Announcing another remarkable Allnic achievement!
ALLNIC AUDIO’S
H-10000 OTL/OCL SIGNATURE
PHONO-STAGE PREAMPLIFIER
Kevalin Audio is pleased to announce US availability of the new, flagship Allnic H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage. An OTL/OCL (Output Transformer-Less/Output Capacitor-Less) design omits the usual coupling transformer or capacitor at the output stage of the vacuum tube amplifier, thus reducing distortion, coloration, and energy loss. It unprecedented for an OTL/OCL circuit to be used in a phono-stage, which requires a level of amplification much higher than that of a line-stage preamplifier.
H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage
Following his other achievements with OTL/OCL designs, line-stages such as the new L-10000 OTL/OCL Signature (product page link: https://www.kevalinaudio.com/product-page/l-10-000-otl-ocl) and HPA-10000 OTL/OCL Headphone amplifier/preamplifier (product page link: https://www.kevalinaudio.com/product-page/hpa-10-000-otl-ocl-line-stage-headphone-amplifier)
HPA-10000 OTL/OCL Headphone amplifier/Line-stage preamplifier
and the award-winning, world’s first OTL/OCL DAC, the D-10000 OTL/OCL DAC (Product page link: https://www.kevalinaudio.com/product-page/allnic-d-10-000-otl-ocl-dac-an-industry-first),
KS Park, Allnic’s founder and lead developer, has created a true tour-de-force phono-stage with the H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage.
H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage
With sound quality we believe among the few, very, very best phono-stages on the market, the H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature is a masterpiece of innovative audio electronics engineering and a beautiful piece of industrial design, blending class-leading sonics, visually stunning form and real convenience of use for such an exceptional product.
Like all Allnic’s phono-stages, except the smallest, the Allnic H-5500 (Link to product: https://www.kevalinaudio.com/product-page/h-5500-phone-preamp), the H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature has separate power supply and amplification units, the power supply being solid state is optimal for this amplification design using a total of 16 tubes in two gain stages – super-fast, reliable and extremely quiet.
H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage detail
Silver-wired, built-in MC step-up transformers (SUTs) are a primary feature of the H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature. Allnic's phono-stage preamplifiers and step-up transformers initially became famous because they used permalloy, with its high permeability, as the transformer core. Then, the performance of the SUTs was further improved by making the coils with silver wire, which has a higher conductivity than copper creating significant benefits for sound quality. The H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature allows you to select the amplification factor and input impedance from four options on easily hand-adjusted controls located conveniently on the top of the chassis.
The same silver wound step-up transformers used in the H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature are available as upgrades to other Allnic phono-stages and in a stand-alone version, the AUT-8000, offering even more flexibility (Link to product: https://www.kevalinaudio.com/product-page/allnic-aut-8000-silver-wound-mc-step-up-transformer).
The H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature possesses a suite of other desirable features, controls for which are located on its front panel. There is an input selector dial for four inputs, two for moving coil and two for moving magnet cartridges. Below that dial are two pairs of knobs that control the selection of not only the standard EQ RIAA curve, but also other phono curves, such as the original Decca and the Columbia curves. Four balance meters, two for the right and left channels of each of the two gain stages, monitor whether DC is involved during the amplification process. On the rear panel, users will be happy to see both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR output connections which can be used simultaneously.
H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage back panel
The sophisticated specialist new Flagship Allnic H-10000 OTL/OCL Phono-stage is a truly remarkable home analog audio device, sure to bring joy to any lover of analog music reproduction.
MRSP: $45,000 USD.
Please call or email our staff at Kevalin Audio to discuss the new Allnic H-10000 OTL/OCL Signature Phono-stage, or any other Allnic product, and purchase details.
INTRODUCING ALLNIC AUDIO’S
ACCLAIMED LINEUP OF
PHONO-STAGE PREAMPS AND ACCESSORIES
Welcome! Before you move on to read below about the complete line of Allnic’s distinctive, highly-rated tube phono-stages, please consider two new products sure to enhance any analog system.
Allnic has recently released a Mu-8R phono cable. The new phono cable’s debut follows customers’ and professional reviewers’ rave and award netting assessments of Allnic’s ZL-Technology audio cables, both the original Mu-7R and the new Mu-8R series of interconnects, phono cables and speaker cables.
Allnic Mu-8R Custom phono cable for low internal impedance cartridges (<10 ohms).
Allnic Mu-8R Standard phono cable for all cartridge types.
We’re certain that the Mu-8R phono cable will garner similar praise and accolades.
Like all MU-8R cables, the Mu-8R phono cable has both silver and copper conductors. In addition, it utilizes all other features of Allnic’s ZL Technology cables, including Mu-metal for incredibly effective EMI and RFI blocking braided shielding and high temperature (1000 degrees C!) welding of cable to Allnic’s custom terminations.
Uniquely though, the Mu-8R phono cable comes in two “flavours”: the standard version is intended to work exceedingly well with all MC and MM cartridges, but Allnic has also created a custom order cable that will bring out the absolute best in cartridges that have an internal impedance of 10 ohms or less.
Both the standard and custom versions of the MU-8R phono cable are available with either strait DIN (or 90* DIN) to RCA or RCA to RCA terminations. The Mu-8R phono cable price is the same for both versions: $1595 for the regular 1.5m length (contact for custom length pricing (+$200/0.5m).
ALLNIC’S NEW
AUT-8000 SILVER
MC STEP-UP TRANSFORMER
Allnic has improved its moving-coil step-up transformers, now available as a separate device that can be used with all Allnic or any other manufacturer’s phono-stages, the AUT-8000 Silver, or as replacement MC transformer towers to upgrade the Allnic H-5500, H-6500 and H-7000 phono-stages (all new production of the flagship H-8000 DHT (Direct-Heated Triode) come with the “silver SUTs” as standard).
Allnic analogue specialist’s H-8000 DHT Phono-stage with Power Supply
The new, in-house manufactured Allnic MC step-up transformers feature pure silver wire windings on Allnic’s famous permalloy transformer cores. The silver windings provide increased resolution and dynamics, soundstage three-dimensionality and instrument and voice “substance” and “body”. They are truly a “step-up” (apologies) from the standard copper-wound SUTs and will make any Allnic phono-stage preamp provide even more lifelike sound than that for which they have been universally praised by reviewers and users.
The stand-alone AUT-8000 Silver now features variable impedance loading!
The stand-alone AUT-8000 Silver replaces the AUT-2000, which featured copper windings on the transformers, as do all Allnic’s phono-stages (besides the H-8000 DHT) and features not only the silver-wound SUTs but also enhanced flexibility. Only the H-7000 with the Silver SUT option has this flexibility integrated into its circuitry!
The AUT-8000 Silver sports variable impedance loading (the same as on the H-7000/H-7000V phono-stages) and dual MC inputs, allowing the user to connect two tonearms.
The AUT-8000 Silver has a single pair of unbalanced (RCA) output connections and a ground post and comes in customer’s choice of a rugged silver or black aluminum chassis.
The quality is superb and has me entranced…….dead quiet and to my surprise, fantastic out of the box.
In fact, for a new SUT to sound so perfect is almost weird….
Thank you so much for such a wonderful gift
J.D.L. May, 2023
Link to AUT-8000 Silver product page
Whatever your choice, as a replacement, upgrade SUTs for your current Allnic phono-stage ($1500 USD – transformer towers only: not including labour, if retrofitted to an older unit) or incorporated into the highly flexible, stand-alone AUT-8000 Silver ($4800 USD), Allnic’s new, in-house manufactured silver wire-wound step-up transformers will elevate your vinyl rig to a higher level of performance, proving a “silver-lining” for your system, gracing it with even more clarity and realism, clearing away clouds you may not even have realized were there.
And finally, a bonus NEW PRODUCT PROTOTYPE teaser. Following the success of Allnic’s breakthrough, award-winning OTL/OCL preamps and world’s first OTL/OCL DAC, the D-10000, KS Park has completed the first prototype of a new, breakthrough flagship product – the H-10000 OTL/OCL phono-stage!
Allnic’s current flagship phono-stage, the H-8000 DHT, is a true world-class, analog specialists’ product. It is simply stunning in every way, and when we think about an Allnic flagship phono-stage employing the benefits of Allnic’s OTL/OCL design we cannot wait to hear the H-10000 OTL/OCL when it goes into production!
TRANSFORMING ANALOG AUDIO
Allnic Audio’s Acclaimed Phono Preamps
Allnic Audio has become justifiably well-known for all its products, but analog has been a specialty from the beginning. There are specific principles behind the design of the Allnic phono-stages, and they all add up to customer satisfaction. That outcome can only be obtained by providing a base level of outstanding design and build quality across the product line, quality whose outcome is remarkable sound and that creates an unbeatable performance to price ratio.
Since the release of the long-discontinued but extremely successful H-1200 and through all the iterations of the phono-preamps, the production of fantastic sound quality has always been feature number one, and all the current Allnic phono-stages provide it, from the lowest cost but brilliant and award-winning H-5500, to the new H-6500 discussed here a few posts back, to the much-lauded H-7000/H-7000V, and finally the flagship H-8000 DHT. Reviewers and customers agree: no matter which Allnic phono-stage one uses, it is certain to transform the sound of one’s vinyl system, elevating it beyond expectations.
H-1200 Phono-stage, the “little giant”!
One fundamental reason for the outstanding sound quality of the Allnic phono-preamps has been the equalization method employed.
ALLNIC AND LCR TYPE RIAA EQUALIZATION:
RIAA equalization is a specification for the correct playback of vinyl records, established by the Recording Industry Association of America. The purpose of the equalization is to permit longer playback times and improve sound quality.
RIAA equalization is a form of establishing a flat frequency response for the playback of recorded music. The necessity for this equalization process arises from mechanical difficulties inherent in record production. To prevent the cutting needle from over-cutting into the next record groove in the bass, as a record is cut, some bass frequencies are attenuated. In the treble region, for high frequency sounds not to be masked by the noise inherent in moving a stylus over and through a modulated vinyl surface, some treble frequencies are boosted. With the application of the correct filtering techniques on playback, the result is a flat frequency response with better signal-to-noise ratios.
A little more explanation...
There are four de-emphasis methods that can be applied at playback:
⦁ Active filters (Negative feedback types):
Different quantities of negative feedback are applied, with deeper feedback to the high frequencies and shallower to the low frequencies. The benefits of this method are improved signal-to-noise ratios, low-cost and consistent operation. Some of the shortfalls are looser bass reproduction and possibly a pinched and compressed high frequency playback due to excess feedback ratios.
B. Passive filters (CR type) - used in the H-5500:
The frequencies are filtered to fit the RIAA specification by varying the amount of attenuation at different frequencies through a complex capacitor-resistor network. This technique results in no voltage overload, purer reproduction (because there is no feedback), and more accurate RIAA compensation. However, there can be problems because the system provides no gain, and insertion loss and impedance matching issues arise. Nonetheless, this is a preferred, common method and, well-executed in a device like the H-5500 that shares other exceptionally high-quality features with its larger siblings, will provide sound quality that meets Allnic’s and users’ rigorous standards.
⦁ Hybrid filters (use of both CR and negative feedback types):
In this method, both types of filters applied separately; an active filter is applied to the low frequencies and a passive filter to the high frequencies. Unfortunately, both the advantages and disadvantages of each of these two types of filters, already discussed, affect the playback system at the same time.
⦁ LCR filters, used in the H-6500, H-7000 / H-7000V, and H-8000 DHT:
Two pieces of a linear reactor (a kind of choke coil) comprise the main part of these filters, assisted by precise CR filters, to lower impedances and insertion loss.
In vacuum tube circuits, active and passive filters usually are operated on one hundred plus kilo ohms of impedance. An LCR RIAA filter's impedance is a constant 600 ohms.
Furthermore, an LCR RIAA filter's series resistance is less than 13 ohms (as a comparative, some famous ones are 31 ohms). The lower the impedance, the more dynamic is the sound reproduction, with better bass response and speed.
But LCR RIAA units have drawbacks as well. These drawbacks are high cost and the difficulty of impedance matching; the latter has been the primary hindrance to the commercialization of this superb method in the construction of phono stage amplifiers. However, Allnic Audio’s high quality LCR RIAA unit and has developed a 600 ohms impedance matching method. The H-7000V and the H-8000 DHT even provide user-variable LCR filter units, so records made prior to RIAA standardization can be played with appropriate filtering.
H-7000V SUT and Multi-curve LCR EQ units
One of the company’s fundamental principles is that the Allnic phono-stages should share certain high-quality features, features that are key contributors to the audio magic each product provides – which is why the H-5500, despite its lower cost and CR EQ, is not a “lesser” product. These shared features include:
⦁ High quality, genuine NOS tubes
⦁ The same in-house manufactured moving-coil step-up transformers (also found in the AUT-2000 SUT, now available with silver wiring, which is optional in the H-7000/7000V and standard in the H-8000 DHT)
⦁ Vacuum tube power supply regulation
⦁ Substantial aluminum chassis that reduce vibration and provide excellent shielding
⦁ In-house manufactured Permalloy transformers
⦁ Analog meter tube monitoring
These common design features are the primary bases for the outstanding excellence and value of ALL Allnic phono-stages’ exceptional analog sound reproduction.
THE CURRENT ALLNIC LINE-UP:
The award-winning H-5500, single-box, CR, multi-input, MM/MC-Phono-stage
Reviews and awards:
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2021/4/19/o2lovr350rdrcrezahhf8tcdfw3pa6
http://hifiknights.com/reviews/sources/allnic-audio-h-5500-phonostage/
https://hifiplus.com/articles/allnic-audio-h-5500-phono-stage/
The H-5500 features:
⦁ High-quality, NOS E180CC twin triode tubes
⦁ CR type RIAA equalization, precisely compensated within +/- 0.3dB
⦁ Automatic, all tube voltage regulation circuit, ensuring exceptionally stable and quiet operation
⦁ Allnic’s standard high-quality Moving Coil Step-up Transformers with Permalloy cores
⦁ MC transformers with variable gain (+22dB, +26dB, +28dB and +32dB)
⦁ Dual MM and MC inputs
⦁ RCA output
⦁ No negative feedback
⦁ Pure Class A operation
The newly introduced H-6500, LCR MM/MC Phono-stage with separate power supply
The H-6500 features:
⦁ LCR RIAA equalization
⦁ Pure vacuum tube, high-voltage regulation for each channel
⦁ Power supply unit separate from the phono-stage itself - a “tube-roller’s delight for rectifier tube options
⦁ Allnic’s standard high quality MC Step‐up Transformers with Permalloy cores for the H‐6500’s MC inputs
⦁ Dual MM and MC inputs
⦁ RCA and XLR outputs
⦁ No negative feedback
⦁ Pure Class A operation
ALLNIC’S NEW H-6500 PHONO-STAGE
RECEIVES A
PART-TIME AUDIOPHILE
The multiple award-winning H-7000/7000V, LCR MM/MC Phono-stage with separate power supply
Reviews and awards:
http://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2019/2/4/allnic-audio-h-7000v-tri-input-phono-stage
https://www.hammertoneaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Allnic-H-7000V-engl-PDF-1-19_.pdf
The H-7000/7000V offers:
⦁ LCR Equalization (variable in H-7000V)
⦁ All transformer coupled
⦁ No negative feedback design with only two gain stages
⦁ For superior signal to noise ratios, the H-7000/7000V is equipped with pure vacuum tube, high speed, automatic voltage regulation for each channel
⦁ Power supply unit separate from the phono stage itself – another “tube-roller’s delight for rectifier tube options
⦁ High quality (silver-wired available as an option) MC Step-up Transformers with Permalloy cores
⦁ Dual MM and MC inputs
⦁ RCA and XLR outputs
⦁ Pure balanced operation
⦁ Pure Class A operation
The unique, specialist’s H-8000 Direct-Heated Triode (DHT) LCR MM/MC phono-stage with 300B-based massive, separate power supply
The analog specialist’s Allnic flagship H-8000 DHT design features:
⦁ All transformer coupled with the exception of the first gain stage, the HL2K tube. In addition, the HL2, rs242, and 300B tubes and their tube sockets are all made by Allnic in-house!
⦁ No negative feedback design with three gain stages
⦁ A unique, massive power supply unit separate from the pure DHT phono-stage itself
⦁ High quality silver-wired MC Step-up Transformers with Permalloy cores
⦁ Dual MM and MC inputs
⦁ RCA and XLR outputs
⦁ New vacuum tube damping technology – Allnic Audio’s patented “Absorb GEL tube damper” technology prevents harmful vibrations from reaching the signal / gain tubes and, therefore, prevents micro-phonic noise propagation in the tubes
⦁ Pure Class A operation
⦁ Pure balanced operation
Please note that the H-8000 DHT will be discontinued in 2024! Only four left to be built as of January 2024!
Reviews and awards – coming soon!
Two more governing principles for all the Allnic phono-stages are flexibility and simplicity of use. In terms of flexibility, Allnic recognizes that vinyl fans may run more than one turntable or more than one arm on a table. Consequently, the Allnic phono-stages all provide multiple MM and MC inputs. This allows not only for the use of multiple arms and cartridges but also of outboard SUTs, or of the Allnic active head-amp, the HA-5000, should one so desire. As previously noted, the H-7000V and the H-8000 DHT also include variable equalization settings to accommodate the accurate playback of records from before the RIAA standard became ubiquitous.
H-6500 phono-stage rear panel
And none of these options are difficult to manage, which brings us to the next key design principle, ease of use. Sometimes it seems that the reproduction of sound from vinyl records can be as complex as one wants, but Allnic believes flexibility should not be made more difficult than necessary. As a result, all the Allnic phono-stages are built to facilitate easy use of their flexible features:
⦁ inputs are easily switchable from the front panel
⦁ MC step-up transformer gain settings are clearly marked on the top of each transformer tower and changed via a conveniently sized and easily turned knob
⦁ the impedance selector on the H-7000 models is of the same type, on an easily accessible tower with clear markings and an easily rotated selector
⦁ the equalization settings on the H-7000V and H-8000 are also managed by straightforward turning of a couple of top-of-the chassis, easily accessible knobs
SUTs on the H-6500
There are no DIP switches, no fiddling. Using the features of your phono-stage shouldn’t require you to be a rocket scientist or have tentacles for arms or jeweller’s tools for fingernails!
Summing up, whichever Allnic phono-stage you choose, you know that it is a true sibling of the others in the lineup, and that you have purchased an analog device that is meant to provide flexibility and ease of use, perform at the top of or above its price class and, most important, capable of transforming your vinyl system to make REAL MUSIC. Please read the recent review by Marc Phillips of the Allnic H-5500 phono-stage and Amber MC cartridge in Part-Time Audiophile - an excerpt here:
There are three ways to look at the excellence of this combo. First, it’s extremely affordable for the level of performance that you get. It’s just over $9000 for the pair, and with the $4000 Technics SL-1200G I was experiencing a complete analog rig that offered some truly great sound, period. I do have a lot of expensive analog gear in here at the moment, and I consider the Allnic Audio H-5500 and Amber to belong to the same tier of excellence as any of the lot.
Second, the Allnic Audio H-5500 and the Amber worked so well together, they became my first choice for the Technics. If you have an SL-1200G or an SL-1210GAE, this is my personal recommendation to you. What a rig. But there’s more to that, the idea that oh, if you have the H-5500 you need to use it with the Amber, or vice versa, as I’ve already mentioned. The H-5500 loved all the other cartridges I had around, and the Amber adored every phono stage…
Highly recommended, both of them. A pair of Reviewers Choice Awards, stat!
THIS is what we mean. Thank you, Mr. Phillips! Read the entire review at:
Allnic Amber cartridge
As always, to discuss purchasing an Allnic Phono-preamp or any Allnic product, for the first time or to move up the Allnic product line, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, John Ketcham, at Kevalin Audio. If you’re in Canada, please contact Don Corby at Corby’s Audio.
– and please, don’t forget: quality trades are always welcome.
USA:
Kevalin Audio
Corvallis, Oregon
Website link: Kevalin Audio
Email or call John Ketcham:
Email: info@kevalinaudio.com
Tel: +1 503–292–5592
Contact Page, Terms of Sales Agreement and List of USA Allnic Dealers HERE!
East End Hi-Fi
Coram, N.Y.
Website link: eastendhifi.com
Email or call Chris Russo:
Email: eastendhifi@verizon.net
Tel: +1 516.318.8076
For those in the great states of Texas and Oklahoma, Paul is one of the most knowledgeable individuals I have known over the past two decades. He has demonstrated consistent innovation in circuit design and is a respected consultant in the industry. Daylight roughly follows his store hours.
Many Moons Audio is authorized to sell anywhere in the USA except New York State. Also highly recommended equipment repair specialist.
Paul Hovenga
Manymoons Audio
918 313 8141
Canada:
Corby’s Audio
Freelton, Ontario
Website link: Corby’s Audio
Email or call Don Corby:
Email: info@corbyframing.ca
Tel: +1 905.689.1976
Toll free: 1.877.689.1976