VINIUS VAS-1 moving coil cartridge step-up transformer
It does precisely what a good preamplifier should do; take the sound of
a source and give it the right volume level.
Vinius Audio’s TVC-05 is one
of the best passive preamps
around. With no active gain
stages, its simplicity is its
strength. The TVC-05 comes
in balanced or single-ended
versions, with a motorised magnetic induction-
controlled volume control and a transformer
wired to Vinius’ patented design. The basic RCA
version has no electronic components, while
the RCA+Remote and XLR versions come with
a remote volume control driven by an Apple
handset. There is also a more minimalist version
called the TVC-05 Special Edition.
Passive preamps were traditionally plagued
by high-frequency roll-off. However, transformer-
coupled and passive magnetic preamps like the TVC-05 have addressed these issues,
providing transparency without sacrificing treble
performance. And the result is a design with
legendary clarity and transparency, allowing
the true sound of the source to shine through
without any added coloration. The precision and sonic performance of the TVC-05 are
exceptional, providing detail, soundstaging, vocal
articulation, dynamic range, microdynamics,
bass depth, and resolution.
In our test, Alan Sircom said, “When youhear how much the gain stages of even a good
preamp ruin the relationship between source
and amplifier, you can’t help but be impressed
by the TVC-05.” Adding, “It does precisely what
a good preamplifier should do; take the sound of a source and give it the right volume level with nothing getting in the way of that goal.” He
concluded, saying “If you see that as ‘minimalism
done right’ instead of a ‘hair-shirted gain-
remover’, the Vinius Audio TVC-05 is not only for
you, but it might just be the best of the breed.”
Article from hifi+ magazine
