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New Elac Alchemy PPA-2 Phono Preamp - Any Users?

D

Decibel_116

AK Subscriber
The developer of the Alchemy product line is now working with Elac and has announced a new line of products. The PPA-2 phono preamp looks interesting. It's design is a fully discrete balanced JFET architecture. It has a nice feature set to include two sets of inputs, adjustable gain (MM/MC), adjustable loading, mono switch, front panel selector switches and a convenient display. Since I tend to cartridge roll, the front panel controls could come in handy.

Curious if any of you AK'ers have tried one of these yet. I would be interested to hear thoughts and opinions from users on it. I am seriously considering one of these.

https://www.elac.com/product/ppa-2-phono-preamplifier/?r=us
 
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Decibel_116 said:
No one?
Click to expand...
I recently purchased one,and can say without hesitation,it is superb.
Now all I have experienced is a Chord,a Channel Islands and a Shirt Mani,so I don't have alot to compare it to,but it is not just marginally better but in another world better.
The bass is controlled and tight,soundstage is gigantic,and I'm hearing details that I've not heard in records I am very familiar with.
It's also extremely quite,I've tried it with a SoundSmith,a Clear Audio,and a MC Goldring.
To my ears the SoundSmith is the combo that fits my taste.
It's not very attractive but it is well built and very solid,it actually weighs about 12lbs,
I'll be happy with this for a long time.
 
nmoave said:
I recently purchased one,and can say without hesitation,it is superb.
Now all I have experienced is a Chord,a Channel Islands and a Shirt Mani,so I don't have alot to compare it to,but it is not just marginally better but in another world better.
The bass is controlled and tight,soundstage is gigantic,and I'm hearing details that I've not heard in records I am very familiar with.
It's also extremely quite,I've tried it with a SoundSmith,a Clear Audio,and a MC Goldring.
To my ears the SoundSmith is the combo that fits my taste.
It's not very attractive but it is well built and very solid,it actually weighs about 12lbs,
I'll be happy with this for a long time.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum!!!

I decided to go ahead and try one because of all the positive reviews of the Elac equipment from all the shows late last year. My evaluation is consistent with yours. I have had mine for about a week now. I am very pleased so far. My PPA-2 is connected to two turntables. Both are Technics SL-1200Gs. One currently has an Audio Technics ART9 and the other is running an ZYX RS30. Oustanding dynamics, extremely quiet, plenty of air. Nina Simone from the QRP pressing of "Little Girl Blue" sounds like she is in the room with me. I can hear literally hear her standing right in front of me with all the room ambience clear as day. Soundstage and imaging are first rate. I also tried it with my SL-1000mkII with the AT-33E. This cartridge has a certain majic about it with this particular Technics deck. It really comes alive with the PPA-2. Some notable features include inputs for two turntables, one of which is balanced, two sets of outputs, one balanced, the other unbalanced. Each input has independent adjustable loading. It has front panel switchable MM/MC gain, subsonic filter, mono all of which retain their settings when switching back and forth between turntables 1 and 2.

If you are in the market for a new phono stage, I highly recommend you check it out. If it meets your needs for gain and adjustability, you will not be dissapointed.
 
Where it is made? Face-plate is plastic or aluminum?
Two inputs are mentioned but I can see 3, two rca unbalanced + one balanced. More on that?
PPA-2-Gallery-Image-4-750x579.jpg
 
Only two two inputs at a time are switchable from the front panel. One of the inputs is back panel selected by DIP switch between balanced or unbalanced.
 
I'm not sure where it is made. Last year's model was made in the USA. I did not find a country of origin on the back panel. I will look in the owner's manual tonight.
 
Do you have a vested interest in the Elac Alchemy PPA-2?
Options get presented in a lot of threads that start centered on one product. Happens all the time.
 
sanlanman said:
Do you have a vested interest in the Elac Alchemy PPA-2?
Options get presented in a lot of threads that start centered on one product. Happens all the time.
Click to expand...

Yes, I own one. I am also the thread starter. I was only looking for opinions on the PPA-2 from actual users which I made clear. I did not solicit opinions on any other options. So, I do not know what you think your suggestion contributed to this thread.
 
jetstream said:
It's made in China:
43:37mins

So, no capacitance settings for the MM?
Click to expand...

No. It does not have the capability to adjust input capacitance. It does have continuously variable input impedance loading.via potentiometers on the rear panel. They are independent for each input.
 
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