Townshend Allegri Reference Passive Pre Amp

[Zen Monkey]

I'll cut straight to the chase, this is the best pre amp I have ever heard. I've used Music First Audio passives in my system for many years, including, most recently, their fantastic Baby Reference V2 so I'm no stranger to passive designs but the Allegri Reference has blown me me away. It costs £12,000 and so I appreciate it is out of reach of most music lovers but those with deep enough pockets should seriously consider auditioning one in their system. It's a peculiar (and ugly, in my opinion) looking device with humongous feet but the sound it produces is staggeringly natural, effortless, open and..., well, just 'right'. With it in my system, I can turn the volume up so much higher than I ever could without the music sounding harsh or compressed or simply unpleasant. It's incredible. Definitely a keeper.

A few reviews:

https://daviddenyerpr.co.uk/2020/03...ws-townshends-allegri-reference-preamplifier/
https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/townshend-allegri-reference-passive-preamplifier
https://www.stereonet.com/uk/reviews/townshend-audio-allegri-reference-preamplifier-review
Does anyone else on these boards use one in their system?

 

[George 47]

No, and I would like to but for those with fewer funds the Icon PRO4 uses 4 David Slagle autoformers: https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/icon-pro-4-balanced-preamp.109881/

 

[DUVET]

No, and I would like to but for those with fewer funds the Icon PRO4 uses 4 David Slagle autoformers: https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/icon-pro-4-balanced-preamp.109881/

Was wondering when you would chip in .

 

[zeta4]

I'll cut straight to the chase, this is the best pre amp I have ever heard. I've used Music First Audio passives in my system for many years, including, most recently, their fantastic Baby Reference V2 so I'm no stranger to passive designs but the Allegri Reference has blown me me away. It costs £12,000 and so I appreciate it is out of reach of most music lovers but those with deep enough pockets should seriously consider auditioning one in their system. It's a peculiar (and ugly, in my opinion) looking device with humongous feet but the sound it produces is staggeringly natural, effortless, open and..., well, just 'right'. With it in my system, I can turn the volume up so much higher than I ever could without the music sounding harsh or compressed or simply unpleasant. It's incredible. Definitely a keeper.

A few reviews:

https://daviddenyerpr.co.uk/2020/03...ws-townshends-allegri-reference-preamplifier/
https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/townshend-allegri-reference-passive-preamplifier
https://www.stereonet.com/uk/reviews/townshend-audio-allegri-reference-preamplifier-review
Does anyone else on these boards use one in their system?

I do but then I had a hand in its design ie the transformers used. Glad you like it. Otherwise I dont want to comment on prices etc. Best
customers decide for themselves.

 

[hifinutt]

Yes max is sadly missed , thanks for write up .

 

[Zen Monkey]

I do but then I had a hand in its design ie the transformers used. Glad you like it. Otherwise I dont want to comment on prices etc. Best
customers decided for them selves.

In which case, you helped design a masterpiece. No other component has had me re-exploring my music collection with such eagerness. It's as if a veil has been removed from every album.

Incidentally, is there any truth to the essentiality of using F1 Fractal-Wire interconnects in order to take full advantage of the Fractal-Wire wound transformers or is that mere marketing spiel?

 

[zeta4]

In which case, you helped design a masterpiece. No other component has had me re-exploring my music collection with such eagerness. It's as if a veil has been removed from every album.

Incidentally, is there any truth to the essentiality of using F1 Fractal-Wire interconnects in order to take full advantage of the Fractal-Wire wound transformers or is that mere marketing spiel?

Thank you.

There's over 200 meters of fine copper wire in the transformer windings, so if there is a difference due to the fractal treatment your more likely to hear it with the transformer than with a few meters of interconnect. Second there's more to the interconnect ie its construction than just the wire treatment. I think thats what Max meant when he said they work best together. As always I would recommend that you try it for yourself.

I should say Max was my good friend for over 40 years but I was not a formal member of his company. We did cooperate though on lots of
interesting ideas which sadly may not see the light of day now. Its good to see Sue, Toni and Harriet keeping the company going. He would have
liked that.