Audio Valve Sunilda MM/MC tube phono stage - demo unit in excellent condition

This unit is a showroom demo in excellent condition. The unit provides two MM/MC inputs switchable on the front panel.  It comes with separated PSU and expensive NOS tubes (Philips Miniwatt E88CC and Telefunken ECC83) instead of the original 6922 resp. 12AX7 tubes. This unit is the very latest version (diamond version), was built in 2017 and comes with full warranty (except for the tubes). 

With the beginning of Autumn 2013 Audio Valve launched a new improved version of the SUNILDA phono stage. Helmut Becker - the designer - had the desire to increase the musical and technical features with some really interesting improvements almost into perfection. The complete layout has been re-designed and overworked.

With the Sunilda, Audio Valve is building some of the finest and affordable tubed products available. The Sunilda is a great example. Loaded with features, beautiful sonics, and a price that makes this phono stage a veritable bargain in the context of its' competition. The Sunilda uses two 12AX7 and 6922 each making it a tube roller's delight.

Inputs for 2 MC or 2 MM cartridges at the same time; ideal for the enthusiast with a 2 tables or a table with dual tonearms. Front panel controls for loading and capacitance. External power supply for superior isolation and on and on. The Sunilda is one terrific value.

Sundila is a three stage phono-preamplifier, based on 6922 (ECC88) and 12AX7 (ECC83) frame grid tubes, suitable for two MM- and MC-cartridges at the same time. Independently for the two phono inputs, impedance and capacitive load can be set separately and 'on-the -fly' while listening. Thus the user can easily configure the unit to match the features of the cartridge by selecting the optimal input resistance and capacitance for each input separately!

Switches in front are found for: MM/MC mode for each input; input 1 or 2; selectors are used to select different resistor and capacitive input loads.

In MM mode the gain will be 23 dB lower than MC and at a fixed input-impedance of 47 K.

In MC mode the preamp will have 20 dB higher gain and switchable input resistors and condensers. The RIAA de-emphasis is passive and split between the first and second stage. Dividing the RIAA network over two amplification stages lowers the insertion losses of the passive network dramatically. Furthermore, the design holds a total absence of feedback, thus increasing the overall dynamics.

Power supplies are solid state regulated. This is the best way to obtain a low noise and supply line with a very low impedance that will increase the performance in the lower frequency range. The power transformer is housed in a separate aluminum case.

Sunilda comes in an laser cut, 3mm thick steel, chassis in black or silver finish and has a case similar to the Eclipse line-amplifier. It is, therefore, physically impressive for a phono stage in terms of bulk and heft.

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As a business we have to collect 8% TAX from buyers in California.

SPECS:

• Gain: MM 41dB, MC 63dB (1Khz)
• Input selectable LOAD resistors: 47R, 100R, 220R, 470R, 1K, 47K (for MM only)
• Input selectable LOAD capacitors:  0p, 100p, 220p, 470p, 1000p
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 65 KHz +/- 3 dB
• Subsonic filter roll-off: 20 Hz
• Max output amplitude: 14V pk
• RIAA accuracy max.: +/- 0,18dB
• Distortion: MM 0.24%, MC 0.32% (1Khz - 2V out)
• Noise: MM - 63dB, MC - 73dB
• Circuit type: 3 stages single ended, buffered ouputs
• RIAA network: passive
• Tubes: 2x 6922 (6N1P),   2x 12AX7
• Mode functions: Stand-by and mute functions
• Power supplies: high accuray solid state regulated
• Power transformer: outside housed and shielded
• Power requirements: 115/230 - 245 AC - 50/60Hz
• Powerconsumption: Watts: 50 VA
• Dimensions WxHxD: 42x32x14 (same as Eclipse)
• Weight: 28 lbs

REVIEWS:

Michael Fremer of Stereophile:
"...Germany's AudioValve is building some of the finest and affordable tubed products available today. The Sunilda is a great example. Loaded with features, beautiful sonics, and a price that makes this phono stage a veritable bargain in the context of its' competition. The Sunilda uses 2 (two) 12AX7 and 6922 each making it a tube roller's delight. Personally, I've used Telefunken, Siemens, Mullard, Amperex, and RCA among others. The many different combinations of tubes make for an unlimited number of possibilities you might find satisfying. I've been listening your Sunilda you'll be hard pressed to buy more for its' price and perhaps even a couple thousand more. Inputs for 2 MC or 2 MM cartridges at the same time; ideal for the enthusiast with a 2 tables or a table with dual tonearms. Front panel controls for loading and capacitance. External power supply for superior isolation and on and on. The Sunilda is one terrific value...."

"...the AudioValve Sunilda is one of the most enjoyably tube-based phono preamps I’ve heard..."

Ken Kessler for Hi-Fi News:
"...the Sunilda pours forth the detail, the air, the sense of a 3-D space and the kind of control that's hard to fault..."

"...as you can imagine, competition in this sector is tough: really tough. I recently bought the AR PH5, and - love it though I truly do - I have to admit that it's shy of adjustability, and lacks the facility for a second turntable; this makes a pain in the arse if you like to fiddle about with cartridges and decks. Conversely, it's the choice if you don't fiddle around. EAR's phono offerings are always magical, from the least expensive to the sublimely dear; Quad's new valve phono amp is even more of a bargain than the Sunilda; Sutherland's PhD is the quitest phono stage I've ever heard. AS any show-goer will tell you, there are countless other superb phono amps to consider as well. The Sunilda however is genuienly special. It manages the combine the best balance of all of the above phono amps' virtues, sonically and practically, then doubles them up and sells them to you for a sane price...."