The Leema Acoustics Pyxis II preamplifier is designed in a fully balanced concept and is equipped in the spirit of the times with not only analogue but also digital inputs, including even a USB port for direct connection to a computer or network streamer. True, the Burr-Brown PCM2906 chip from Texas Instruments chosen to serve this input limits the digital bit rate parameters to 16 bits / 48 kHz – standard for universal computer operating systems, but clearly insufficient for working with high-resolution recordings, the popularity of which is growing every day. However, when using a digital coaxial input there are no such problems – the device accepts a stream with parameters up to 24 bit / 192 kHz. There is also a digital coaxial output, the resolution of which is also limited to 16 bit / 48 kHz.
Analog switching is represented by two pairs of balanced inputs and five unbalanced ones. One of the unbalanced inputs is intended for connecting an AV processor or receiver – the signal from this input does not change with the volume control. A very convenient feature for integrating a multi-channel home theater audio system and a stereo set to share a single front pair of speakers.
In addition, the Leema Acoustics Pyxis II offers an optional phono preamplifier to accommodate both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. Both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs are provided for connection to a power amplifier. Moreover, it is possible to configure these outputs as regular adjustable ones for a preamplifier, or as linear ones when adjusting the sound volume by a power amplifier via the LIPS bus.
The volume control in Leema Acoustics Pyxis II is implemented on a PGA2310 resistive matrix from Texas Instruments. In terms of sound quality, this approach gives significantly better results compared to using conventional potentiometers, even from renowned manufacturers. The preamplifier also has a timbre block, implemented according to Peter Baxandall’s circuit, which allows the amplitude-frequency response to be adjusted within ± 6 dB in the region of 50 Hz and 15 kHz.
Characteristics Leema Acoustics Pyxis II
Frequency range, Hz-kHz 20 – 20 (- 0.2 dB)
S/N ratio, dB 126
Harmonic distortion, % 0.005
Audio DAC 24 bit/ 96 kHz
Phono stage Optional Remote control
Yes Connectors Coaxial
input
1 x S /PDIF (RCA)
USB 1 x USB type B
Analog audio 6 x RCA, 2 x XLR, 1 x 3.5 mm
Others 1 x 3.5 mm LiPs
Connectors
Coaxial output 1 x S/PDIF (RCA)
Analog audio 2 x RCA, 1 x XLR
Headphones 1 x 3.5 mm
Others 1 x 3.5 mm LiPs
Dimensions, mm 440 x 110 x 330
Weight, kg 11
