Allnic H-5500 Tube Phono Preamp

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General:
This stellar tube phono preamp from Allnic is a must for owners of multiple turntables.

It features two pairs of MC (Moving-Coil) inputs and two pairs of MM (Moving-Magnet) inputs, so you can connect multiple turntables to one system easily. To switch inputs its as simple as twisting the front dial. It also features a backlit current meter.

This particular unit is fitted with some vintage GE and Mullard tubes to add to the collectability. Also at some point the 7233 tube socket was adjusted so it could accept the much more common Russian 6N19P tube. Very nice upgrades!

It will include its original box and the owner's manual.

More from Allnic:
The H-5500 replaces the outgoing H1202 with a number of significant improvements. Firstly it sports an all aluminum chassis. Gone is the stubby taller fascia of its predecessor and now we have a wider smarter look, more in keeping with its elder siblings and the new OTL/OCL preamps.

Like all Allnic Audio products, the H5500 uses Permalloy (iron and nickel alloy) for its transformer cores. As per it’s predecessor and indeed the original H1200, it employs four NOS E180CC twin triode tubes from the days of early computing, a staunch and highly robust choice that simply can’t be improved upon and which is much favoured by Kang Su Park.

Like the 1202, this new preamp also uses a 7233 voltage regulator tube and a 5654 for voltage correction in a far superior tube power supply. A pure class A design with no negative feedback it offers 278Ω, 117Ω, 69Ω, and 29Ω loading settings, selectable from the chassis mounted rotational pots, each of which is tied to a specific gain factor. Soft start function, a convenient mute switch and single ended input and output connectivity at the rear complete the specs.

Functionality has also been improved; the H5500 offers users dual MC and dual MC inputs so up to four cartridges can be accommodated at any one time. The fascia has also been adorned with Allnic’s famed power meter, normally reserved for more expensive products. The meter is very useful in indicating and quickly diagnosing tube replacement or failure.

On the sonic side there is of course a host of significant developments over the previous H1202. First of all the power transformer has been upgraded and the unit has also been furnished with the same step up transformers from the H7000 and flagship H8000 !

Build quality and finish is also up to the usual very high standard we have come to expect from Mr. KS Park. Available in silver or black. 2 year warranty on all Allnic Audio Products , 1 year on factory supplied tubes.

The H-5500 uses the same NOS tube set as its predecessor, the H-1202, but in a more feature and value packed chassis.

The H-5500 sports:
- two pairs each of MM and MC inputs
- Mu-metal shielding to increase SNR
- a power supply capacity double that of the H-1202 for more drive, better bass and better balance across the full frequency range
- a current meter for monitoring tube status
- larger, heavier and more solid aluminum casework that is more resistant to vibration
- High-quality, NOS E180CC twin triode tubes
- CR type RIAA equalization, precisely compensated within +/- 0.3 dB
- Automatic, all tube voltage regulation circuit, ensuring exceptionally stable and quiet operation
- High quality Moving Coil (MC) Step-up Transformers with Permalloy cores
- MC transformers with variable gain (+22dB, +26dB, +28dB and +32dB)
- No negative feedback design
- Pure Class A operation

SkyFi Technical Notes:
Tube Notes: At some point in the past the wiring for the 7233 tube socket was adjusted to accept the more common Russian 6N19P. The other tubes are vintage GE and Mullard. All phono stage signal path tubes are strong and balanced. We've also taken the time to arrange the tubes in the circuit for optimal channel balance.

Brand Background:
Allnic Audio Labs, founded in 1990 by Mr. K.S. Park, is based in South Korea. Previously, Mr. Park co-founded Silvaweld, a company renowned in its time for transformer-coupled and single-ended-triode tube designs.

After great success as head designer at Silvaweld, Kang Su Park went solo to pursue his masterplan. Allnic Audio Labs was formed with the intention of matching and, indeed, exceeding the heights achieved by any tube amp companies.

Mr. Park has not failed in his goals. We believe he has created some of the world’s finest valve equipment. His designs are truly unique, employing highly unusual tubes and design techniques which are simply too difficult or costly for others to even consider.

Working with direct heated triodes, hand wound nickel alloy transformers, LCR RIAA equalisation, output transformer-less and output capacitor-less circuitry, Kang Su is one of the industry’s master innovators.

Legacy pieces like the astonishingly capable H-1201 and the ‘impossible to build’ H-5000 – tiny moving coil voltages married with normally noise ridden DHT tubes – will go down as landmarks in the Hifi halls of fame.

The Allnic sound elicits all the superlatives that can be levelled at the very best vacuum tube designs but with an extra dynamism and sense of life which is rare at any price. Spookily natural and ‘at ease’, Allnic equipment removes itself from the mind’s eye and allows a deep and unhindered connection to the music.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
A total of 4 pairs of RCA inputs (2 for MM and 2 for MC). One pair of RCA outputs. A ground connection.

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit and Manual

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
Frequency Response- 20Hz ~ 20kHz (±0.3dB)
Voltage Gains- MM +38dB (1kHz) MC +22, +26, +28, +32dB (1kHz)Input Impedance- MC variable up to 280Ω; MM 47 kΩ
Maximum Input Voltage- (MM, non-clipping): 20Hz / 30mV, 100Hz / 60mV, 1kHz / 300mV, 10kHz / 500mV
Total Harmonic Distortion- Less than 0.3% (1kHz, Output 1V)
Output Impedance- 1.2 kOhm
S/N Ratio-68dB (CCIR, 1kHz)
Tubes- E180CC x 4, 7233 x 1, 5654 x 1
Fuse- AC 2A, 250V

Dimensions:
430mm (17 inches) x 260mm (10.25 inches) x 170mm (6.7 inches)

Weight:
18 lbs.

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.