Vincent Hybrid Stereo Pre-Amplifier - Black or Silver (SA-31)

"A Very Good Preamplifier" - Chris Martens - The Absolute Sound

Tube Sound and Transistor Power

The hybrid vacuum tube and solid state design of the beautiful Vincent SA-31 line stage preamplifier lets you have it all. It delivers the luxurious sound that can only be obtained with finely-made vacuum tube equipment as well as the power associated with solid state designs, including speed, reliability, and control. That's a difficult combination to beat, especially once you factor in the affordable price.

• Hybrid vacuum tube and solid state design
• Twin monoblock design
• Short signal paths
• Precise ALPS volume control
• Four line-level inputs
• Pure 'Class A' output stage
• Tone controls and loudness switch

"Vincent Audio’s driving passion is to build serious high-performance audio products that are eminently affordable" Chris Martens - The Absolute Sound

When Vincent created the SA-31, the German audiophile company delved deep into research and development until each stage of the preamplifier provided exactly the results that the engineers had in mind. Extensive listening sessions complemented each stage of the engineering process to ensure that the SA-31 didn't simply look good on paper. It also had to deliver startlingly good real world performance.

Pure 'Class A' Output Stage

The vacuum tube output stage of the SA-31 uses a unique proprietary design configuration with a short signal path to create a delicate and detailed soundstage. For best sound quality, the output stage operates in pure 'Class A.'

Highly Precise Potentiometers

The SA-31 is equipped with highly precise potentiometers from ALPS for ultra-quiet, accurate tone and amplitude adjustment. The monoblock design in the amplifier sections for left and right channels help to achieve the best possible signal-to-noise ratio.

Four inputs give you the capability of connecting a tuner, CD player, tape deck, and more. A record out connection add to the flexibility. An extra preamp output gives you a convenient path for bi-amping your speakers.

In addition to the set of high-quality tone controls, the SA-31 includes a loudness switch for big dynamics even at low volume levels. This is a great idea from the days of classic hi-fi that Vincent has brought back with this highly capable preamp.

Vincent SA-31 Hybrid Stereo Pre-Amplifier Reviews

The Absolute Sound, by Chris Martens August 2007
... exhibits unmistakable touches of Old World quality inside and out—quality you not only can see, but hear.

The SA-31 produces a rich, seductive sound, whose signature characteristic is a midrange that is dynamically alive and leans just lightly to the warm side of neutral. Together, these qualities help the preamp do a fine job of capturing subtle contours or inflections in both human and instrumental voices.

One of the SA-31's greatest strengths is its ability to reproduce continuously shaded tonalities at the edges of notes - shadings that give notes their shape and substance. Perhaps as a result, this preamp presents images that have a consistently pleasing, sculptural solidity - never the flat, 'color-by-numbers' quality that some solid-state preamps exhibit.

Vincent SA-31 Hybrid Stereo Pre-Amplifier Technical details

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
Output voltage: 2 V
Total harmonic distortion: < 0.1 % (1 kHz, 1 Watt)
Input sensitivity: 150mV
Signal-Noise ratio: > 90 dB
Input impedance: 47 kOhm
Inputs: 4 x RCA
Outputs: 2 x RCA, 1 x RCA Rec Out
Tubes: 2 x 6N16B
Mains supply: 230 V/50 Hz,
Weight: 4.5 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 80 x 300 mm

PowerLine Series from Vincent

When so many multicultural and traditional currents meet as they do in Hong Kong, this often creates different approaches. Many people believe that classic is just another word for “old.” The traditional powerLine is, however, classic in another way. Like the reincarnation of Mozart's piano sonatas under the influence of the pianist Lang Lang. Interpreted in a sensual, bewitching, stirring and new way. Our powerLine is not old - but today it's already a classic.

About Vincent - born in Germany 1995

This story began very quietly. It would get louder, yes, later there'd even be rumbles and shouts. Unfortunately it couldn’t be otherwise. But for the moment it was so quiet that we didn't dare speak in anything but whispers and even this single “Psst” sounded like an explosion.

It all started with a quite ordinary question: How do I make High End affordable? Uwe Bartel set off looking for a valve amplifier by the direct route, working logically and continuously. The first step, the introduction of the SA-1 valve prestage and the D-150 output stage, still made a very quiet sound in the press but one that couldn't be missed. Then it got a bit louder when Vincent expanded its product range and regularly thrilled the specialist press – and music lovers in particular.

The rumble was powerful and certainly justified because the new Vincent products were now electronically redesigned and presented in a solid metal housing. Now the Vincent brand was making a really audible bang in the specialist press and putting prestige brands in the shade again and again.

Bartel, the electronics engineer, is constantly surprising everyone with his innovations. So he is always expanding Vincent's product range and always ensures a sensation and a whole lot of noise in the 2-channel electronics sector.

Loud and with feeling: Vincent also offers some highlights for the fans of multi-channel in the sector of mono output stages. In combination with the Vincent speakerLine and the cableLine this makes music enthusiasts ...

Treat yourself to an extraordinary listening experience!