TIDAL Prisma

The all new TIDAL Prisma. Transparency and invisibility at a new level. The Prisma does exactly two things only, and it does it in absolute perfection: selecting the source and adjusting the volume. It has to be experienced to understand the game changing way it does this. It takes itself acoustically completely out of the way between the source and the power amplifier.

The unique concept, the TIDAL preamplifier topology itself and the execution of the complex multilayer PCB board are the inner heart piece for the unique performance. On top of all that the Prisma comes with our legendary fully balanced MC phono input. A line stage like no other, as always embedded into our timeless and iconic TIDAL cabinet and built in perfection.

Questions to the product

connection to power input: 3 silver air core (silver tube) conductors with (Oyaide) connector, burnt in as complete cable-tree before assembling and being the only wires inside the preamp.
3x 25 VA ring core transformers
galvanic isolation between the control section (for the whole ADC processed level control) and the complete analogue part, divided into left and right.
all together 20 (twenty) separated linear regulated power voltages in total.
low noise power supply (left and right) for the analogue amplifier, directly embedded for shortest signal ways directly where it needs to be.

the whole amp section is built from single parts selected and to each other balanced by hand (discrete match up).
symmetrical amplifier design with only two solid state stages in the signal way.
low distortion and almost complete absence of a signature sound because of a complementary circuit topology, following the concept of the ideal for the shortest signal way, true balanced design in mirror-symmetrical layout onto a 4-layer PCB board.

32 steps volume attenuator with noble-gas filled mini reed relays and super short signal ways fully balanced, means audio-plus and audio-minus do have their own level adjuster, no cascade compromises. This means no open contacts (to prevent corrosion/dust etc.), and only 1 (one) metal film resistor in the signal way in the best (and direct) position between signal in and signal out.
galvanic and optical isolated ADC control from an ALPS motor driven potentiometer to control the relays itself, resolution adapted for each volume level (higher for lower levels, lower for higher levels).

3x true balanced inputs and 1x MC phono input
when the balanced input is turned off also the matching GND connection is in high resistance (100 ohm) for reducing ground loop.
2x balanced output
2x remote power on/off by RJ45 to power amplifiers on and off
loop-through mode free to configure to either input 1, 2 or 3 for external AV processor home cinema embedding.

MC phono input, unique two-stage concept between the MC-board and the line-stage itself for the shortest possible signal way from cartridge to balanced output (to the power amp).
phono heating for low distortions and perfect temperature of (sound) sensitive parts.
fully balanced input impedance to be chosen by the rotary switch at the backside (ELMA precision switcher controlling mini-reed-relay direct in the circuit (from position 1 up to 12): 50, 80, 100, 130, 160, 200, 266, 330, 400, 570, 800, 2000 ohm).
high-gain / low-gain selector with a 10 dB difference (also in sound)
direct soldered connection to the main board by silver air core solid core wires
voltage gain: 10 dB (line mode) 20 dB (phono mode)
gain bandwidth: 1 Hz to 350 kHz (-3 dB)
distortion: < 0.005%
noise: 100 dB (0.5 V output voltage)
input impedance: 10 kOhm
output impedance: < 40 ohm
DC-coupled symmetrical MC Class-A amplifier: voltage gain: 55 dB (at 1 kHz), noise: > 80 dB (0.5 mV input voltage), input impedance: 10 to 1.2 kOhm, output impedance: 150 ohms.
dimensions (width x height x length): 44 cm x 13 cm x 39 cm
weight (packaging excluded): 14 kg
weight (incl. packaging): 32 kg

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