Onno Kiviet | 23 oktober 2014 |  <   > |
TAGS: Nieuws |

Densen B-250 XS Reference Pre Amp

The Densen B-250 has established itself as a reference preamplifier on the high end market over the years. Now Densen introduces the updated XS version. Taking many of the innovations from the B-275 Super Leggera preamp, the B-250XS offers a new level of performance from the renowned B-250. The B-250XS is filled with advanced solutions, which all share the goal of giving you even more musicality.

The volume level is controlled by an extremely precise attenuator made of Vishay metal film resistors, which is switched by relays controlled by the microprocessor. In comparison with a normal volume potentiometer of the kind used in the majority of all preamps, the microprocessor controlled attenuator has virtually no self induced noise and an extremely low distortion. This results in an unsurpassed precision and refinement, and the attenuator contains no less than 200 steps! This makes it possible to adjust the volume very precisely (0.5dB) even when the sound is so low that an ordinary volume control would create an uneven balance between left and right. Compared to the popular digital volume controls used in many amps now a days, the difference is even more substantial. Digital volume controls typically uses FETs for the regulation, and has signalpaths with up to 600 components inside the IC. As such, they lacks transparency and detaillevel. This the B-250XS microprocessor controlled attenuator has in spades!

The B-250XS contains sockets for the SA Board for surround, DP-03 MM RIAA stage. There is also the possibility of upgrading the B-250XS with the DNRG or 2NRG external power supply to further enhance the sound quality to experience truly breathtaking musical experiences.

The amplification stages are all refined developments based on advanced Class A designs, which have been encapsulated on the board to avoid any kind of interference with the delicate signal. The output stage is a dual mono design with an extraordinarily huge storage capacity (100.000 uF) that would make most other power amplifiers envious. This design produces a musicality which is truly outstanding by any standards. 

Audiophile Surround Sound

The SA boards (Surround Audio Boards) are not a technological breakthrough, but they are a revolution in new features. The SA boards are add-on boards for the B-250XS. The B-250XS is a dedicated 2 channel product initially, but when you mount the SA boards you get analogue 5.1/ 7.1 line input and 5.1 / 7.1 line preout. This means you can easily connect a surround processor, DVD-player or SACD-player. If you have a system consisting of a preamp and a 2 channel power amp, with the SA boards implemented you can then connect a B-340 (4 channel amplifier) and then have 6 channels (5+1) of high grade amplification. This is a very easy and sonically superior way to enter the world of home cinema or Super Audio systems. 

The SA boards exist in two versions the SA-02 board is the standard version with a competitive price, allowing for easy Surround; the SA-01 is the reference version, with extremely high quality preamp stages. The SA-01 will give the same sound quality as the B-250XS in all channels.

All 5.1 and/or 7.1 channels can be controlled from the Gizmo system remote, so that you can adjust for perfect sound levels and balance between the channels from your favourite listening and viewing position.

When you have the SA board installed in the B-250XS you get unsurpassed musicality for a 7.1 system. We do not hesitate to call it the first really musical surround system ever.

The B-250XS contains socket on the backpanel for use with internal DACs. Densen soon introduces a reference DAC for internal use. It will have USB, Toslink and Coax digital inputs, and it will be controllable from both the Gizmo remote, and from the front panel of the B-250XS. Naturally, the display of the B-250XS will inform about which digital input that is choosen.

If a more simple DAC is all that is required, Densen offers the FabelDAC, which has 2 COAX digital inputs, making it perfect for use with Sonos and other digital sources with a COAX digital output.

As allways with Densen, the sound has had top priority, and as such, the B-250XS offers a strong musical performance in line with the traditions of Densen. Dynamics, transparency, detaillevel, soundstage, precision and musicality is outstanding, and using the B-250XS will allow the user to delve into the music, and forget about the technology in the quest for audiophile nirvana!

W: http://knooppuntaudio.nl/merken/densen
W: www.densen.dk