YBA 2 PRE

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows some minor signs of wear. Original packaging included.

The YBA 2 preamplifier represents the culmination of Yves-Bernard André’s design expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Its elegant, slim-line design, with a blue-anodized aluminum front panel and chassis cover, echoes the lines of the renowned YBA 2 HC amplifier, combining refined aesthetics with advanced functionality. Although it lacks a mono switch, the dual volume controls allow easy channel balancing, while the toggle switches for each input – Tape, Aux, Video, CD, Tuner, and Phono – ensure fast and intuitive selection, with input priority in case multiple selections are made. The “Bypass” function allows direct access to the phono stage, minimizing the signal path and reducing the number of components involved.

The phono stage is designed for MM cartridges, but an optional transformer is available for low-output MC models, connecting directly to the rear RCA jacks. The large C-core transformer is housed in a separate module and delivers 55V AC to the preamplifier via a three-pin XLR cable. Internally, the YBA 2 features a tidy and compact layout, with a printed circuit board occupying almost the entire available area and a central module for the line stage, flanked by 4700µF, 63V reservoir capacitors, sixteen in total, ensuring stable power even minutes after the preamplifier is switched off. The center-tapped AC from the transformer is rectified to ±30V DC and filtered down to ±22.5V, with additional isolation and filtering for the line and phono stages. Yves-Bernard André prefers a complementary and symmetrical approach, without voltage regulators, believing that an optimal signal path layout and common-mode rejection eliminate noise, parasitic currents, and power supply ripple.

The phono stage is directly coupled via capacitors and transistors, without series resistors or inductors, and its two main PCB areas are physically separated to reduce crosstalk. Component quality is high: gold-plated, non-magnetic RCA jacks; Noble triple volume-control potentiometers with sections connected in parallel to reduce contact resistance; ERO polypropylene and polystyrene signal-path capacitors; and premium Holco resistors. Attention to detail is evident in damping felt between complementary phono-stage transistors and copper shielding for output pairs to prevent RF interference. All switches and potentiometers are coated with a rubber-like damping compound, and, as with all YBA components, optimal AC plug orientation affects performance.

Sonically, the YBA 2 excels at conveying the signal with transparency, neutrality, and musicality. The line stage delivers a balanced and detailed tonal signature, while the phono section performs excellently, particularly suited for vinyl-based systems. Its build quality and meticulous design make this preamplifier a reference component for preserving the musical integrity of every source, ensuring a natural, expansive, and engaging sound without adding grain or distortion. It combines technical precision with listening pleasure, making it ideal for long-term use in demanding hi-fi setups.

Specifications:

• Type: Stereo solid-state, full-function preamplifier
• Inputs: 5 line, 1 phono, 1 tape loop
• Frequency response: 5 Hz–400 kHz, -0.2 dB line; 5 Hz–60 kHz, -0.2 dB phono
• Input sensitivity: 2 mV RMS MM phono; 150 mV RMS line (for 1 V output)
• Input impedance: 47 kΩ MM phono; 100 kΩ line
• Output impedance: ±20 Ω
• Maximum output: 8 V RMS
• RIAA overload: 2.2 V RMS
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 100 dB line; 90 dB MM phono (ref. 1 V output @1 kHz)
• Absolute polarity: inverting
• Power supply: separate module 120 mm W x 300 mm D x 75 mm H
• Preamplifier dimensions: 430 mm W x 330 mm D x 75 mm H; MC phono module adds 75 mm depth
• Weight: 5 kg