Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II MM/MC Phono Preamp Reviewed

Norbert Lehmann’s Black Cube phono preamplifiers have surprised and at times amazed for their superior sonic performance at near bargain-basement prices. He’s been designing, building and upgrading his phono preamplifiers for nearly two decades beginning in 1995 with the original Black Cube.

The $1099 Black Cube SE II (also available in silver, which seems like a misnomer) connects via a 4 pin Neutrix connector to an upgraded PWX outboard power supply containing an ample toroidal transformer and high quality foil capacitors and metal foil resistors, is claimed to improve dynamics, lower the noise floor and help produce holographic-like imaging compared to the standard supply.

RIAA is passive between two linear gain stages, the first of which is based on the latest op-amp based dual-mono microphone preamp, while the second is a Burr-Brown op-amp.Via dipswitches located on the main chassis bottom, gain can be configured at 36,46,56 and 66dB. Another set of dipswitches selects MM and MC, while another selects MC loading at either 1k or 100 ohms. Fear not! Two sets of internal slots allow you to insert your choice of resistors or capacitors in two configurations.

In one slot set the caps or resistors are always connected in parallel with the 47k input resistor, the 100pF input capacitor and whichever other switch activated impedance load you might choose. The other slot set is switchable “in” or “out”. And guess what? If you want to set MC loading to 47kHz, you can!

In addition Lehmann includes sixteen bass roll-off curves between 7Hz and 90Hz. If your speakers don’t have extended low frequency response this is a very useful feature that can save amplifier power for audible frequencies instead of wasting it on pointless woofer pumping. You are not likely to hear low frequency response differences if your speakers don’t go much below 60Hz but your amplifier will thank you.

Lehmann also offers the ability to bridge the output capacitors so you can D.C. couple the output, but D.C. offset voltages present at the output can do serious system damage if your preamplifier isn’t A.C. coupled and in that case your amplifier will definitely not thank you nor will your speakers. In other words don’t mess with the jumpers!

So let’s get right to the point: how does the Black (or Silver) Cube SE II sound and especially compared to the $1199 Musical Fidelity MI Vinl and the $1500 Rega Aria?

Immediately noticeable was the Cube’s superior soundstage dimensionality. The Black Cube SE II produced a deeper soundstage than either of the other two. Its ability to separate and clarify instuments on the stage was also noticeably superior to the other two. I was surprised by how much greater was the separation between instruments. The Cube’s ability to unravel complex musical passages was also better.

The upcoming Analogue Productions reissue of the classic Fiedler/ BSO/Earl Wild “Rhapsody In Blue”/”American in Paris” made clear that the Black Cube SE II split the differences between the tautness and punchiness of the Rega Aria and the M1 Vinl’s softer, smoother, more relaxed presentation.

Going back to the Cat Stevens album Mona Bone Jackon referenced in the Aria review, the bass wasn’t quite as well defined, or as deeply felt but it was more supplely textured. The very top of Stevens’ voice still had a bit of an edge on the opening tune—that’s in the recording—but the edge was more cleanly defined than via the Aria. The M1 Vinl softened it.

The Cube managed to be sweet and supple without sounding soft or ill-defined. It’s bass control in context of the entire sonic picture was ideal. In the attack-sustain-decay department, which I think is key to defining and describing sonics, the Cube produced a graceful, yet precise attack, a generous sustain unusual at this price point and with its coal-black backgrounds, decay generosity and resolution befitting a far more expensive phono preamplifier.

Most impressive though was the Lehmann Black Cube SE II’s transparency and midrange ease. In that department you’d never guess you were listening to that little black box priced so reasonably, though you’re also hearing the power supply’s contribution you can be sure.

Of the three referenced phono preamplifiers, my choice would be the Lehmann Black Cube SE II, though if you listen primarily to rock, you should consider the Aria too. The Musical Fidelity M1 Vinl offers front panel push button convenience the others don’t but its sonics, while pleasant and competent come off sounding somewhat soft and vague compared to the other two. Do I have any sonic criticisms of the Black Cube SE II? If anything the very top octaves are slightly overly expressed (particularly in cymbals) but so cleanly you won’t care—especially because the midband is so seductive.

Everyone Should Hear A Comparison Among These Three Phono Preamps

And so you will! Along with the phono section of PS Audio’s NuWave Phono Converter, but after that’s reviewed, which is coming next. After that’s reviewed, I’ve arranged with Wilson Audio Specialties to use a track from one of Dave Wilson’s most spectacular and dynamic recordings Winds of War and Peace with Lowell Graham conducting The National Symphonic Winds. Recorded using but a few microphones to 30IPS ½” tape on a John Curl modified Studer, the sonics on this record from 1988 are spectacular, particularly but not limited to the enormous bass drum thwacks produced using what the conductor calls the “MOD” or “mallet of death”.

Wilson Audio Specialties is in the process of converting many of these analog recordings to digital for downloading from Wilson Audio Specialties’ website.

So here’s the plan: after the “stand-alone” NuWave phono preamp section review, analogplanet.com will post 96/24 files produced using another brand of A/D converter (just to keep the phono preamp comparison fair). As with the recent cartridge survey, the four phono preamps will be identified (Rega Aria, Lehmann Black Cube SE II, Musical Fidelity M1 Vinl and the PS Audio NuWave) with photos but the four files will not. You will be asked to vote for your favorite followed by the other three in your order of preference. We will then post the results and identify which file was which. So stay tuned!

COMMENTS
Rick Tomaszewicz's picture

...ahead of other reviewers.  Involving readers in listening is a big step in the audio press.  Most everyone else still dabbles in over the top adjectives and adverbs.  

I look forward to this comparison, although I admit I found the differences between cartridges to be MUCH smaller than expected.  (I am using reasonably good computer gear.)  If it turns out that the differences are profoundly minor, TO MY EARS, then I'll stick to budget gear.  (Speaking of which, would you care to throw in a track with your high end phono pre as a baseline?)

my new username's picture

Given that this is still fresh in our ears from the budget cartridge survey and it's in the same price range, this would be another phono pre of interest (to me, for the MM carts.)

Jay's picture

The Graham Slee is definitely worth a look.  I've had its big brother the Reflex C for the past 3 years and it's the best phono stage I've heard south of a Manley Steelhead.  My final choice actually came down to the Lehmann Black Cube SE and the Reflex C.

GChaboul's picture

I have the Reflex C and I like it. I had a number of affordable phono stage in the past, ranging from the Cambridge, Rega, Creek OBH-15, Jasmine and the Reflex C is the one I am keeping.

rakalm's picture

I am loving my Jasmine LP2.5DU.  But I am looking forward to listening to the ones I couldn't quite spring for right now.  Just hooked up an old Carver amp and Marantz preamp with the VPI Traveler and the Jasmine phono stage, and I can't stop listening.  This may be the best it ever gets me until Mikey invites us all over!!!   

jllaudio's picture

My new Dynavector 20X2L with the Slee and Bob's Devices SUT combination so blows away my Shure V15VxMR (with a Soundsmith re-tip) on a Technics KAB modded 1200M3D with Slee alone, that my next turntable purchase, to replace a KAB modded Technics 1200M3D (hopefully, with retirement in 6 months) will only need the above combo to keep me happy in my retirement years.

receivermop's picture

Hello, this is my first ever comment in analog planet. I currently use an rp3 tt.  I used to listen to it with CA gear - preamp 540p and integrated amp 640p.  I was disappointed when listening to classic music. I keep reading about better new preamps but for me these are expansive. So I decided on an experiment. I replaced all the new CA gear with an AKAI aa 1050 vintage receiver. To my surprise, I can't tell which is better. Is the King of new audio gear naked? I guess I'm wrong and one day I'll buy myself one of the preamps mentioned in the review. Have a peaceful weekend,  I'll switch side now on my 1st uk pressing of Let It Be

vinyl junkie's picture

  How about a review of budget minded step up transformers such as the Bellari. The Ortofon Verto seems to be a good buy but if the Bellari is as good as it's tubed brother this would do it. 

Pro-Ject_RPM3's picture

Hi guys,

I bought a Pro-Ject RPM 3 turntable recently, and wondering if I should go with a new Pro-Ject Phono Box RS MM/MC Phono Preamplifier (777 USD) or with a new Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II MM/MC Phono Preamplifier (1050 USD).

Thanks a lot!

Matthieu

fjoggedelic's picture

Michael, first of all thx for all your knowledge and writing. I still learn, as I move forward in life, and we need people like you, who take the time to give away (4free), everything they know about a subject.
In my 35 years of hifi interested, I owned a great amount of different gear, and up through the 90's I gave up vinyl for cd's. In 2008 i got back on the track, and bought me a Rega P3-24 in beautiful orange, and with the Exact cart.
Fast forward to now, with many different Rega decks purchased in the meantime, where my latest buy is the brand new (almost) astonishing Rega P8, mounted with Apheta2. My previous TT was Rega RP8, with the Rega Ania (intro mc). Some might think I didn't need to upgrade from RP8 too P8? But then u need checking the facts, as were talking about a very very different TT.....even for Rega.
So I'm looking for a suitable phono stage, and the logical choice here, must be the Rega Aria. But wait a minute! When I read your reviews of the Aria vs. Lehmann, I got the chance to hear them both at home, and now I'm really in doubt? You must know that the newest Aria (v2), is not only in a new case, but also something inside has happened. I guess some new transistors is in place here, and from what i know, the v2 is much better than the first edition.
I had a blast with both of them, and after returning them to my dealer, I must now decide which one to choose, and that's a hard task? The Lehmann, as you wrote, is very very capable of getting a great soundstage, and is very refined in my opinion. The Aria has some more punch in the lower end, and it's easy to hear the Rega "synergy" effect, when used with Rega decks/carts, no doubt about that!
It brings me to what I thinks it's all about, when choosing the right gear, and that's all about what your preferences is, and perhaps more important, what music do u listen too?
My personal taste in music, lean me towards the Aria in this matter, as I hear a lot of electronic, rock/metal and pop, but also Jazz in smaller amounts. It's difficult to only choose by what your listening too, but I think it's important to consider, when upgrading your system.
So as for now, I guess I will end up buying the Aria, which I can get for a very reasonable price from my dealer. So I guess it's a no brainer, but again.....I will defiantly take my time, so I get it right, and here is your reviews a good help for a start, to pin point which direction to maybe go? I haven't considered the Lehmann, if I didn't come across your review, so again: thx for the time you put into this.
Cheers
Thomas.

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