Tempo Electric Pilotone Universal Mono Preamplifier

Sporting the definitive version of the audio circuit designed by the late Dr. Arthur Loesch, the Tempo Electric Universal Mono Preamplifier is a unique product in today's marketplace -- it offers the ability to decode the EQ setting of any record ever recorded since the late 1880s, when commercial playback media first appeared.
Prior to 1954, when the RIAA curve was adopted by the recording industry as the de facto standard, there were dozens of equalization (EQ) curves in use. Some were standardized in-house by label, while others were improvised on the spot by the recording engineer. For the vintage LP and 78 collector, restoring the EQ curve that matches the original recording is critical to enjoying the music as it was intended to be heard. A few widely used settings were often included in hi-fi components from the 1950s, but deviations from the RIAA curve are rare in modern gear. The Tempo Electric Universal Mono Preamplifiers change all of this by incorporating the most comprehensive choice of user-friendly EQ settings available today.
The audio circuit is the same design that was the basis of the now-discontinued Arthur Loesch 1.1 Control Preamplifier, rated "Class A" by Art Dudley in Stereophile, and about which the Bound For Sound Audio Report devoted two extensive reviews. The original circuit was modified by Dr. Loesch to add variable bass (Turnover) and treble (Roll-Off) filters. With 12 bass and 12 treble restoration points, a total of 144 different equalization curves (including RIAA) are possible. With the right combination in place, vocals and instruments are fully restored to their proper balance.
The Universal Mono preamps are available in five different configurations, of which the Pilotone is the mid-level version; the Le Minimum and Le Minimum Plus are phono only and the Pilotone, Enigma, and Silvermine are complete (full function) preamps that include one active and two passive line stage inputs. Two complete units are required for stereo.
Please note that these models are not "phono stages," but complete phono-based preamplifiers. While you can use them with the passive or dummy input of a line stage or other preamplifier, they are designed to be stand-alone units that connect directly to your power amplifier(s) and will not sound right when their output is fed into an active line stage. Because of their high gain circuit, they do not require a step-up transformer or pre-preamplifier ahead of the phono inputs.
The Pilotone offered here includes the features mentioned below and can be customized with a variety of upgrades:

• A 3-stage phono circuit, for a total of +60dB of gain, suitable for use with any moving coil phono cartridge without a step-up transformer
• A Plate Voltage Adjustment control, with dedicated panel meter, for the first stage tube
• Multiple phono inputs (3 are shown and up to 6 are possible), add $50 as shown
• Optional L-Pad attenuators in any -dB fitted onto any of the phono inputs to bring the level of very high output cartridges, such as the London Decca and Pierre Clement, into a more useful range with the primary volume control
• Front panel selectable cartridge loading resistors in 11 popular values
• Provision for a 12th custom phono load resistor in any value, including fractional values
• Variable cartridge capacitance loading from 50pF to 350pF in 50pF steps (custom values on request)
• One Active Line Stage, with +14dB of gain
• Two Passive Line inputs (no gain circuit) connected directly to the volume control
• Kimber Ultra-PlateTM RCA Sockets
• Two Main Output sockets in parallel, so that mono signals can be played on a stereo system
• A Record Out socket that bypasses the volume control for recording the output to another device
• Double-thick, 0.125" circuit boards with extra heavy traces for low internal resistance
• Pure silver, Teflon-insulated signal wire throughout the audio stage
• Heavy gauge, Teflon-insulated, silver-plated copper wire throughout the power supply
• Alternate voltages for worldwide use
• 15A Male IEC connector on the power supply for use with custom and worldwide power cords
• All units are assembled by hand in our workshop in Troy, NY, USA, with 95% of the parts sourced from USA and European manufacturers

Because these units are essentially made to order, this is an advanced sale with (as of December 1st, 2019) delivery in mid-to-late January 2020.

The listing price is for the Pilotone base model with 2 phono inputs. Detailed specifications can be found on our website at TempoElectric.com/mono.htm. Please feel free to contact us for further information. Thank you!