Known amongst audiophiles simply as "The CAT," the legendary SL-1 from Convergent Audio Technology is one of the most renowned tube preamps on the market, and certainly one of the best you can buy. Debatable? Sure, but the only valid arguments you'll hear will border on esoteric. This particular example includes the optional phono stage upgrade, and your vinyl will sound better than ever. Highs are sparkling and airy, lows are tight and defined, and transient signals are lightning fast. This is the preamp for a seasoned audiophile, one who knows his signal is only as good as his least capable piece.
- Production
- 1988-90
- Condition
- 9/10
- Serial No.
- 2199
- Orig. MSRP
- $3950
- Restoration
- Full 30-point service check
- Cleaned controls, switches, and chassis
- Replaced 2x 12AX7 w/ Matched NOS
- Replaced two capacitors in the power supply
- Calibrated balance
- Factory Specs
Frequency Response .0.1Hz to 600kHz, +0,-3dB (line), 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-0.2dB (phono)
Total Harmonic Distortion Less than 0.001% (phono), 0.0005% (line)
Tube complment 6x 6922s, 4x 12AX7s
Inputs Two line-level, one phono, tape
Outputs Two main plus tape
Voltage Gain 26dB (line), 46dB (phono). Both at 1kHz
IHF Sensitivity .0.12mV
Slew Rate 10V/microsecond (phono), 15V/microsecond (line), risetime of 0.6 microsecond
Noise 90dBA below 1V (line), 96dBA below 10mV input (phono)
Input Overload 100V (line) and 250mV phono
Input Impedance 50k (line), variable on phono, with 47k and 180pF standard
Dimensions 19"W x 5.24"H x 12.2"D (preamplifier); 12.2"W x 4"H x 6"D (power supply)
Weight 64 lbs.
- The History of Convergent Audio Technology
- The Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) story is actually the story of one man — Ken Stevens, an electrical engineer/applied mathematician with two degrees from the University of Rochester. While the school did not have an audio program per se, electrical engineering offered Stevens the best alternative. While a student...
[ Read More ]
- Liner Notes
Even after all these years the basic design and topology of the SL-1 has remained more or less the same. From the Reference to the Signature, from the Ultimate to the Renaissance, not to speak of all the MkII’s and MKIII’s, the 2 x 5 tube design is still there: 2 x 6922 for the low noise input, 2 x 12AX7 for the high-gain stage, and 1 x 6922 for the cathode follower. One set of tubes is for the line stage, the other for the phono stage. The CAT SL1 Reference is not affected by coloration in its high-level stages. It's extremely transparent and extended in the deep bass, without a touch of extra bloom or control loss. It makes a smooth and coherent transition from bass to midrange. The CAT SL1 is amazingly accurate and revealing in the midrange. The upper midrange is musically involving without producing artificial emphasis or fatigue. It does an outstanding job of exactly reproducing the intended music. It does a consistently good job of portraying imaging on both the simplest and most complex music—a consistency normally lacking in even the most expensive competition. It does a realistic job of reproducing records and reflecting the differences in apparent listening position, without imposing the character. The Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Reference is an extremely sophisticated, well-engineered unit that will never fail to disappoint in future years, and this is borne out through time. Even after all these years the basic design and topology of the SL-1 has remained more or less the same. From the Reference to the Signature, from the Ultimate to the Renaissance, not to speak of all the MkII’s and MKIII’s, the 2 x 5 tube design is still there: 2 x 6922 for the low noise input, 2 x 12AX7 for the high-gain stage, and 1 x 6922 for the cathode follower. One set of tubes is for the line stage, the other for the phono stage.
- Stock No.
- 7576394989789
Known amongst audiophiles simply as "The CAT," the legendary SL-1 from Convergent Audio Technology is one of the most renowned tube preamps on the market, and certainly one of the best you can buy. Debatable? Sure, but the only valid arguments you'll hear will border on esoteric. This particular example includes the optional phono stage upgrade, and your vinyl will sound better than ever. Highs are sparkling and airy, lows are tight and defined, and transient signals are lightning fast. This is the preamp for a seasoned audiophile, one who knows his signal is only as good as his least capable piece.
Production
1988-90
Condition
9/10
Serial No.
2199
Orig. MSRP
$3950
Restoration
- Full 30-point service check
- Cleaned controls, switches, and chassis
- Replaced 2x 12AX7 w/ Matched NOS
- Replaced two capacitors in the power supply
- Calibrated balance
Factory Specs
Frequency Response .0.1Hz to 600kHz, +0,-3dB (line), 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-0.2dB (phono)
Total Harmonic Distortion Less than 0.001% (phono), 0.0005% (line)
Tube complment 6x 6922s, 4x 12AX7s
Inputs Two line-level, one phono, tape
Outputs Two main plus tape
Voltage Gain 26dB (line), 46dB (phono). Both at 1kHz
IHF Sensitivity .0.12mV
Slew Rate 10V/microsecond (phono), 15V/microsecond (line), risetime of 0.6 microsecond
Noise 90dBA below 1V (line), 96dBA below 10mV input (phono)
Input Overload 100V (line) and 250mV phono
Input Impedance 50k (line), variable on phono, with 47k and 180pF standard
Dimensions 19"W x 5.24"H x 12.2"D (preamplifier); 12.2"W x 4"H x 6"D (power supply)
Weight 64 lbs.
The History of Convergent Audio Technology
The Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) story is actually the story of one man — Ken Stevens, an electrical engineer/applied mathematician with two degrees from the University of Rochester. While the school did not have an audio program per se, electrical engineering offered Stevens the best alternative. While a student...
[ Read More ]
Liner Notes
Even after all these years the basic design and topology of the SL-1 has remained more or less the same. From the Reference to the Signature, from the Ultimate to the Renaissance, not to speak of all the MkII’s and MKIII’s, the 2 x 5 tube design is still there: 2 x 6922 for the low noise input, 2 x 12AX7 for the high-gain stage, and 1 x 6922 for the cathode follower. One set of tubes is for the line stage, the other for the phono stage. The CAT SL1 Reference is not affected by coloration in its high-level stages. It's extremely transparent and extended in the deep bass, without a touch of extra bloom or control loss. It makes a smooth and coherent transition from bass to midrange. The CAT SL1 is amazingly accurate and revealing in the midrange. The upper midrange is musically involving without producing artificial emphasis or fatigue. It does an outstanding job of exactly reproducing the intended music. It does a consistently good job of portraying imaging on both the simplest and most complex music—a consistency normally lacking in even the most expensive competition. It does a realistic job of reproducing records and reflecting the differences in apparent listening position, without imposing the character. The Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Reference is an extremely sophisticated, well-engineered unit that will never fail to disappoint in future years, and this is borne out through time. Even after all these years the basic design and topology of the SL-1 has remained more or less the same. From the Reference to the Signature, from the Ultimate to the Renaissance, not to speak of all the MkII’s and MKIII’s, the 2 x 5 tube design is still there: 2 x 6922 for the low noise input, 2 x 12AX7 for the high-gain stage, and 1 x 6922 for the cathode follower. One set of tubes is for the line stage, the other for the phono stage.
Stock No.
7576394989789
