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Lehmann Black Cube SE Phono Preamp
Since 1995, the Black Cube has gained the reputation of being the most cost-effective phonostage on the market, and has been overwhelmingly acclaimed by the international press. The Black Cube SE takes what is already great to a whole new level, and provides an excellent entry into high-end audio. It has the same features as the Black Cube, but the PWX power supply is added to the package. The PWX features a 30W toroidal transformer; the main reason for the significant upgrade in sonic performance. This PWX sports a grounded isolation coil between the primary and secondary coil, resulting in much more bass authority, a more fluid midrange, as well as more openness. The price per performance ratio is why more and more analogue lovers choose the Black Cube SE right from the start.
Lehmann PWX Features and Specifications
30VA (=10x Black Cube) high-current toroidal transformer with protection coil
Only top notch electronic parts
Ultra fast recovery-rectifying diodes
Advanced series voltage regulation stage
Output voltage: app. +/- 15VDC
Double sided PCB
Detachable cable with professional 4-pole XLR connector with gold-plated contacts
Aluminum case
Dimensions: 230mmDx90mmWx44mmH
All connectors at the rear side
Dr. Chris' Comments on the Lehmann Black Cube SE
I took a Black Cube SE home on loan for demo in my system. After listening closely for a few weeks, I found myself painfully disappointed, but only because I had to bring it back to the store. Damn. It was only after disconnecting it that I noticed just how clean and quiet it was. It brought a certain life to vocal work, texture to guitars, punch to drums and depth to bass that my system was previously incapable of achieving. The Black Cube SE showed me new perspectives on records that I’ve listened to a million times. On Supertramp’s heavily produced and nuance-loaded “Breakfast in America,” backing vocals never seemed so available and appropriately placed. Other phono preamps have rendered some of the drum work unnatural and choked, but the Black Cube SE allowed sustain and room ambience through to the extent that drums and cymbals sounded convincing and authoritative. On busier records like The Mars Volta’s “Frances the Mute,” the guitar, drums, bass, and vocals were pulled apart so as not to drown each other out. This is important when you’re dealing with a band comprised of such deeply innovative and talented members. The instruments play off of each other and chatter back and forth. To identify the “meaning” of each part, there must be a great degree of clarity across the board, and the Black Cube SE accomplished this. At this point I don’t listen to a ton of live music, but the few live records I have never sounded so live! Apart from musical information, live records have a wealth of textures created by the venue and the audience therein. Listening to these records with the Black Cube SE in the signal chain gave me the ever-so-corny impression that I was at the show in person. Drum kicks filled the room and alto woodwinds had heartbreaking amounts of texture and character.
Truly a treat. The Black Cube SE is easily one of the best in its class.
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