The
Vibe
line preamplifier
Like
The Groove phono stage, The Vibe has been in
development for the last 12 years.
Its basic specifications comprise:
* 5 pairs of switched line inputs and 1 pair
of buffered record outputs
* 2pairs of outputs to power amplifiers
* Function switch from 'WASP' manufacturers
of battlefield communication technology
* The DACT switched attenuator used in The Vibe
has a tracking accuracy between channels of
0.05 dB, compared with an error of ±
10% from other manufacturers. It comprises an
array of surface mount metal film resistors
mounted on a gold plated spiral track giving
24 positions. It's main benefits are: minimal
distortion over a wide bandwidth, short signal
paths, stunning attenuation accuracy figures
of 0.05dB between channels.
*Proprietary 'Lithos' regulation (unique to
Tom Evans products) supplying all stages of
the circuit
*
Dimensions: 33 x 9 x 18 cm
The
output stage utilises current feedback technology.
This approach is superior to voltage feedback
designs as it offers far greater rise and recovery
times (less than 10 nanoseconds). Using conventional
voltage regulation, this approach is rarely
used as power supply related noise creates a
marked reduction in resolution and dynamic range.
Historically feedback has been used to solve
problems of inadequate circuit design. This
is certainly the case using conventional technology.
Intelligent use of feedback is a key feature
of producing a more lifelike presentation, as
it greatly improves linearity and bandwidth.
The application of Tom Evans' proprietary Lithos
regulation means that one is no longer reliant
on the amplifier's ability to reject garbage,
as this is disposed of long before it reaches
any gain stage. Noise is therefore virtually
eliminated with the added benefit of increased
speed and resolution far in advance of most
designs.
Because
the gain stage is fully DC coupled to accurately
reproduce a wide bandwidth, an added safety
feature is a DC detection and isolation circuit.
This protects both loudspeakers and DC coupled
power amps from potential damage through failure
of any source components. This circuit delays
power up at 'switch on' for 8 seconds while
it checks the system, then remains active at
all times during the unit's use, and will immediately
isolate the output if DC is detected. This only
operates below 3Hz; its presence in the preamp
is inaudible.
In addition to the current feedback technology,
there are marked echoes of the award winning
Groove phono stage (in terms of error correction
and the application of psycho acoustic principles)
built into the design. The Vibe preamp again
moves the goalposts for what is possible in
reproducing recorded music.
Add
the optional Pulse II power supply to the above
described Vibe and things get even better. The
Pulse is joined to the Vibe through the same
multi-pin connector used by the stock power
supply. Chris Thomas in Hifi +, Issue 27 –
Nov./Dec. 2003 opined that "Even without
the Pulse, the Vibe is good enough to be compared
to any sub-$17,000 pre out there....But add
the Pulse and you are talking of an entirely
different level of performance altogether."
Shockingly good.
The
Pulse power supply is a plug-in power supply
substitution to the standard Vibe preamp. No
modification to the Vibe is necessary other
than disconnecting the stock power supply and
replacing it with the Pulse power supply.
Product Review:
Vibe
Lithos 7 preamp
, Jeff Day at 6moons.com, December 2005
Hifi Plus Magazine, Sept. 2003, Roy
Gregory
No
remote, no balanced connections, no user configurable
inputs and no fancy display of any kind…
But the really important bit is the Lithos regulation,
the same discrete circuit used to such telling
effect in The Groove. This is where the Vibe
discovers its inky black background, the basis
of its astonishing transparency resolution and
dynamic range…
The sheer fact that I am discussing The Vibe
in the context of products that sell for around
four times its ticket tells you what a bargain
it represents…
Playing Tea for Tillerman, a disc that’s
found its way through all the resident line-stages
recently reviewed I was caught quite unprepared.
Where Do The Cildren Play normally gets pigeon
holed as a nice, slightly limp ballad. I was
pinned to my seat by the power and feeling in
the performance, the astonishing impact of its
musical purpose…
The Groove Vibe combination gives you full value
for what’s on the record, but never over
eggs the pudding. It simply provides an outstanding
vivid , tactile and engaging performance, releasing
the artist intent from the shackles of what
have always seemed like indifferent recordings
and pressings.
If the Groove represented a whole new record
collection than the combination simply bypasses
the medium and buries you straight in the message…
But if musical communication and performance
is your primary aim then it performs to a standard
that challenges the very best. Use it with the
matching phono stage and a decent record player
and you’ll hear something really quite
extraordinary.
Stereophile
Website, September 2002, Barry Willis
I’ve
been using the Vibe in my system for two months,
and it’s been a revelation: effortless
extension at both frequency extremes, with an
astounding ability to reveal inner detail and
rhythmic nuance, and the best bass articulation
I have ever heard. Adding this component elevated
my system from being merely “very good”
to among the best I’ve ever encountered.
I don’t believe it can get much better.
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