ALVA Duo
Moving Coil & Moving Magnet Phono Preamp

 

Squeeze every inch of detail from your record collection with our highest quality moving magnet and moving coil phono stage, with integrated headphone amp; the Duo Phono Preamplifier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

"Few other options out there can match this kind of listening experience"

 

"It's a well-specified, full-bodied, dynamic performer, as classy as a matinée idol in a smoking jacket. You really can't go wrong"

 

Vinyl as it's Supposed to Sound

Whether you’re dusting off your record collection or embracing analogue through the vinyl revival, there’s a unique experience to be had from the moment you drop the needle on your favourite album. To preserve the unique warmth of the vinyl sound, the Duo phono preamplifier has been carefully designed with a state-of-the-art switch mode power supply and a new surface mounted circuit board layout to reduce unwanted noise.

 

 

Why Choose a Dedicated Phono Preamplifier?

Due to the low-level signals created by a turntable, not all hi-fi amplifiers will let you connect directly to a record player. The phono preamplifier boosts this signal to something a power amplifier can work with. The challenge at this stage though is that noise can easily be added.

This is why we’ve designed the Duo around exceptional components that deliver the warm and detailed sound that’s synonymous with vinyl, all without distorting the signal from your moving magnet cartridge turntable. The switch mode power supply improves performance by switching outside of audible frequency to drastically reduce hum and new circuit board layout uses surface-mount components to reduce noise.

 

 

Vinyl. Just for You

Enjoy the warmth of vinyl privately thanks to Duo’s integrated headphone output. Uniquely, we integrated a 6.35mm headphone jack directly into the phono stage, so you can still enjoy your records when there’s no option to play out loud.

The integrated headphone output also means no need to turn on your amplifier just to power your headphones, resulting in a more eco-friendly listening experience.

 

 

Attention to Detail

If some records in your collection are a little worse for wear, the subsonic filter will help to eliminate low frequency rumbles that can be caused by imperfections within your vinyl. Combine this with the balance control for handling potential cartridge imbalances in your record player (that can cause a difference between the left and right channels) and the result is a detailed experience with accurate soundstage.

 

 

 

Eco Friendly

The Duo phono preamplifier is green at heart with less than half a watt standby power consumption and auto power down feature if the unit isn’t used after a 20 minute period. This in turn gives the unit the same worldwide voltage for compatibility wherever you are in the world.

 

 

 

REVIEW & AWARDS

 Cambridge Audio Duo MC/MM review - Read More

"Rarely does Cambridge Audio fire too wide of the mark, but the Duo hits right at the centre of the target.

It's a well-specified, full-bodied, dynamic performer, as classy as a matinée idol in a smoking jacket. You really can’t go wrong" - What Hi Fi?

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

MAX POWER CONSUMPTION	10W
CARTRIDGE SUPPORT	Moving Magnet | Moving Coil
GAIN @ 1KHZ	MM: 39dB | MC: 60dB
NOMINAL OUTPUT	300mV
SENSITIVITY FOR NOMINAL OUTPUT	MM: 3.35mV | MC: 305uV
EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISE (A-WEIGHTED)	MM: ~0.09uV | MC: ~0.08uV
RIAA CURVE ACCURACY	+/- 0.3dB 30Hz-20kHz
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO GROUNDED INPUTS REF. 1V OUTPUT (20HZ-20KHZ BW)	MM: >90dB | MC: >70dB
THD+N 1KHZ (20-20KHZ BW)	MM: <0.0025% | MC: <0.20%
INPUT IMPEDANCE	MM: 47k Ohms | MC: 100 Ohms
INPUT CAPACITANCE	100pF
OVERLOAD MARGIN	>30dB
CROSSTALK @ 10KHZ	MM: >85dB | MC: 75dB
DIMENSIONS (H X W X D)	48 x 215 x 159 mm (1.9 x 8.5 x 6.2")
WEIGHT	0.95kg (2.1lbs)
WHATS IN THE BOX?	Alva Duo Moving Coil & Moving Magnet Phono Preamp, User Manual, Safety Guide, Mains Lead