{"product_id":"ppa-01-passieve-tvc-voorversterker","title":"Design by Mr. K PPA-01 \/ PPA-02B passive TVC preamplifier","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDesign by Mr. K: passive TVC preamplifier in two versions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis passive preamplifier by Design by Mr. K is available in two versions. Choose the version that suits your system's connections from the model options:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003ePPA-01 – RCA:\u003c\/strong\u003e three RCA inputs and one RCA output.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003ePPA-02B – RCA and XLR:\u003c\/strong\u003e three RCA inputs and three XLR inputs, with one RCA output and one XLR output.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth versions operate without an external power supply and combine C-Core autotransformers with mechanical volume control in 59 steps. This allows you to connect your source and power amplifier without an additional active amplification stage while easily returning to your favorite volume setting. You can find the connections, gain settings, and weights for each model below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does Transformer Volume Control work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA conventional potentiometer controls the volume using a voltage divider. These preamplifiers use taps on C-Core autotransformers for this purpose. Choosing a different tap changes the voltage ratio and thus the signal level. This magnetic volume control is also called Autoformer Volume Control (AVC) with autotransformers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is special is that not only the voltage, but also the impedance is transformed. When attenuating, the effective output impedance can become lower. This can be beneficial for driving the power amplifier compared to a simple passive voltage divider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy the ‘cool-melted method’?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe designer opts for a special construction method in which the C-Core autotransformers are assembled without metal stabilization clamps. He calls this the ‘cool-melted method’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason for this choice is to avoid material differences between the transformer and the metal clamps used for stabilization in a conventional construction. According to the designer, such material differences can adversely affect sound quality. By making the clamps unnecessary, he aims to eliminate this potential influence during construction. It is therefore a deliberate design choice regarding the transformers that provide the volume control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the two autotransformers are positioned at a 90-degree angle to reduce mutual magnetic interference between the left and right channels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe benefits in your system\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo external power supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e the control operates without a powered amplification stage, thereby avoiding potential noise contributions from such an additional circuit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e59 fixed volume steps:\u003c\/strong\u003e accurately and repeatably set your listening level.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelectable gain:\u003c\/strong\u003e match the voltage ratio to your system. The settings vary by model and connection. Voltage increase is passive, not through active power amplification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial transformer construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e C-Core autotransformers without metal stabilization clamps, manufactured using the manufacturer's described ‘cool-melted method’.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eChoice of connections:\u003c\/strong\u003e RCA on the PPA-01, RCA and XLR on the PPA-02B. Both versions have separate connections for House GND and Audio GND.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications PPA-01 – RCA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eDesign: fully passive preamplifier with C-Core autotransformers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eVolume control: mechanical, 59 steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGain settings: 1×, 3×, 5× and 10×\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eWinding ratios according to the product specification: 1:1.00; 1:3.10; 1:4.97; 1:10.39\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eInputs: 3 RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eOutput: 1 RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGrounding: 1 House GND and 1 Audio GND\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency range: 20 Hz–20 kHz (±3 dB), at 1× gain, maximum volume and a load of 10 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (w × d × h): 350 × 280 × 80 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eNet weight: 4.0 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGross weight according to the product specification: 6.8 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications PPA-02B – RCA and XLR\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo you want to connect sources and a power amplifier via XLR in addition to RCA? Then choose the PPA-02B variant. This model also operates fully passively with mechanical volume control in 59 steps and C-Core autotransformers using the ‘cool-melted method’. The difference lies, among other things, in the connections and the gain settings for XLR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eInputs: 3 RCA and 3 XLR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eOutputs: 1 RCA and 1 XLR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGain via RCA: 1×, 3×, 5× and 10×\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGain via XLR: 0.5×, 1.5×, 2.5× and 5×\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGrounding: 1 House GND and 1 Audio GND\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency range: 20 Hz–20 kHz (±3 dB), at 1× gain, maximum volume and a load of 10 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended minimum input impedance of the power amplifier: 10 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (w × d × h): 350 × 280 × 80 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eNet weight: 4.5 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eGross weight according to the product specification: 7.3 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHouse GND and Audio GND\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe separate connections for House GND and Audio GND provide additional options for tailoring the grounding in your system. The designer describes connecting to an external grounding box or, where appropriate, a connection between both GND connections with a jumper. These connections are not a replacement for the protective ground of connected equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChoosing gain: matching, not simply turning it up louder\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gain choice changes the voltage ratio of the autotransformer. The designer describes different tonal characteristics per setting, but these are subjective descriptions and not guaranteed characteristics. Choose the setting that suits the output level of your source and the sensitivity of your power amplifier; higher gain is not automatically better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eReviews and listening experiences\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dutch summaries below reflect the impressions of the mentioned sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHiFiReport – listening review of the PPA-02B\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reviewer experiences the PPA-02B via RCA at 1× gain as virtually neutral, with little recognizable character of its own. Any differences are described as a slightly tighter and better defined soundstage, without a harsh character. At 3× gain, he hears a fuller instrument presentation and more spatial depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hifireport.com\/mr-k-ppa-02b-passive-preamplifier-review\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead the full English PPA-02B review on HiFiReport\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDeco Audio – dealer review of the PPA series\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe British dealer Deco Audio appreciates the simple, purist design and the finely adjustable volume control in 59 steps. The dealer recommends the default setting of 1× gain for most systems and mentions the other settings as an option when additional voltage increase is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/decoaudioshop.co.uk\/products\/design-by-mr-k-ppa-pre-amplifier\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRead the English product review by Deco Audio\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelivery time: 1 to 2 weeks within Europe\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Design by Mr. K","offers":[{"title":"PPA-01 - RCA","offer_id":59219355402504,"sku":null,"price":2675.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"PPA-02B - RCA + XLR","offer_id":59219355435272,"sku":null,"price":3400.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1070\/3205\/1976\/files\/switch.jpg?v=1792926297","url":"https:\/\/audiokafe.com\/products\/ppa-01-passieve-tvc-voorversterker","provider":"AUDIOKAFE ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}