Thoebe II
Thoebe II
Flexibility and Control
STEREO PREAMPLIFIER
SST proudly presents the Thoebe II preamplifier. Fitted with the refinements and features one expects of a modern-day preamp, the Thoebe II will deliver all of your music with style and beauty at an attractive price.
Impressive standard features include a highly transparent volume control, bass and treble tone controls, high/low gain settings and a world-class headphone amplifier. Additionally, the Thoebe II can be configured with available add-on options like a reference-level DAC and/or phonostage. The Thoebe II is about ultimate control and flexibility—the perfect preamplifier for any music source.
Deriving its lineage from our flagship preamplifier, the award-winning Ambrosia 2000 Second Edition preamplifier, but boasting more than a few unique features in it’s own right, the Thoebe II is destined to be a classic in its own time. Invite the Thoebe II into your listening room and find out quickly what kind of “guest” has arrived—one that won’t be leaving anytime soon!
FEATURES Optional DAC and/or phonostage: DAC ESS Sabre (9018) 32-bit DAC chip
Asynchronous, galvanically isolated USB input supports up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD64 + DSD128
Phonostage Moving magnet or high-output moving coil discrete Class A design and newly developed RIAA optimized topology.
Powerful and transparent built-in Class A headphone amplifier, standard Digitally-controlled, channel independent, highly-advanced tone control Remarkably transparent and innovative resistive-ladder type volume control unique to the Thoebe II.
High/low gain setting
Phase and balance controls
Large, easy-to-read (and dimmable) LED display
Internal USB connection for any future software updates
Optional solid aluminum full-function remote control
Heavy gauge steel case and thick anodized aluminum faceplate
SPECIFICATIONS Inputs Phono: 42dB Line (balanced and unbalanced): 17dB high gain, 11dB low gain Tone Controls ± 5dB nominal Turnover points: Bass 100Hz; Treble 5kHz nominal Maximum Output 10V RMS unbalanced 20V RMS balanced Input Impedance 62kΩ unbalanced 18kΩ balanced Output Impedance 50Ω, all outputs Headphone Output 1Ω, 388mW (300Ω) Noise (Awt) MM: 70µV (22µV with 400-20kHz filter) Line: 10µV unbalanced, 18µV balanced THD (Awt, 20Hz-20kHz) .006% max inputs to main outputs @ 1V RMS rated output Frequency Response Phono: ± 1.2dB max deviation (5mV in, RIAA Equalized, 20Hz–20kHz) Line: 20Hz–20kHz, ± 0.25dB max deviation Dimensions 14⅝" L x 17½" W x 4⅛" H Weight: Without phonostage: 25 lbs. With phonostage: 28 lbs.
“ “Having used [the Thoebe II and Son of Ampzilla II] with electrostatic, dynamic hybrid and full range, supplemented speakers and finding laudable sound, I’m confident they will reward you as well, and when well set up convince you that you have discovered one of the greatest secrets in all of the High End.”
— Doug Schroeder, Dagogo
“Combining the Thoebe II and the Son of Ampzilla II forms an synergistic combination that presents a lifelike flesh and blood realism.”
— Ron Nagle, Enjoy The Music
”One characteristic of the phonostage that struck me right away was the sensational dynamic range, which is also a quality of the Ambrosia’s phonostage…. I recommend the optional phonostage without serious qualification as both an outstanding bargain and a fine performer without regard to price.… If I did not already own a preamplifier that serves my needs perfectly well, the Thoebe II would be a very tempting purchase to consider.”
— Paul Seydor, The Absolute Sound
“As listening continued week after week I repeatedly had the feeling that I could be hearing the Levinson No. 326S, an $11,400 preamplifier.... However, the Thoebe II’s phono stage is better.
Overall rating: 9.5/10”
— Jerry Seigel, 10 Audio
“The Thoebe II preamplifier offers an ideal combination of genuinely useful features, convenience, and stellar performance. Used with care, its tone controls, especially the treble, can transform any of number of tonally unmusical recordings into pleasing and listenable experiences…. Describing the sound does not invite purple prose; it is essentially neutral, transparent to the source, and at its price a true high-end bargain.”
— 2017 The Absolute Sound Editors’ Choice Awards: Preamplifiers, $2000 - $5000 category”