CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA DUO

Pre owned. In excellent condition. Free from obvious signs of wear. Includes manual and original packaging.

The Cambridge Alva Duo is the reference phono stage of the Alva series, designed for MM and MC cartridges and ideal for those who want to get the most out of their vinyl recordings. Its versatility makes it suitable for both modern high-end turntables and vintage players, enhancing the sound quality of records with a clear and powerful signal.

MM and MC cartridges produce a very low-level magnetic signal, and the Alva Duo’s task is to amplify it without introducing noise, ensuring faithful and detailed playback. The design is sleek and functional: the brushed aluminum front panel features the power button, a switch for cartridge selection, a 6.35 mm headphone output with volume control, and all controls within easy reach.

The Alva Duo also integrates a constantly active subsonic filter that reduces low-frequency noise caused by surface imperfections on less-than-perfect records, and a balance system that compensates for any differences between the left and right channels due to imperfectly calibrated cartridges. Separate inputs allow connecting up to two turntables with different cartridges, selectable via a simple front-panel control.

Internal circuits are mounted on the surface to minimize unwanted noise, while the switching power supplies operate outside the audible frequency range, drastically reducing hum and interference. The Eco mode lowers power consumption to under 0.5 W and includes automatic shutdown after 20 minutes of inactivity, offering high audio performance while remaining energy efficient.

The Cambridge Alva Duo also allows direct headphone listening, providing an immersive experience without the need to go through the main amplifier. Its precise engineering and build quality, combined with rich, detailed, and balanced sound, make it a benchmark phono stage capable of satisfying even the most demanding audiophiles, despite its premium price.

Technical specifications:

• Maximum power consumption: 10 W; standby consumption: <0.5 W; mains voltage: 100-240 V AC
• Gain @ 1 kHz: 39 dB (Moving Magnet); 60 dB (Moving Coil)
• Nominal output: 300 mV
• Sensitivity for nominal output: 3.35 mV (Moving Magnet); 305 µV (Moving Coil)
• Equivalent input noise (A-weighted): ~0.09 µV (Moving Magnet); ~0.08 µV (Moving Coil)
• RIAA curve accuracy: ±0.3 dB 30 Hz – 20 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio, grounded inputs ref. 1V output (20 Hz – 20 kHz BW): >90 dB (Moving Magnet); >70 dB (Moving Coil)
• THD+N 1 kHz (20 Hz – 20 kHz BW): <0.0025% (Moving Magnet); <0.020% (Moving Coil)
• Input impedance: 47 kΩ (Moving Magnet); 100 Ω (Moving Coil)
• Input capacitance: 100 pF
• Overload margin: >30 dB
• Crosstalk @ 20 kHz: >85 dB (Moving Magnet); >75 dB (Moving Coil)
• Subsonic filter: -3 dB @ 15 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 48 x 215 x 159 mm
• Weight: 0.95 kg