New for the summer and shown for the first time this weekend at the 2019 CanJam London Show, Rupert Neve Designs introduces Fidelice: a new product range for the high-fidelity audio market. The initial product lineup includes the Precision headphone amplifier, Precision phono pre-amplifier, and Precision digital-to-analog converter.
From Josh Thomas, Rupert Neve Designs’ general manager: “We are extremely proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with the Fidelice range of products, and it’s exciting to be able to provide what has become the reference in world class studios to the audiophile and hi-fi communities. This brings Rupert’s designs full circle, as his first commercial endeavor was actually CQ Audio, a British Hi-Fi company.”
The Precision digital-to-analog converter is the new range’s flagship product, built around pure Class-A topologies with transformer balanced XLR outputs In DSD mode, the DAC is capable of operating at DSD512 (22.4MHz), and in PCM mode the the DAC is capable of reproducing 24-bit, 384 kHz files. According to the company, “Pristine clocking with the top-of-the-line AKM converter chips and highly customized integration make the precision DAC a true reference level product.” The Precision DAC’s rear panel also features digital filter sets to further adapt the sound for any system.
The headphone amplifier within the Precision DAC elevates the RNHP, with an entirely new design featuring the inclusion of XLR balanced and Pentaconn balanced connections in addition to the 1/4-inch unbalanced output. It also includes a high-gain switch making it capable of driving the most difficult-to-power headphones.
The Precision phono pre-amplifier is a new design based around the classic amplifier topologies that have made Rupert Neve’s microphone preamplifiers so sought-after for decades. Purpose-designed low-noise JFET-based discrete Class-A amplifiers are implemented throughout the signal path for both MM and MC gain stages. The Precision phono pre-amplifier includes a switchable 18dB/octave rumble filter, and the MM signal path also includes selectable capacitance of either 110pF or 220pF to pair with a large variety of cartridges.
Finally, the Precision headphone amplifier is an updated version of Rupert Neve Designs’ RNHP, a 24V reference-quality headphone amplifier, complete with a new steel & wood industrial design that makes it at home in any living room or office. Each of its three sets of inputs is specifically calibrated for optimal level and impedance, and it offers open sonic performance and power to drive any headphones without compromise.
The Precision phono pre-amplifier and Precision headphone amplifier are shipping at the end of August 2019, with the Precision DAC shipping at the end of September 2019. All Fidelice products are made in the USA and feature steel & wood construction.
