THE NBS UNIVERSAL PRE AMPLIFIER

Background
There are not very many 2-channel preamps in the world which support both balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs. There are even fewer that sound very good. Our intention is to provide a line level control unit which is simple, but not too simple; can be used anywhere in the world with no adjustments; and is musically transparent. It has enough features to be useful but not a lot of extraneous functions which no one ever actually uses.

Implementation
The NBS Universal Preamplifier uses absolutely state-of-the art monolithic circuits throughout. Modern engineering combined with advanced semiconductor processes allow performance which cannot realistically be achieved in discrete-component designs. High quality 4-layer circuit boards allow control of signal routing and grounding which cannot be achieved in hand-wired designs. The volume control function and all switching are performed electronically resulting in perfect volume control tracking and nothing to wear out or become noisy. The only mechanical contacts in the signal path are the input and output connectors. This is not a "retro" product. We respect history but we do not worship it.

The power supply design is similar to, but on a much smaller scale than, the power supply system of the NBS Universal Power Amplifier. It is power-factor-corrected. This means that the harmonic distortion of the mains current drawn by the unit is very low. This results in less coupled noise between mains circuits and signal circuits. Further, the unit may simply be plugged in anywhere in the world without any voltage adjustment.

The housing is entirely of machined aluminum like other NBS electronic products. The power system is housed separately from the audio. The status of the volume and input selection is indicated with LEDs. The brightness of the LEDs is automatically reduced in a dark room.

The sound of the preamp is completely neutral and transparent to the input signal. The music is conveyed completely with as high quality as the recording allows. There is not much else to say about it.