Decade Phono Preamplifier By Lehmann Audio

With its cutting-edge technology, the Lehmann Decade has the gift to spoil even the most demanding music enthusiasts. And this with a flawless sound which points far beyond its price category.

It doesn’t matter if you keep playing your favorite LPs time and again or love to discover unknown records if you are all alone or celebrate your music in an intimate circle – the Decade impresses in every situation with a harmonic performance of passionate temper and precise contours. For this is why the Decade was created: for you and your very personal music fireworks.

“It has a wonderfully spacious sound, and is truly exceptional in this respect at the price, with fine dimensionality, dynamics and a very natural, airy treble.”
— Hifi World
Audiophile all the way
Needless to say, Lehmann selected the components for the Decade with utmost care again. For instance, the employed input stages ensure an amazingly low-noise reproduction. It’s not without reason that they can also be found in very high-grade mixing consoles and microphone preamps from makers of professional studio electronics. The ultra-precision passive RIAA equalization network lies between two linear gain stages and is realized using low-loss precision MKP capacitors. That way transients, dynamics, and sonic timbres will get straight to the listener in a genuine manner.

Always with your musical enjoyment in mind, Lehmann developed the PWX II power supply which lets you benefit from further enhanced performance. This power supply is equipped with inductive elements at critical points and feeds the Decade with very low-noise DC voltages. Like in the Silver Cube it is linked to the audio device via a shielded cable with Neutrik connectors. Since the PWX II power supply is downward compatible with the PWX power supply, the audio devices of the Black Cube series may be connected as well. For this purpose, Lehmann has provided a dedicated second output.

Focus on versatility
Of course, with its manifold setting options, the Decade is fully custom-tunable to your individual needs. Thus, even exotic MC systems can be connected hassle-free to this outstanding phono stage – the 66 dB maximum gain is definitely sufficient in any case. To give even the most exceptional MC system a matching termination, the Decade includes a free slot for a custom impedance. Furthermore, you have the possibility to individually adjust the input capacitance values. The discrete class-A output stage with its high quiescent current delivers an open, swift sound image and can easily drive longer cables as well.

The switches for the gain adaptation plus a switchable “soft bass roll-off filter” are conveniently operated via toggle switches located on the front panel. The actual functions are controlled by internal high-quality relays.

Note: The sonic profile of Lehmann gear is perhaps the most neutral we can find. This brand is quite popular with our professional music/recording studio clients.

Hi-Fi World
“As LP pickup cartridges get ever more sophisticated they need a neutral preamplifier like Lehmann’s Decade. It offers silence and a svelte sound rather than high drama.”
https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EN-2019_08-HIFI_WORLD-Decade.pdf
Hifi News
“In this two-box model the usual plastic-cased in-line transformer gives way to Lehmann’s PWX II power supply, its frontal aspect uniform with the phono stage itself except for its lack of controls, and notably well-built.”
https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EN_review_Hifi_News_2010_04_Decade_screen.pdf
image hifi
“If the phono preamplifiers from Lehmann were a football team, the Decade would bear the shirt number ten because it has the overview, can read the game and has the power to decide it on its own.”
https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EN_review_image_hifi_decade_2009_01_screen.pdf
LP Magazin
“It is very fast and three-dimensional, delivers an excellent resolution of details while sketching room dimensions deeper than wide. Tonally on the safe side, yes – how ever not just boringly reproducing, but in an absolutely exciting and tingling manner.”
https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EN_review_lp-magazin_2008_06_decade_screen.pdf
Hi-Fi World
“It has a wonderfully spacious sound, and is truly exceptional in this respect at the price, with fine dimensionality, dynamics and a very natural, airy treble. As such, it comes heartily recommended, but it won’t suit those who place immediacy over accuracy, for whom there are many choices.”
https://jaguaraudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EN_review_hifi_world_2007_06_Decade_screen.pdf

The impressing technical details of the Decade.

Sensitivity for output level 775 mV/ 0 dB (with activated high gain switch): MM: 3.8 mV/1 kHz; MC: 0.38 mV/1 kHz
Gain 1 kHz: MM: 46 dB; MC: 66 dB
Maximum input level 1 kHz: MM: 45 mV; MC: 4.5 mV
Signal to noise ratio (RMS unweighted): MM: 78 dB; MC: 69 dB
Gain: 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB
Channel separation: > 80 dB at 10 kHz
Input impedance: 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms, 1 x custom load
Output impedance: 5 ohms
Input capacitance: 47 pF to 1,370 pF
Channel mismatch: typ. max 0.5 dB
Bass filter: 50 Hz, 6 dB/oct.
Power consumption: app. 13 VA
Outer dimensions W x D x H:
Audio section: 110 mm x 280 mm x 50 mm
PWX II power supply: 110 mm x 280 mm x 50 mm
Weight:
Audio section: 0.87 kg
PWX II power supply: 1.56 kg

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