Page 4 - PR_HP700_MRE220_AUDIO_2021_10_EN

Amplifiers › PRE-POWER COMBI

RCA sockets. The MC module with ac- wind their low-noise, low-distortion PORTRAIT POWER AMP
tive voltage gain delivered by carefully gourmet transformers themselves using OcTAvE
selected OP amps costs 599 euros, a special soft-annealed copper. MRE 220
both with RCA and XLR sockets, ano- Physically these converters act both Distributor Octave
ther RIAA board is not required. The as amp- and speaker-saving high-pass www. Tel. +49 (0)7248 3278
octave.de
balanced XLR input does make sense if filters which block subsonic noise from List price 19,995 EUR / pair
the turntable has appropriate signal bumpy records or unwanted tonearm/ Warranty period 2 years (3 years w. registr.)
49 x 23 x 42 cm
Maße B x H x T
cables – an MC system is the only true pickup resonances. This topic is pretty Weight (19.3 x 9.1 x 16.5 in.) each
29.8 kg (65.8 lbs) / pc.
balanced source in high fidelity. complex which is why AUDIO will dedi- cONNEcTIONS
cate a „knowledge“ page to it in the Inputs RCA / XLR •/•
PREcISE FULFILLMENT next issue. Level control –
1
Speaker outputs
For particularly soft and/or low-impe- Since Octave’s CEO Andreas Hof- Selectable impedance –
dance representatives of this kind Octa- mann and his bustling sales and Bias control / Ground Lift •/•
Connection for Super
Special features
ve offers a tidbit: the MC step-up trans- mar¬keting manager Thomas Brieger Black Box
former – optionally with RCA or XLR in- knew about the author’s passion for vi- AUDIOgRAM 10/2021
puts – doesn’t actively amplify the tiny nyl, they brought the HP 700 SE ade-
voltages of the moving coils, but lifts quately loaded to the editorial offices. Åpunchy, transparent, Í–
fast, reliable
them up to MM level by transforming the Fortunately the Tho¬rens TD 124 DD Sound RCA / XLR 140 / 140 (w. Super Black Box)
impedance from a few ohms to 47 kilo- (9/21) was still on the site whose SPU Features satisfactory
Operation
superb
ohms. Perhaps trivial reading, but already 124 pickup was modeled on the legen- Workmanship superb
the very fine art of phono culture. Octave dary Ortofon SPU and, despite an incre- SOUND vERDIcT 140 POINTS
has managed to design the converters PRIcE/PERFORMANcE HIGH-END, SUPERB
with three switchable gain stages also
metrologically in an exemplary manner 10/21
(see lab box). Of course, the Karlsbaders OPtIOn 3: The MRE 220 can boost its HIGHLIGHT
power supply via (Super)Black Box (center
connection). The ground lift between XLR
and RCA In can remedy hum troubles.

MEASURInG LAB

The MRE 220 is also very broadband (left
diagram) and low-noise (104 dBs at RCA
2V < 10V, 8 ohms). Equally impressive for a
tube power amp is the high stability (right).
150 watts RMS into 8 ohms and 153 W
RMS (PMPO 180/234 W) into 4 ohms give
a clear statement, into 2 ohms we still have
112 W of PMPO. With the (Super)Black
Box the specs remain the same which indi-
cates a good serial power supply.

www.audio.de ›10 /2021 49