There is so little information about this obscure black box. Zenn Audio listed it recently for sale of a Mirror Image Audio .2P preamplifier that comes with a huge external power supply. The condition is 6/10 and I needed to use contact cleaner to remove some surface corrosion. I suspect this preamp to be at least 20 years old with the company long since gone. As i need a dedicated preamp for my system and it fits the following criteria: balance XLR output, industrial looking as well as the budget.
Some search on the internet reveal that this is a high end brand back in the early ’90s. There is even an interesting blog from a Chinese site on his encounter with Mirror Image Audio pre & power amp.
My assessment of this preamp is favorable. Most importantly, it gives the oomph-energy to the music feeding thru it. The .2P preamp simply deliver the sound with ease to the Jeff Rowland Model 10 power amp. Why i say this because I could feel my previous preamp was choking the music, whereas the .2P provide engagement, nice accentuated highs and sense of airiness.
Now i truly believe why Robert Harley says that the preamp has a profound effect on the music system’s overall performance.
Mirror Image Audio products are OEM by a company called Polyfusion Audio. This preamp estimated retail price at US$2,500 US$3,200 (so relative value in today term around US$3.8k – $5k)
Some specs on the net:
Preamp .2 / S / N: LINE 96dB / TAPE 110dB Impedance: ALL INPUT 18kΩ / OUTPUT 300Ω UNBALANCED 600Ω BALANCED / THD: 0.01%
Specs for the power supply :
- Toroidal Transformer
- Regulated Dual Polarity Outputs
- Three DC Output Jacks
- Internally Programmable for all Line Voltages
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AC Input |
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Voltage |
100 to 240 volts AC (programmable) |
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Frequency |
50 to 60 Hertz |
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Current |
2 Amps Max |
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Protection |
Fuse (user accessible) |
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Connection |
Molded 3-wire cordset, 6 ft. (removable) |
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Transformation |
Custom 210VA Power Toroid |
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DC Output |
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Voltage |
+35VDC and -35VDC |
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Current |
2.5 Amps (max. continuous) each side |
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Connectors |
(3), five circuit Neutrik XLR |
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Protection |
Electronic Current Limiting |
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Interconnect |
Custom 5-wire cordset supplied with Neutrik XLR connectors on each end |
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Physical |
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Dimensions |
3 1/2 x 6 1/4 x 14 3/4 inches (overall) |
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Weight |
8 pounds 10 ounces (net) |
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Finish |
Black Anodized Aluminum |