The quality of the internal construction matches that of the exterior. The elaborately designed power supply unit is located separately from the actual preamplifier. A vacuum tube rectifies the anode voltage. Four oscillation-damped 6922EH (double triode) tubes, which are ideally suited to the application, provide the pre-amplification on channel-separated circuit boards. MC signals are brought to MM voltage level before electrical amplification by means of Lundahl transformers. Mundorf, the Cologne-based component specialist, says of its MCap capacitors that they are »characterised by musical beauty and elegance, finely nuanced and vividly luminous sound colours, extremely fine detail and the sheer joy of music«. No wonder, then, that Canor's chief developer Zdeňek Březovják has these capacitors installed in the Asterion V2's feedback-free circuitry.
Secret revealed?
Tubes are a nice topic when it comes to discussing aspects of sound quality. After all, Canor knows how these components can be used sensibly and, above all, which steps are necessary beforehand for the selection of the tube sets. However, the power supply in the Asterion V2 is likely to be relevant to the sound in the most positive sense. There are numerous voltage-stabilising blocks, or in other words: there are more than enough of them. The power supply is encapsulated in a vacuum with an anti-vibration compound in order to suppress resonances and hum almost completely. This is also the classic Slovakian recipe for all their electronic components: They use excellent components, mechanically and electrically optimise the signal path and avoid vibrations, resonances and sound-reducing interference. That sounds simple, but not all manufacturers are as consistent as Canor.
The number of phono preamps in the i-fidelity.net listening room can certainly be described as impressive. This is due to the fact that this category of equipment can have a noticeable influence on the sound quality. This is usually less about the categories of »better« or »worse« and more about the flavour experience, as with different wines. The Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez, whose best-known works include "Bésame Mucho", published in 1941, died in 2005. We like Linda Sharrok's interpretation very much, because she draws out all the subtleties and enormous depth from the piece. The Asterion V2 adds lustre and radiance to the notes, creating a tonal and musical appeal that sets new standards. What have the Slovakians designed here?
