Aura, reference MC preamplifier
The reference MC phono preamp, model Aura, represents the culmination of decades of electronics design development. We’ve created the ultimate fully adjustable, three-stage, symmetrical preamp designed purely to extract the best performance from your moving coil cartridge and vinyl playback system.
With a completely redesigned chassis, the Aura is dedicated to moving coil cartridges and makes no compromises. We have avoided incorporating any type of superfluous function that could obstruct the signal path and degrade sound quality. The Aura phono preamp incorporates notable and innovative design ideas. If you are a big vinyl fan, you should try the Aura MC.
General conditions
Generator Source Resistance: 20Ω (Audio Precision Z Out)
Load set to 100 Ω and capacitance to 1000pF (Apheta and Aphelion)
Output load resistance: 100k Ω (Audio Precision Z In)
Input sensitivity for 200mV or unbalanced output
67 μV – 69.5 dB gain option I
131 μV – 63.5 dB gain option II
Gain input for unbalanced output
63.5 dB minimum
69.5 dB maximum
Input load: 50, 100, 150, 300 and 400 Ω
Capacitive load: 1000, 2000, 3200, 4300, 5700 pF
Input Overload @ 1 kHz:
9.6 mV – 63.5 dB as gain option
4.9 mV – 69.5 dB as gain option
Weighted output level
Unbalanced: 200mV
Balanced: 400 mV
Maximum output level
Unbalanced: 14.5V RMS
Balanced: 29V RMS
Balanced output connections
Balanced XLR connectors, pin 2 positive and pin 3 negative
The positive pin 2 connection of the balanced output is the same connection as the unbalanced output
output resistance
Unbalanced: 100 Ω
Balanced: 200 Ω
Absolute minimum output load resistance (for -3dB dropout @ 20Hz)
Unbalanced: 500 Ω
Balanced: 1000 Ω
RIAA Accuracy (better than): 0.2 dB 100 – 50,000 Hz
Frequency response: 13.5 Hz (-3dB) to 100 KHz (-0.2 dB)
THD (typical): 0.03% @ 1V 20-20,000 Hz (bandwidth 100 to 22,000 Hz)
Output noise level: (unbalanced, A-weighted output with 15 Ω input load):
-77 dB V (gain at 69.5 dB)
-82 dB V (gain at 63.5 dB)
Power: 230V & 115V nominal +/- 10%
Power consumption: 15.3W
