Description

Alva Duo is the reference phono stage for MM and MC cartridges

Cambridge Alva Duo is the switchable phono stage for MM and MC cartridges from the English brand Cambridge Audio , ideal for high-end turntables but also for rediscovering vintage turntables and improving their sound quality.

The MM - and even more so MC - heads of turntables produce a low-level magnetic signal, which is why a preamplifier stage is needed to boost the signal to be able to send it to the amplifier. The challenge is to increase the signal gain without introducing noise.

The Alva Duo has an extremely essential and functional look: on the brushed aluminum front panel, within easy reach, we find the power button, the cartridge selection button (MM or MC), as well as a headphone output and the corresponding volume control.

The Alva series responds to the growing spread of Vinylmania and to rediscover the warmth of analogue sound, offering a product line that includes, in addition to the Duo , the phono pre-amplifier for MM cartridges, two turntables – the Alva ST and the Alva TT V2 – and a proprietary High End MC cartridge.

To reduce energy consumption, the modality Eco It has a consumption of less than 0,5 W and an automatic switch-off function after 20 minutes of non-use.

Maximum Power Consumption: 10W

Standby Consumption: <0.5W

Mains Inlet Voltage: 100-240V AC

Gain @ 1kHz:
39dB (Moving magnet)
60dB (Moving coil)

Nominal Output: 300mV

Sensitivity for Nominal Output:
3.35mV (Moving magnet)
305uV (Moving coil)

Equivalent Input Noise (A-Weighted):
~0.09uV (Moving magnet)
~0.08uV (Moving coil)

RIAA Curve Accuracy: +/- 0.3dB 30Hz – 20kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio Grounded Inputs ref. 1V Output (20Hz – 20kHz BW):
>90dB (Moving magnet)
>70dB (Moving coil)

THD+N 1kHz (20Hz – 20kHz BW):
<0.0025% (Moving magnet)
<0.020% (Moving coil)

Input Impedance:
47k Ohm (Moving magnet)
100 Ohm (Moving coil)

Input Capacitance: 100pF

Overload Margin: >30dB

Crosstalk @ 20kHz:
>85dB (Moving magnet)
>75dB (Moving coil)

Subsonic Filter Characteristics: -3dB @ 15Hz 12dB/octave

Dimensions (H x W x D): 48 x 215 x 159 mm

Weight: 0.95 kg

User Manual Alva Duo: Download

Specifications

Integrated phono stage	MM+MC
Weight	950 g
Electricity consumption	10 W
Alimentazione	100-240V AC
Dimensioni	W 21,5 × H 4,8 × D 15,9 cm
country of origin	UK
Input impedance	47000 kOhm
Phono load impedance	47 Ω
Rapporto S/N	90 dB
Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.0025%

About the brand

Cambridge Audio was founded in 1968 in Cambridge, England, as a division of the engineering firm Cambridge Consultants; the company's official history speaks of a group of young technical graduates working in a borrowed garage. The first product was the 2x20-watt P40 integrated amplifier, developed by a team including Gordon Edge and Peter Lee. It is remembered as the first amplifier to use a toroidal transformer, a solution that later became common in high fidelity. In 1970, the P50 arrived, designed for mass production.
Over the following years, the company changed hands several times: Colin Hammond in 1971, Vince Adams in 1980, Stan and Angie Curtis in 1984, and shortly thereafter Wharfedale, which moved production to Leeds. Under Stan Curtis's technical direction, the CD1 was born, which the company presents as the world's first CD player in two separate chassis. In 1994, the brand became part of Audio Partnership, the company owned by Julian Richer and James Johnson-Flint; today, Cambridge Audio is headquartered in London and is owned solely by Johnson-Flint.
The 2000s saw the arrival of the Azur series of amplifiers and players, followed by the CX lines, from the CXA integrated amplifiers onward, and network players, which brought the brand into streaming. The most ambitious range is called Edge, in homage to Gordon Edge, the designer of the first P40. The brand is active and continues to produce new equipment; however, only used models are available on our site.
Da Audiocostruzioni We offer used and vintage Cambridge Audio gear: the ones available are on this page and can be seen and heard in our Carpi showroom or ordered online with shipping. If you have any questions, please email us.

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