Since the development of the original Marconi, Brinkmann Audio's unique hybrid circuitry, employing bipolar transistors and Telefunken NOS tubes, has evolved, reaching its full potential in our latest designs: the Edison MkII phono preamp and the Nyquist MkII DAC/Streamer. These advances have already been implemented in the Marconi Mk II. This circuit, used as an output in Edison and Nyquist, has been adapted for use as an input circuit in Marconi Mk II. The traditional Marconi strengths are now augmented by lower noise, more detailed and three-dimensional presentation, greater clarity, better synergy with soft sound systems and longer tube life. The redesign of the "Mk II" required two completely new PCBs; more importantly, hundreds of hours of meticulous fine-tuning by Helmut Brinkmann have resulted in an instrument that communicates the music more realistically, enabling - in the best tradition Brinkmann - a closer connection between system and listener.Noise immunity can only be achieved with balanced signal processing. For a stereo preamplifier, four complete amplifiers - two per channel - are required, as the signal is processed both in phase and inverted. Since non-musical artefacts (i.e. noise) influence in-phase and out-of-phase signals to exactly the same degree (known as "common-mode noise"), they can be eliminated at the input of the amplifier because the inverting and non-inverting signals cancel each other out. This noise cancellation capability (known as "Common-Mode Rejection") justifies, in our opinion, the double part count and complexity of the circuit.It uses a vacuum tube phase inverter stage because the tubes operate with virtually zero voltage delay, providing an inverting signal that is a perfect mirror image of its non-inverting counterpart: essential for Common-Mode Rejection. The tubes reside in two oversized, side-mounted heat sinks, ensuring ideal operating temperature and long tube life. The remote control facilitates input selection, volume control (including muting) and phase inversion. A full front panel display provides input, volume and phase status.
Features:
- Absolute reference phono preamplifier with separate power supply.
- Hybrid tube/transistor architecture.
- Gain adjustment for each input.
- Phase/invert switch.
- Maximum output voltage: ± 12 V balanced.
- Input impedance: 20 kOhm, balanced, single-ended.
- Output Impedance:
- Inputs: 4 single-ended, 2 balanced.
- Includes remote control and granite base.
- Main block dimensions: 420 x 95 x 310 mm (W x H x D), with Granite base.
- Main block weight: 24 kg (including granite base).
- Power supply dimensions: 120 x 80 x 160 mm (W x H x D).
- Power supply weight: 3.2 kg.
Available set of 4 replacement valves for 450 €;.
