Cello Audio Palette Equalizer W/ Power Supply - Serviced

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General:
The Cello Audio Palette is arguably the highest quality equalizer ever made and they are rare to find on the market for sale. 

We've had a few over the years but most were the version that's also a preamp. This version is the true Palette EQ with no preamp functionality, the most desirable variant available. Past units have mostly sold to famous musicians and recording studios, as the Palette EQ is built to studio standards in both noise, performance, and build quality.

Engineers use it to tweak a recording to the next level before being released. Audiophiles use it to correct speakers or recordings that sub-optimal. 

The Palette comes with a dedicated power supply which helps keep the noise floor as low as possible. There's also a beefy large-gauge umbilical cord that connects the two units. This umbilical cord is included with this listing. It's super beautiful with brushed aluminum finish throughout, and a super high-quality feel to every single control.

This particular piece was serviced in-house to ensure reliability from a long time to come. This is a must for a piece like this.

As an option, you can select to include Female Fischer to Male XLR, or Male Fischer to Female XLR options, (or Both). 

Just as everything that leaves our shop it will be packaged with absolute care.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
This unit has installed custom clear side panels which offer a glimpse inside this piece of audio engineer art. The backs of the luxurious custom rotary controls can be seen in action from the sides.

Light marks are present on the top and rear panels. Some hardware has been replaced. Overall Condition is very good.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
NOTE: There are several controls and connectors on this Palette that are dummies. The Monitor/Center control on the front panel, the rear panel Monitor/Center switch, and both Monitor/Center L/R barrier strips have no connections. We speculate that these features were optional and not requested on this build.

This Palette received a quick tune up here at SkyFi. The obligatory capacitors replacements in the Palette and Master Supply had already been properly completed at some point in the past. We identified some damaged hardware inside of the unit, reversed some light modifications that had been made, and replaced any incorrect or heat stressed mounting hardware.

Ownership:
Second Owner

Connections:
Fischer inputs and outputs, IEC Power.

General Sound:
Big beautiful musical sound with little fatigue.

Cosmetic Condition:
7/10 = Good. One or two minor scratches. Well Maintained. See our detailed rating description here.

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

Included:
Equalizer, Power supply, Linking cable, Power Cord

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
25 kHz control: +/- 24 dB in 1.00 dB increments
5 kHz control: +/- 12 dB in 0.50 dB increments
2 kHz control: +/- 6 dB in 0.25 dB increments
500 Hz control: +/- 6 dB in 0.25 dB increments
120 Hz control: +/- 14.5 dB in 0.50 dB increments
15 Hz control: +/- 29 dB in 1.00 dB increments

Dimensions:
19"w / 7.4"h / 14.1"d (Audio Palette)
19"w / 3.9"h / 8.5"d (Master Supply)

Approximate Age:
1990

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

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.