CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA DUO

Cambridge Alva Duo is the reference phono stage of the Alva series, switchable for MM and MC cartridges, integrates a headphone output and volume control, as well as a subsonic filter and Eco mode

Description

Alva Duo is the reference phono stage for MM and MC cartridges

Cambridge Alva Duo is the switchable phono stage for MM and MC cartridges from the English brand Cambridge Audio, ideal for High End turntables but also for rediscovering Vintage cymbals and improving their sound quality.

The MM - and even more so MC - heads of turntables produce a low-level magnetic signal, which is why a preamplifier stage is needed to boost the signal to be able to send it to the amplifier. The challenge is to increase the signal gain without introducing noise.

The look of Alva Duo is extremely essential and functional: on the brushed aluminum front panel, within easy reach, we find the power button, the button for selecting the head (MM or MC), as well as a headphone output and the relative volume control.

The Alva series responds to the growing spread of Vinylmania and to rediscover the warmth of analogue sound, offering a line of products that includes, in addition to the Duo, the phono preamp for MM cartridges, two turntables – Alva ST and Alva TT V2 – and a cartridge Proprietary MC High End.

To reduce energy consumption, Eco mode consumes less than 0.5 W and has an automatic shut-off function after 20 minutes of non-use.

Alva Duo is the reference phono stage with an extremely warm and musical sound

Technical features

Alva Duo is a high quality phono stage, necessary for connecting turntables with both MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges to the line inputs of Hi Fi electronics, whether integrated amplifiers or active speakers . Separate inputs allow you to connect 2 turntables with different cartridges and choose which one to play via the switch button.

For intimate listening, Cambridge has integrated a 6.35mm headphone output with volume adjustable via the knob on the side.

Cambridge Duo is designed with surface-mounted internal circuitry to reduce unwanted noise. It also uses state-of-the-art switching power supplies with switching outside the audible frequency band to dramatically reduce hum.

When vinyl records are not perfectly preserved, small surface imperfections may produce low-frequency noise. The built-in subsonic filter is always active and helps reduce this type of noise.

Balancing helps manage any imbalances in the turntable head: the lack of calibration in a head could in fact cause a difference in sound level between the left and right channels.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum Power Consumption: 10W

Standby Consumption: <0.5W

Mains Inlet Voltage: 100-240V AC

Gain @ 1kHz:

39dB (Moving magnet)

60dB (Moving coil)

Nominal Output: 300mV

Sensitivity for Nominal Output:

3.35mV (Moving magnet)

305uV (Moving coil)

Equivalent Input Noise (A-Weighted):

~0.09uV (Moving magnet)

~0.08uV (Moving coil)

RIAA Curve Accuracy: +/- 0.3dB 30Hz – 20kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio Grounded Inputs ref. 1V Output (20Hz – 20kHz BW):

>90dB (Moving magnet)

>70dB (Moving coil)

THD+N 1kHz (20Hz – 20kHz BW):

<0.0025% (Moving magnet)

<0.020% (Moving coil)

Input Impedance:

47k Ohm (Moving magnet)

100 Ohm (Moving coil)

Input Capacitance: 100pF

Overload Margin: >30dB

Crosstalk @ 20kHz:

>85dB (Moving magnet)

>75dB (Moving coil)

Subsonic Filter Characteristics: -3dB @ 15Hz 12dB/octave

Dimensions (H x W x D): 48 x 215 x 159 mm

Weight: 0.95 kg