Tosh Balanced Line Preamplifier

by M2Tech

The preamplifier is the heart of the system, as well as the component whose performance most significantly influences some parameters of the Hi-Fi system: transparency, detail, dynamic boost at low levels. Furthermore, the preamplifier acts as a link between the sources and the power amplifiers.

The increase in performance of an M2Tech system, when the Tosh is inserted between the Young MkIV DAC (which is also equipped with a preamplification section) and the Larson class A power amplifiers says a lot about the importance of the preamplifier: not always " less is more”.

The Tosh is a preamplifier for high level sources only (those who own a turntable can use the Nash to connect it between the turntable and the Tosh preamplifier), with totally balanced circuitry with discrete components, borrowed from that of the Marley headphone amplifier and adapted for the driving high impedance users (the inputs of power amplifiers).

It is equipped with three single-ended inputs on RCA connectors (the signal of which is converted to balanced via a special circuit) and three balanced inputs on 7-pole composite connectors (one per channel) to which the two adapter cables supplied are applied , each equipped with three 3-pole female XLR connectors.

It provides the output signal in both single-ended format on RCA connectors and in balanced format on XLR connectors.

The Tosh uses two MUSES 72320 integrated resistor network attenuators for volume control, the best on the market. They also allow balance control (+/-6 dB) and muting (-20 dB).

All circuits on the audio path are powered via a dual discrete component regulator designed by M2Tech characterized by very low background noise. This makes it possible to achieve incredible signal/noise ratio performances (up to 130 dBA) which make the Tosh absolutely transparent to the signal (gain aside) and allow it to transfer the musical message intact in its dynamic components to the power amplifiers and with all its details.

Its very low output impedance makes the Tosh insensitive to the parameters of the signal cable used to connect it to the power amplifier. Its maximum output voltage of 8.6 Vrms on the single-ended output and 17.3 Vrms on the balanced output allows it to better drive even the least sensitive power amplifier.

A trigger output allows the Tosh to automatically turn on a power amplifier connected to it.

The Tosh can be controlled via the front panel encoder and via the supplied infrared remote control.