GOLD PRE ONE Preamplifier DIVALDI

DIVALDI GOLD PRE ONE is a fully balanced integrated audio preamplifier. It supports both analogue sources (including MM/MC turntables) and digital ones as well (S/PDIF, USB, and Bluetooth), making it the perfect centrepiece for a high-end audio system. GOLD PRE ONE was created as a complement to the GOLD series, providing a perfect match for our GOLD PA ONE power amplifier, but it also works great in combination with other power amplifiers.

Visually, the GOLD series devices are an evolution of the original design by the outstanding Polish designer Piotr Jagiełłowicz. Because there’s no need for huge power transformers, the housing is half the height of the GOLD PA ONE power amplifier (and the GOLD IN ONE integrated amplifier), while maintaining the same width, so our components also perfectly match visually.

To meet the expectations of our customers, we have created a fully modular design. A large, carefully designed base plate allows for an extensive expansion and personalization of the device. The GOLD PRE ONE is a preamplifier that is modern in its functionality, yet rooted in the best traditions of audio equipment design. It offers transparent, rich, and musical sound, making it an excellent addition to any advanced audio system.

Key features of GOLD PRE ONE:

• The base board contains several stages of separately stabilized power supplies for the digital and the analogue sections, for which a set of capacitors with a total capacity of approx. 30,000 µF was used in the first stage of the power supply. A rare but excellent R-Core transformer is also used for audio. The motherboard features gold-plated sockets for connecting modules and a carefully designed mounting system.
• The analogue input module is based on a high-quality isolation transformers that support both balanced and unbalanced signals, thus ensuring their galvanic isolation from the active stages of the preamplifier. The use of input transformers also ensures consistent parameters for the entire module, regardless of the various line signal sources connected. The selection of inputs from unbalanced (two RCA inputs) and balanced (two XLR inputs) sockets is made using high-quality miniature relays with gold-plated contacts for best possible sound quality.
• The phono module is a preamplifier with RIAA correction, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of MM and MC phono cartridges. The cartridge is selected using a switch on the rear panel of the device and rotary controls for adjusting the impedance of the MC cartridge. The first input stage is based on the field-effect transistors (FET) and an audio-dedicated operational amplifier. The role of the FET transistors is to determine the voltage gain before the next stage and perform RIAA correction. The next stage of the amplifier shapes the signal into a linear form and feeds it to the input of the signal selector - the REC module.
• The REC module is a preamplifier stage that ensures that the signal levels received from the line inputs, turntable, and digital inputs are matched to a single level. It also isolates the signal for the line output, and provides appropriate signal buffering for the volume control module.
• The digital module contains three digital inputs: USB-B, S/PDIF, and Bluetooth. A Burr Brown digital-to-analogue converter chip is used to convert digital signals. This silicon was selected from among many concepts as the one that meets our sound expectations. The digital signal from the USB and Bluetooth inputs is processed by a new-generation STM processor with our proprietary software. In order to eliminate the influence of digital signals on the analogue path, the digital module has its own power supply circuit, including a transformer and several linear voltage stabilizers for each stage.
• The volume control module is based on a resistor ladder switched by miniature relays with gold-plated contacts. Linear control is provided by a processor converting the signal from the potentiometer via an A/C converter to a set of appropriately switched relays, thereby changing the volume level. The resulting signal is fed to the output module.
• The output modules are a set of two identical circuits, completely separate for the left and right channels. They provide a balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) signal at the output. They are also a minimalist transistor design, in which the pair of transistors in the gain setting circuit are of the unipolar (FET) type. The voltage amplification section, on the other hand, is based on a single stage operating in a unique and purist single-ended configuration with a reactive load. This results in remarkable linearity of the entire circuit regardless of the signal level, which is extremely important in an audio preamplifier. The output current stage is a pair of medium-power transistors operating in class A, allowing for easy control of any power amplifier, even when using longer cables. At the same time, the outputs in the GOLD PRE ONE are fully protected against transient states in a manner that is transparent to the signal.

Our new preamplifier not only features advanced electronic design and a unique appearance. We have also ensured adequate heat dissipation. It is fully passive and provided by our brand's signature heat sinks, made in an innovative horizontal arrangement and hand-assembled from aluminium slabs.

The connectors and all control elements are arranged with logic and ergonomic in mind. The rear panel features sockets for four analogue line sources (two sets of RCA and XLR), a phono input (one set of RCA, MM/MC switch, terminators for MC), a USB digital input (one USB-B), S/PDIF input (one set of RCA), REC Out recording output (one set of RCA), unbalanced signal output (one set of RCA), balanced output (one set of XLR), power socket, and main AC switch. The front panel of the preamplifier also features a STBY (standby) button which, when turned off, indicates standby mode by lighting up. The front panel also features two large illuminated controls – an input selector and a volume control.

Technical Specification:

• Support for analog inputs and outputs as well as digital inputs.
• Maximum output signal level: 10V RMS.
• Frequency response: digital stage 10 Hz-22.5 kHz (+/- 2 dB) (44kHz)
• Frequency response: digital stage 10 Hz-40 kHz (+/- 3 dB) (96kHz)
• THD distortion: 0.1%.
• Protection against DC offset at the output.
• Power consumption: approx. 45 W.
• Dimensions (W x H x L): 575 x 135 x 450 mm.
• Weight: approx. 15 kg.