YBA SIGNATURE CLASSIC PRE

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows some signs of wear. One of the power supply LEDs is not working. Supplied with remote control and original packaging.

The first-generation YBA Signature Pre is one of those preamplifiers that truly represents a specific era of European high-end audio, when absolute priority was given to signal quality. Designed by Yves-Bernard André, it was conceived as the central hub of a reference-level system, built to remain relevant over time and to partner seamlessly with top-tier power amplifiers and sources.

The design philosophy is rigorous and fully consistent with the YBA tradition. The Signature Pre is conceived as a multi-chassis unit. This choice is not aesthetic but functional, as it allows a drastic reduction of electrical and magnetic interference, improving background silence and overall signal stability.

The line stage is fully analog and built using discrete circuitry, with no commercial integrated circuits. The signal path is extremely short and global feedback is intentionally kept low, in line with the YBA approach, in order to preserve timbral coherence and naturalness. The result is a highly transparent sound, free from obvious coloration, with a wide and stable soundstage and particularly lifelike vocal reproduction. This is not a preamplifier designed to impress through spectacular effects, but rather to create a sense of continuity between source and power amplifier, as if the electronics were “disappearing” from the system.

It includes an integrated phono stage for MM cartridges, designed with the same level of care as the line section. RIAA equalization is very accurate and background noise is surprisingly low, making this input perfectly suitable even for high-quality turntables and cartridges.

Specifiche tecniche:

• Type: analog stereo preamplifier
• Design: Yves-Bernard André
• Architecture: multi-chassis construction
• Circuitry: fully discrete
• Phono input: MM (Moving Magnet)
• Line inputs: RCA and 1 balanced XLR
• Outputs: RCA and balanced XLR
• Line gain: approximately 6 dB
• Frequency response: extremely linear, extending beyond the audio band
• Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.005%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: greater than 100 dB
• Power supply: linear, oversized, separate
• Width: approximately 44 cm
• Depth: approximately 40–45 cm
• Height: approximately 15–18 cm per chassis
• Total weight: approximately 25–30 kg