Vincent Audio, the German designer and manufacturer of elegant high-fidelity stereo and multichannel components, announced today the limited production run of the new SA-T7 Diamond, a tube preamplifier featuring prized German Telefunken tubes manufactured decades ago.
SA-T7 Diamond Overview
The new SA-T7 Diamond features the same audiophile-grade circuitry as the SA-T7 MK, which utilize 85A2, 6SCH9P, and 6SCH51P grid pentode tubes. Both tube preamps also include a built-in Bluetooth receiver. However, the SA-T7 Diamond makes use of hard to find Telefunken PCF803 tubes, which claim to offer an even greater sense of musicality.
“The SA-T7 Diamond represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the most esteemed tubes in audio incorporated in a product that is a perfect match for their unique characteristics,” says Steve Niemi, Director of Global Sales, Pangea Audio, LLC. “No fewer than four PCF803 tubes contribute to the outstanding sonic characteristics of the SA-T7 Diamond.”
Designer, Frank Blöhbaum says the SA-T7 Diamond offers much higher gain with less noise than comparable triodes, thanks in part to the BestPentode-circuit he developed.
Extremely pure audio transmission is accomplished with a low-noise power supply coupling of the BestPentode stage. Vincent Audio developed a proprietary module for this stage, called Vimala, the Sanskrit term for, “pure, transparent, clear.” A second gain stage affords precision control over treble and bass, though tone controls can be bypassed in order to hear the purest music signal.
The SA-T7 Diamond features connections for a wide range of analog and digital audio sources, accommodating both analog and digital. Included are six stereo RCA-type connections, one Toslink optical digital connection, and one coax digital connection. Internally, there is a PCM 5102-based DAC providing 24-bit/192 kHz performance.
Bluetooth 5.0 allows listeners to wirelessly stream high-resolution audio files to the preamplifier.
Comparison
| SA-T7 Diamond | SA-T7 MK | |
| MSRP | $3,995 | $3,499 |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz – 100kHz +/- 0,1 dB | 10 Hz – 100 kHz ±0.1 dB |
| Output Voltage | 3 V | 3 V |
| T.H.D. | < 0,001 % (1 kHz, Output Voltage 2Veff an 10 KOhm) | < 0.001 % (1 kHz, Output Voltage 2Veff at 10 kOhm) |
| Amplification typ. | Typical 13.3 dB (Volume Controller max. Gain) | Typical 13.3 dB (Volume Controller max. Gain) |
| Input Sensitivity | 430 mV (2V Output Voltage) | 430 mV (for 2 Volt Output Voltage) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (typ.) | > 100dB (A) | > 100 dB (A) |
| Input Impedance | 22 kOhm | > 22 kOhm |
| Inputs | 6 x Stereo RCA 1 x Optical 1 x Coaxial 1 x Bluetooth | 6 x Stereo RCA 1 x Optical 1 x Coaxial 1 x Bluetooth |
| Max. Power Consumption: | 58 watts | 58 watts |
| Outputs | 2 x Stereo RCA Pre-Out 1 x Stereo RCA Rec-Out 2 x 3.5 mm Jack (Power Control) | 2 x Stereo RCA (Pre Out) 1 x Stereo RCA (Rec Out) 2 x 3.5 mm Jack (Power Control) |
| Tubes | 4 x Telefunken PCF 803 1 x 85A2 | 2 x 6SCH9P 4 x 6SCH51P 4 x 6SCH9P 1 x 85A2 |
| Playable Digital Formats | WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM, MP3, ACC, AC3, WMA | WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM, MP3, ACC, AC3, WMA |
| Color | Black / Silver | Black / Silver |
| Weight | 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs) | 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 430 x 135 x 370 mm | 430 x 135 x 370 mm |
Price & Availability
The Vincent Audio’s SA-T7 Diamond tube preamplifier is available now for $3,995 at Audio Advisor in black or silver.
The Vincent Audio SA-T7MK is available for $3,499 at Amazon.
Related Reading
ORT
March 20, 2024 at 12:58 am
I now have “tube envy”. Not to be confused with any other form of “envy”. For example I have always wanted to play the piano bu never wanted to learn, ergo it could be said that I have…wait for it…”Pianist Envy”.
Yup. My mom would have me watch two films whenever they were on TV back in the days of (mostly) black & white – “Pygmalion and My Fair Lady”.
“Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech…” I was already familiar with the Greek Myth upon which both were primarily based and it is a favorite of mine: “Pygmalion and Galatea”.
R A M B…L I N…Ramblin’!
What hath this to do with tubes, you say?! Nothing.
And everything. Because many tubes are beautiful in the way that Galatea was. Created by human hand to be perfect. Beautiful beyond words, even when one has be given the divine gift of articulate speech.
I am SpORTicus!
Ian White
March 20, 2024 at 11:20 pm
ORT,
LOL.
Ian White