LAB 12 PRE 1 Preamplifier

LAB 12 is recognised by audiophiles and music lovers for the quality of its tube electronics and for the musicality they deliver.

LAB 12 PRE 1: front panel

Like every product from this manufacturer, the PRE 1's aluminium front panel is extremely understated. On the left sits a rotary selector used to choose one of the 5 inputs. To its left, five vertical red LEDs indicate the source being played. On the right of the panel sits the volume potentiometer, and at its centre three LEDs indicate power-on and the operation of the left and right channels. A remote control handles input selection and volume adjustment.

LAB 12 PRE 1: connections

At the rear of the unit are 5 stereo RCA inputs. The outputs, for their part, are offered in RCA or XLR format. Power is supplied through a C13 IEC socket. It is worth using a high-quality power cable.

The RCA and XLR sockets are of excellent quality.

LAB 12 PRE 1: technology

The PRE 1 is built around a circuit that is entirely pure tube. Two matched 6922 dual-triode tubes provide the gain and handle impedance matching.

The power supply uses a toroidal transformer combined with four transistor-based regulated stages. This provides precise, effective filtering along with a considerable power reserve for a unit in this category. It allows the PRE 1 to handle the most subtle and the most demanding dynamic shifts.

The PRE 1 was designed as a true dual-mono preamplifier, with LAB 12's exclusive Fine Symmetry® and SRSG® technologies implemented on every stage. Countless hours of listening led to a rigorous selection of high-end audiophile components, in order to obtain the maximum harmonic richness, dynamics, transparency and definition.

The LAB 12 PRE 1's power-on delay imposes a 1-minute warm-up time.

LAB 12 PRE 1: sound

The LAB 12 PRE 1 is a fairly atypical tube preamplifier because, unlike its tube-based rivals, it does not specifically aim for a "warm and round" sound. Despite the use of 6922 tubes, it does not deliver a thick, mellow or romantic presentation. Nor is it ever aggressive or hard.

The sound is very clean and transparent, and appears very lightly coloured.

The midrange is highly legible, favouring voices and acoustic instruments with fine presence and emotion. It is paired with an open, detailed treble of great finesse.

Attacks are crisp, particularly in the bass. The bass is taut, with a good sense of rhythm and punch. The soundstage is wide and precise and offers good localisation of sources. The stereo image is as convincing in depth as it is in width.

The PRE 1 is also very quiet, which allows it to extract the maximum amount of detail.

The LAB 12 PRE 1 embodies a passion for music, respecting it and adding as little colouration as possible while favouring timbre and nuance.

This preamplifier will appeal to the most demanding music lovers, at a price that leaves it without rival in terms of musicality and performance.

Our favourite!

AWARDS: HiFi Pig "Highly Recommended", Alpha Audio "Highly Recommended"

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the LAB 12 PRE 1

Can the LAB 12 PRE 1 drive any power amplifier?

Its specifications make it highly versatile: 21 dB of gain, a maximum output of 14 V RMS and an output impedance of 900 Ω. It also offers an unbalanced RCA output and a balanced XLR output, so it can be connected to a solid-state or a tube power amplifier alike, with the XLR link preferred over longer cable runs.

Do you need to wait before listening?

Yes. As with most tube electronics, a delay is built into the power-on sequence: the PRE 1 imposes a 1-minute warm-up before the signal is passed. This is normal behaviour and gives the two 6922 dual triodes time to reach their operating point.

Which connections should be used between the PRE 1 and the rest of the system?

The PRE 1 offers 5 stereo line inputs on RCA connectors, and outputs available in RCA or XLR format. The sockets fitted to the unit are of excellent quality, so it would be a shame to hold them back with entry-level cables. The choice between unbalanced and balanced mostly depends on your components and on cable length, a subject covered in our guide to the different types of Hi-Fi cables.

Does the PRE 1 have a phono input?

No. Its 5 inputs are stereo line inputs. To connect a turntable, a phono preamplifier must be placed between the turntable and one of the PRE 1's line inputs, chosen to suit your MM or MC cartridge.