Details
Alchemy Series: Designed ground-up by the ELAC team, the new Alchemy Series gives birth to a marriage of technologies, bringing further advances to a name known for delivering performance and build quality far exceeding its price. Every component incorporates relevant, well-thought-out features and topology that is important to critical listeners, like discrete implementation of power supply, preamplifier and signal processing to bring you best-in-class sound. With years of experience in award-winning analog and digital products, the Alchemy Series establishes a new standard for value in the world of high-end audio separates.
Phono Preamplifier: The Alchemy Series PPA-2 from ELAC is a full-featured phono preamp that uses all analog, discrete FET gain, and EQ stages to transform microscopic grooves in vinyl into stunningly lifelike music. The PPA-2 can be tailored to specific cartridge requirements, with switchable gain for each channel, MC cartridge loading, and stereo or mono operation. A selection of RCA or XLR inputs and outputs adds even more flexibility to the most versatile phono preamp in its class.
MM & MC Compatible: The ELAC PPA-2 works with Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) types of turntable cartridges. MM cartridges are designed to operate into a nominal load impedance of 47K Ohms. MC cartridges are typically loaded with much lower values from 5 Ohms to a few hundred Ohms up to maybe as much as 1000 Ohms. The PPA-2 lets you select this load precisely through use of its built-in measurement system with continuously adjustable potentiometer and manually adjusted dip-switches.
Unbalanced & Balanced Connections: The ELAC Alchemy Series PPA-2 offers balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs and outputs for connection flexibility. Balanced XLR connections guard against induced noise and allow long cable runs without compromising sound quality.
Inputs: The PPA-2 offers two input stages (Input 1 / Input 2) that allow you to connect up to two turntables. Input 1 consists of unbalanced Stereo RCA jacks. Input 2 consists of unbalanced stereo RCA jacks, as well as balanced stereo XLR jacks.
Outputs: The ELAC PPA-2 is outfitted with both unbalanced stereo RCA output jacks and balanced stereo XLR output jacks to connect to your control preamplifier (such as the ELAC DDP-2) or integrated amplifier.
Grounding Points: The PPA-2 has two different ground posts at different ground potentials - Signal and Chassis. "Signal" is at the ground potential of the input signal. "Chassis" is that of the AC Mains ground connection; typically used as a shield. If your turntable has only one ground connection, usually that will connect to the Chassis grounding point. If you have a separate ground wire from the arm it should go to the Signal ground, and the turntable motor or body ground wire should go to Chassis.
Front-Panel Display: The front-panel display will indicate input selection, plus filter and gain settings.
+18VDC Accessory: The proprietary +18VDC multi-pin accessory port is used to power select ELAC Miracord turntables (sold separately).
Mounting Options: The ELAC PPA-2 Phono Preamplifier can simply be placed on a shelf or other flat tabletop surface thanks to its integrated rubber feet.