency response, something that's usually only available with tube amplification, but tubes can't do such low level signals. It's hardly surprising that it does "the tube sound", but without all the problems you get with tubes — it's an excellent addition to any tube phono preamp when you want to use a low output moving coil.
But use the Elevator EXP with one of our great moving magnet phono stages and you're in for a treat! We recommend you use it with our Reflex M, Revelation M or Era Gold V phono stages — and so do a number of reviewers.
The Elevator EXP also features 7 different preset cartridge load impedances easily selected on the front panel.
Shipping typically 1-3 days
