The Black Cube II combines the best assets of our popular Black Cube family: the proven quality of our evergreen Black Cube, upgraded by the high-class connectors and the representative enclosure of the Black Cube SE II.
Like its predecessors, the Black Cube II makes shine virtually all MM and MC pickup systems available on the market, eliciting from your favourite music the complete sound spectrum of the original recording. Owing to the lavishly configurable bass filter with sixteen different settings, the Black Cube II can be perfectly tailored to your tonal preferences. Its peerless dynamics let you rediscover old and new recordings – as if it was your first time!
The ultra precise, passive RIAA filter network of the Black Cube II sits between two linear gain stages and is realised using super-grade, high-transient, closely toleranced polypropylene foil caps. Hence this phono preamp offers the impressive, pure sound image of the premium device league at an attractive entry-level price tag.
Our new classic boasts a custom-designed power supply for a wide, distortion-free dynamic range. The enclosure of the Black Cube II consists of a non-magnetic material (aluminium) and is dampened unter the lid. The professional input stages of the latest generation ensure an outstandingly accurate, punchy, low-noise reproduction. The audio section is equipped with additional subassemblies for an efficient hum, HF and noise suppression. Its dual-sided audio board allows an optimised trace layout for an exceptionally smooth operation.
The Black Cube II can be flexibly adapted to almost any system: each channel offers a slot for the solderless fitting of a custom impedance, plus there is an extra hard-wire slot with immediate effect. If you would like to get some resistors for matching your personal chain to the Black Cube II, we will include them free of charge with your order.
Owing to its high-quality front panel options (silver, black or chrome-plated), the Black Cube II also cuts a fine visual figure in your hi-fi rack, together with Linear & Co. – the perfect gateway to this equipment class.
The impressing technical details of the Black Cube II.
| Black Cube II | |
| Sensitivity for output level 775 mV/ 0 dB (with activated high gain switch) Gain 1 kHz Maximum input level 1 kHz Signal to noise ratio (RMS unweighted) |
MM: 3.8 mV/1 kHz; MC: 0.38 mV/1 kHz MM: 46 dB; MC: 66 dB MM: 45 mV; MC: 4,5 mV MM: 71 dB; MC: 63 dB |
| Gain | 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB |
| Channel separation | > 85 dB at 10 kHz |
| Input impedance | 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms 1 x custom load 1 x hardwire slot |
| Output impedance | 47 ohms |
| Input capacitance | 100 pF |
| Channel mismatch | typ. 0.5 dB |
| Bass filter | 16 settings between 7 Hz and app. 90 Hz |
| Power consumption | < 3 W |
| Outer dimensions W x D x H | Audio section: 114 mm x 124 mm 50 mm Power supply: 70 mm x 115 mm x 55 mm |
| Weight | Audio section incl. cable to power supply: 0.65 kg netto Power supply: 0.3 kg netto |
| Sensitivity for output level 775 mV/ 0 dB (with activated high gain switch) Gain 1 kHz Maximum input level 1 kHz Signal to noise ratio (RMS unweighted) |
|
| MM: 3.8 mV/1 kHz; MC: 0.38 mV/1 kHz MM: 46 dB; MC: 66 dB MM: 45 mV; MC: 4,5 mV MM: 71 dB; MC: 63 dB |
|
| Gain | |
| 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB | |
| Channel separation | |
| > 85 dB at 10 kHz | |
| Input impedance | |
| 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms 1 x custom load 1 x hardwire slot |
|
| Output impedance | |
| 47 ohms | |
| Input capacitance | |
| 100 pF | |
| Channel mismatch | |
| typ. 0.5 dB | |
| Bass filter | |
| 16 settings between 7 Hz and app. 90 Hz | |
| Power consumption | |
| < 3 W | |
| Outer dimensions W x D x H | |
| Audio section: 114 mm x 124 mm 50 mm Power supply: 70 mm x 115 mm x 55 mm |
|
| Weight | |
| Audio section incl. cable to power supply: 0.65 kg netto Power supply: 0.3 kg netto |
|
The Black Cube II is available with three faceplate finishes.
Aluminium (silver)
"My listening session with the Black Cube ends up being lengthier than anticipated, but it’s for the right reasons. I can’t quite believe how good it sounds … It’s fast, agile, remarkably light on its feet and wonderfully transparent."
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"And so it really let the music burgeon freely. The “Moldau“ of Smetana’s “Ma Vlast“ (all samples in the vinyl section) was jauntily gurgling from its sources, bouncing over rapids to finally flow so wide and majestic towards the end. In a highly dynamic way the Black Cube II let the “Running Man“ rush ahead, and the exquisite wealth of colours of the delicate jazz on Eva Kruse’s “New Legend“ was also shimmering and shining."
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