Multiple stages of proprietary Octa-drive amplifier for high gain application

Our ultra-low noise Octa-drive amplification technology used in the Fulcrum preamplifier has set the highest standard in the industry. However, the gain of a line preamplifier is only about 10, but the amount of gain necessary for a phono preamplifier is in excess of 100000. For this reason, we have spent years of effort modifying the Octa-drive technology into super high gain amplifier, while preserving its extremely low noise property.

The result is the ultimate phono preamplifier with a record breaking signal to noise ratio of better than 105dB!The Igniculus is the only phono preamplifier that can provide effective resolution comparable to the best digital audio source.

Full differential, true balanced architecture

Just like every other Synaestec Audio product, the Igniculus is designed based on full differential amplifier circuit, which is truly balanced all the way from the input to the output. There is no single ended to balanced converter inside. Signal is routed through the circuit board using controlled impedance differential transmission line without using any jumpers or interruption. Therefore, the noise rejection property of the balanced circuit has been fully utilized.

Triple metal shield and mechanically isolated power supply

Phono amplifiers are having ten thousand times more gain than a line preamplifier, which also means that they are ten thousand times more sensitive to interference and noise pickup. We counteract this by applyingMu-metal magnetic shieldingdirectly over the low leakage toroidal transformers.Beside this, there is an additional layer offerromagnetic metal shielding case that blocks the every last bit of interference from going into the sensitive part of the amplifier.

Similar to our Fulcrum line preamplifier, the power supply unit of the Igniculusis installed inside 5mm thick solid aluminium compartment and mechanically isolated by high damping rubber suspensions. There are more than 90000uF of storage capacitance and over 30 stages of low noise power supply regulators, to provide the absolute pure DC for the amplifier circuit.

The legend reborn, EQ curve for historical record labels

Besides the standard RIAA EQ curve, the Igniculus offers three more EQ curves for the compatibility of those old record labels pre-dating the RIAA standardization. The Columbia "six eye", the Decca/London "FFRR" and the vintage EMI. The original sound of these legacy record companies can be resurrected by the use of the correct EQ curve.

Fully configurable, adaptive cartridge interface

Both the gain, input impedance and input capacitance of the Igniculus are selectable, through the switch panel hidden inside the roof window. These manual switches control the miniature relays located right alongside the input terminals, so that the signal path length can be kept to a minimum. There is no microprocessor or switch mode power supply anywhere inside the Igniculusthat might create noise or contamination.

Inputs:

2 symmetrical XLR

2 asymmetrical RCA

Input impedance:

Selectable 50 / 100 / 220 / 470 ohm

Selectable 10K / 22K / 47K / 100K ohm

MC cartridge

MM cartridge

Input capacitance:

Selectable 50 / 100 / 220 / 330 pF

Outputs:

1 symmetrical

1 asymmetrical

Output Impedance:

Output Impedance:

100 Ohm

50 Ohm

Gain:

Selectable 62 / 67 / 73 / 78 dB

Selectable 42 / 48 / 54 / 59 dB

MC cartridge

MM cartridge

Equalization curve:

Selectable RIAA / Columbia / Decca / EMI

Frequency response:

10Hz to 100KHz (+ /- 0.5dB)

THD + N:

<0.001%

Signal to noise ratio:

>105dBA

Channel separation:

>100dB

Power consumption:

60W

Weight:

32.5kg

Dimension:

485 mm x 485 mm x 143,8 mm (W x D x H)