Convergent Audio Technology CAT SL1 Legend Preamp

Wojciech Pacuła has posted a review of the Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Legend preamplifier on the Polish audiophile websit High Fidelity. Although English is not the author’s first language, the review is very informative and has the added bonus of lots of close-up photographs. Here is a preview:

The inside of the device is really filled up from bottom to the top. It is clear that there are two very similar parts – line stage and phono stage. Both are based on tubes – two 6922 in input, two 12AX7 and single 6922 in the output. 6922 tubes come from Electro-Harmonix, and 12AX7 are NOS tubes from Yugoslavian Ei. The Legend's phono stage uses in the input section a special low-gain step-up transformer with CAT's logo on it (MCM-1) that in conjunction with an initial moving-magnet stage delivers 58dB of gain. The transformer can be set for an additional 6dB of gain, but this is only recommended by CAT's designer for cartridges whose internal impedance is under 10 ohms – so my Air Tight PC-1 Supreme could benefit from it. Because of its low gain, the transformer's response is much flatter than that of others - drifting less than 0.02dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. The whole circuit board is filled with polypropylene capacitors marked with CAT's logo. Line stage looks similar but it doesn't include RIAA circuit and input transformer. Its gain is lower though – it's just 26 dB. Gain is adjustable via a switch inside the control unit, which reduces it to 15dB, which allows to better adjust it to particular amplifier and loudspeakers. I used 15 dB gain during my test. Input selector is based on toggle switches. The whole interior is tiled with damping material.

You can read the full review here.