Orpheus Lab A Two 22D Preamplifier

From $18,900
Orpheus Lab A Two 22D Preamplifier
Orpheus Lab A Two 22D Preamplifier - Image 2
Orpheus Lab A Two 22D Preamplifier - Image 3

This purely resistive discrete preamplifier brings Swiss precision, breathtaking dynamics, and effortless control to the heart of your system.

At the core of every transcendent audio experience lies the beating heart of the system, where passion takes form.

The Absolute Pre-Amp becomes the centrepiece of your setup, infusing every note with vitality and every silence with meaning.

With unparalleled artistry, it brings out the finest details of your music, capturing every subtlety with unmatched clarity. A unifying harmony that binds the elements, transforming sound into an emotional journey, delivering breathtaking dynamics and an expansive soundstage.

Building upon the CRQL technology developed for our prestigious Heritage line, the A Two 22D discrete component preamplifier achieves a perfect harmony between technological prowess and musicality. Its purely resistive attenuator, configured in an unbalanced design, goes beyond mere faithful reproduction of recordings; it is dedicated to capturing the soul of the music, rendering it more vivid than ever.

 

 

The internal architecture consists of 5 levels

  • Source selection: offers a choice between two balanced and two unbalanced inputs, seamlessly adapting to any source while preserving absolute signal integrity
  • Conditioner stage: ensures that even the most delicate audio signals are brought to the same reference level, delivering identical sonic quality regardless of the input mode—balanced or unbalanced
  • Each input features a selectable gain stage (High, Medium, or Low), offering the flexibility to perfectly adapt to the vast array of sources available on the market.
  • Volume adjustment between -120 dB and +6 dB by 1 dB steps
  • Class A current-buffered output stage

 

 

At the heart of the system is an attenuator based on CRQL technology, enabling precise adjustment to the desired output levels. CRQL stands for “Constant Resistive Quadrupoles with a Logarithmic distribution architecture”. This internal circuit has the advantage of being inherently logarithmic, thus avoiding approximations like the more commonly used linear R-2R system in this type of application. The CRQL attenuator module uses quadrupoles composed solely of high-quality metal-film resistors with a tolerance of 0.1 %. It allows volume adjustment between -121 dB and +6 dB in 1 dB steps. To guarantee maximum signal integrity, our CRQL module contains no semiconductor components in series with the signal. Additionally, volume changes occur within a maximum of 150 ns after an audio signal zero-crossing.

Specifications

Input
Connections 2x XLR and 2x RCA
Balanced Input Impedance 94 kΩ
Unbalanced Input Impedance 47 kΩ
Maximum Input Level (Input Bal) 7.2 Vrms
Maximum Input Level (Input Unbal) 3.6 Vrms
Grounding Grounded: Signal ground connected to earth
Two Possible Modes Selectable By A Switch On The Rear Panel Lifted: Separated ground and earth signal
Output
Connections XLR or RCA
Maximum Output Level (Input Bal) 6.2 Vrms
Maximum Output Level (Input Unbal) 3.1 Vrms
Frequency Range (+0 dB, -0.1 dB) 5 Hz to 24 kHz
Frequency Range (-3 dB) 0.7 Hz to 330 kHz
THD+N < 0.0014 % (-97 dB) @ 1 kHz
Gain Balanced Max 18 dB
Gain Unbalanced Max 24 dB
Clip To Noise Ratio -105 dB
Gain Unbalanced 32 dB
Gain Balanced 26 dB
Output Impedance Balanced 200 Ohm
Output Impedance Unbalanced 100 Ohm
Technology Used
Three Pre-configured input gain 0 dB, +5.85 dB or +11.88 dB corresponding to the High, mid or low input level. Adjustment ranges from -120 dB to +6 dB in steps of 1 dB. Real dual mono topology. Purely resistive passive component attenuator without any feedback loops or semiconductor components. Class A type output current buffer.
Power
Nominal Line Voltage 100, 115 or 230 Vac
Input Voltage Range ± 15 %
Maximum Power Consumption 50 W
Size & Weight
Height 100 mm
Depth 420 mm
Width 440 mm
Weight 14.2 kg
Safety Features
Automatic switching to MUTING if the AC line drops or is interrupted.
Category:
Orpheus Lab is a Swiss electronics atelier that takes its name from the mythological poet whose music was said to move the world itself. That ambition is not accidental. Working from a tradition closer to fine watchmaking than conventional audio manufacturing, Orpheus Lab designs amplifiers and disc players with a philosophical clarity that reveals itself the moment music begins. The brand's digital foundations trace to Florian Cossy and Thierry Heeb, two engineers who came out of Goldmund, shaped the early architecture of Orpheus Lab's digital playback, and went on to found CH Precision. Their house sound is described as possessing an elegance and gracefulness — long on smooth, richly hued control — that makes music feel like a luxury. These are components designed not for those still chasing specifications, but for those who have arrived at a point where only the music itself matters.

Visit us for a listening session and free consultation

You are cordially invited to experience Bliss. We are located in Minnetonka, MN on the Deephaven border. We accommodate visits by appointment only and give you our complete attention when you are here. You should expect to have the opportunity to listen to a reference-level system and being engaged in discussion so we learn how to best help guide you further along your journey.

Hours: By appointment only

Call: 612-234-5850

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