Allnic Audio L-10000 OTL/OCL Preamplifier
Allnic Audio world wide distributor David Beetles of Hammertone Audio continues to ship an embarrassment of tube component and cable riches to the island for review (a couple of components, the H-7000 and L-8500, have stayed in the system as long term loans, for which I’m very grateful. Obviously, Beetles is a massive fan of the product, also of Allnic’s revered founder and chief designer, Kang Su Park. On component lineage and brilliant, legacy designs alone, if anybody deserves inclusion in the TAS High End Audio Hall of Fame it’s Park. The description is too often said about musicians, artists, and design engineers, but this man truly is a ‘genius’.
Park’s preamplifier OTL/OCL topology (explanation below) works very musically in his smaller L-8500. In a shoot out of sorts to finalize my loan reference, I chose his L-8500 OTL/OCL design ($13,500) over the outstanding L-7000 Preamplifier ($16,500). Well, the L-10000 OTL/OCL ($30,000), the big boy, offers the effortless musicality of the L-8500 and creates a similar tonal profile, but with a clearer, deeper soundstage, even better imaging, and the OTL/OCL engagement I love, but taken to the nth degree.
The tube design A Team with Kang Su Park, front middle.
My Use
I appreciate a full function preamp as the heart of my system. If it’s a quality tube design, you’ve got my attention. I’m assuming the $30,000 L-10000 is the end of the line for Allnic preamplifiers, at least for now. Like all brilliant engineers, Park is always thinking forward. But, in the here and now, I can’t imagine a better preamplifier of any topology.
I used a Nordost Valhalla 2 loom for cabling with my MBL N51 in bypass mode or the Denafrips Apollo Power Amp providing the oomph. Speakers were my reference BØRRESEN Acoustics 01 Silver Supreme Edition Loudspeakers. A gloriously musical combination.
The power cable is inserted on the side. Allnic kindly provided a 90 degree version of its ZL-5000 Power Cable.
Setup of the L-10000 is quick and easy. Remove cardboard and foam from Allnic’s unique tube chimneys, plug in, and that’s about it. Allen key for remote control battery replacement and tube chimney top removal provided.
Thankfully, the solid metal remote (batteries provided) echoes the sexy industrial chic of the L-10000’s frame. So, power on, select line input (of 5), a soft start delay, gentle click, tube health meters in range, then you’re on your way. I broke in the new unit for about 100 hours.
Manufacturers please note; ensure your remote (such as those by Allnic, MBL, Rega, Naim and many others) are commensurate in quality with your component. Opening a box with a beautiful component costing many thousands of dollars and receiving an Apple remote (even fanboys like me know the Apple remote is inappropriate) or, worse, a tiny lump of ugly, cheap plastic crap, is unacceptable. And bad for your company ID. While we’re at it, look at the Allnic frame (photo below). Handles. Please. Especially on large, heavy components. Thanks.
My gorgeous unit in black, Beefy, good-looking industrial design with helpful handles and glowing tube health metres.
Features and Specifications
Park describes his OTL/OCL design:
In an OTL/OCL preamplifier (OTL/OCL means “Output Transformer Less” and “Output Capacitor Less”), there is no coupling device between the preamplifier and the power amplifier, that is, the preamplifier’s final output tubes are directly connected to the power amplifier. Normally, an Output Capacitor or Output Transformer for separating AC music signal from the DC operating potential; if this is not done, the latter will destroy the power amplifier or loud speakers [to compensate, Allnic uses what it calls a ‘floating power supply circuit’, which deals with the theoretical issue by not creating any DC potential].
The L-10000 OTL/OCL is a triple gain stage, remote controlled, line-stage preamplifier, without transformers or capacitors in its single-ended signal path.
OTL, OCL Direct Coupled preamplifier
Two SEPP 300Bs output (‘Single-Ended, Push-Pull’; a ‘cancellation circuit’ is required to adjust the balance of signal between the upper and lower power output tubes’ input grids. Allnic uses an extremely sophisticated ‘Active Balanced Positive and Negative Feedback Circuit’, in which the 6AN8 pentode controls the circuit’s operation)
True Dual Mono design
61-step Silver Contact Constant Impedance attenuator
It also comes in sliver. L-10000 OTL/OCL Preamplifier rear panel.
Sound
Park describes his design as adding no colouration to the musical signal with extremely detailed expression, natural harmonics and subtle musical decay, featuring the lowest possible distortion and wide musical dynamics.
In this description, Park has once again succeeded. As such, the L-10000 is a no-holds-barred, full on tube preamplifier filled with his brilliant design ideas, all of which, including the 61-step potentiometer and tube complement, are geared toward producing exactly the musical expression he desires.
Like all good preamps, the L-10000 could be considered neutral in the fact it compliments the ancillary components. As such, my accompanying gear never sounded better. The L-10000 will max out your system. It puts a shine and an uncoloured glow on all up and downstream kit.
But let’s not kid ourselves; we buy tube components for warm, detailed, effortless sound and musicality. For sure, this can be had cheaper than the $30,000 Allnic, but not without losing some of the immersive effects the L-10000 slowly but surely imparts to the listener.
Out of the box, I could tell its lineage and excellence, and, about 50 hours in, it was smiling. Everything was more vibrant and fulsome (not coloured; not tubby). But it’s the growing relationship you’ll have with such a refined component that’s so beneficial to your audiophile long game. Each component under the auspices of the Allnic will shed more light and remove veils from your listening experiences. Just what you expect a great component to do. Thus, it’ll keep surprising the hell out of you as you continue your journey, from the lightest change in colour here to the smallest dynamic shift there. It’s a surprise machine. Your whole body will sit up and notice on recordings heard many time pre L-10000.
As I’ve found with Park’s three different preamplifier design topologies, each offers the music a particular and highly musical platform. The DHT, complex and straight to the heart connectivity, the OTL/OCLs, more rich musical fabric from a unique approach and sound than his DHT, equally valuable. Both, I preferred to the more straight forward design intentions of the L-7000. The clarity of the L-7000’s design is enviable, but while living with it during the L-8500 OTL/OCL review, I kept returning to the 8500 as I admired the sound design very much—a totally immersive experience, at least for my tastes. The no holds barred L-10000 simply gave me more, but at almost twice the price. Whether that premium will be worth it is your call. Many L-8500 owners have ended up at the L-10000 as time and funds allowed.
Specifically, the L-10000 threw me deep into a recording’s soundstage and veils were lifted in comparison to the L-8500. I felt even more connected to the design’s unique sound. I remember the L-8500 sound creeping into my mind while the L-7000 was in the system, and to be honest, obsessing about it. Then, I’d replace the 7000 with the 8500. Later, a few doubts would creep in. Is the 8500 as clear and defined as the 7000? Damn it. I eventually calmed the hell down and realized the 8500 design was for me.
It was the same for the 10000. After a long session with the 10000, I’d throw my 8500 back in the mix. And, there you go, I’m thinking, yes, this is wonderful, but the L-10000! Back in the big boy went, and upgrade-itus lodged itself into my synapses once again. Hell! This hobby.
Anyway, all that comparative stuff eventually sorted itself out and the Kershaw/Allnic preamp hierarchy settled on 1 through 4. The differences between 2 and 4, minimal and tonal preference only.
Coming in at number 4, the L-7000, 3, the 8500, 2, the fabulous DHT, and finally the L-10000. There’s one for all audiophiles dependent on budget and timbral preference. I’m just about to begin my Allnic L-6500 review, a tube preamp coming in at $7500. Review drops Aug 19, 2022.
Back to the L-10000. Dynamics were both effortless when asked and whisper quiet at the other end of the expression profile. So, the massive bass drum and timpani strokes on side 2 of Stravinsky’s The Firebird (Mercury vinyl reissue/LSO/Dorati) were insanely powerful and tonally centred—the pitch of the timpani and the indeterminate bass drum with their concomitant timbres were heard distinctly. That unravelling is incredibly difficult to accomplish during all the Kingsway chaos. I had the volume up as loud as I dare, hunched my shoulders just before the strikes, and was only left in awe, with no fear of driver damage. Remarkable. And thrilling.
The flute whistle tones (a very delicate effect and very quiet; it takes great skill from the player to get the tones steady and pitch centred) on The Constant Gardner soundtrack is a test I use frequently. The delicacy and overtones (the note is all overtones and harmonics) are equally difficult to unravel. No problems for the L-10000. By far, the clearest I’ve heard them.
It goes without saying, the uptick in timbral accuracy as we go more expensive was profoundly beautiful. Allnic examples 2, 3 and 4 are all pretty spectacular at timbral beauty, the DHT, especially, but the accuracy played through the L-10000 was intoxicating. I could tell my intent on several recordings I’ve made over the years, even the to and fro between Bede Hanley’s fabulous oboe (Principal, Auckland Philharmonia) and my solo in Scheherezade. Any quality preamp will give you quality tone, but only the very best preamplifiers like the L-10000 place you in the hands of the performer. Here, their are no secrets, no fixing it in the mix, etc. If it’s on the original tape, you’ll be hearing it.
In the practical world, the preamplifier was whisper quiet and bump-free during the three months in my system.
Summary
Once again, it takes a great, creative design mind, manufacturing prowess and lots of money to hear the very best in our audiophile world. $30,000 is an extraordinary amount of money to pay for any luxury item, but we do it for watches, jewellery, even a session at Chanel or Louis Vuitton, so, why not for a world beating, lifelong preamplifier? Something to think about and to save for. Very highly recommended.
Further information: Allnic Audio
