Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
The Black Cube SE brings honest, relaxed vinyl replay with convincing instrumental colour, realistic vocals and the composure to handle orchestral scale. Part Time Audiophile found this compact two-box phono stage exceptionally capable for its class, while selectable gain, loading and bass filtering deliver versatile cartridge matching for MM and most moving-coil systems.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Cartridge Compatibility
90/100
Build Quality
84/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Balanced, relaxed and musically satisfying presentation with convincing timbre and no obvious tonal excess.
Flexible gain, loading and bass-filter options accommodate MM cartridges and all but the lowest-output MC designs.
Strong value: performance was judged surprisingly accomplished for its price and suitable for newcomers through experienced vinyl listeners.
Cons
Gain adjustment requires removing the cover and handling small, awkwardly accessed internal jumpers.
It does not match far costlier reference gear for image depth, width, refinement and three-dimensionality.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
With the Ortofon Rondo Bronze, the Black Cube SE was described as honest, well-proportioned and relaxed, with convincing instrumental colour and no excess in any one area. It handles complex arrangements and large-scale orchestral material capably, although the reviewer heard some reduction in the perceived width and depth of a real piano.
Transparency Noise Floor
87/100
The reviewer found piano convincingly reproduced as an actual piano rather than a distorted or artificial imitation. Vocals and accompaniment were also heard as realistic and free of stridency, though there is no direct comment on hum, hiss, or background silence.
Tonal Balance Musicality
89/100
Its character is described as honest, well-proportioned and relaxed, with enough of the qualities that make vinyl replay satisfying. The Black Cube SE was also said to preserve the strengths of the Rondo Bronze in a sonically synergistic partnership.
Dynamics
86/100
The Black Cube SE gave a good account of itself on large, well-recorded orchestral works. That suggests convincing scale and control, although the review offers limited detail about microdynamic subtlety or transient attack.
Soundstage Imaging
82/100
It was able to reveal the varied instrumental palette of recordings using sitar, dulcimer and marimba. However, the reviewer noted that it somewhat reduced the illusion of a real piano's size, including its apparent width and depth.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
90/100
Selectable gain up to 66dB, adjustable loading, a custom-load option and a switchable bass filter make this a flexible partner for many cartridges. The review says it accommodates all moving-magnet designs and all but the very lowest-output moving coils, while 100 ohms worked well with the Rondo Bronze.
Build Quality
84/100
The Black Cube SE is a compact two-box solid-state design with a separate power supply. The review notes the thoughtful provision of gain, loading and bass-filter adjustments, but says little about chassis workmanship, shielding, internal construction, or long-term durability.
Value for Money
95/100
At its stated $929 list price, the reviewer calls it a wonderful route into phono replay without spending heavily. Its performance was considered surprising for the money, and it was explicitly characterized as an overachiever suitable for newcomers, budget-minded enthusiasts and owners of larger systems seeking an additional phono input.
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Specifications
- Sensitivity for output level 775 mV/ 0 dB (with activated high gain jumper)
- MM: 3.8 mV/1 kHz; MC: 0.38 mV/1 kHz MM: 46 dB; MC: 66 dB MM: 45 mV; MC: 4,5 mV MM: 71 dB; MC: 63 dB
- Gain
- 36 dB, 46 dB, 56 dB, 66 dB
- Channel separation
- > 85 dB at 10 kHz
- Input impedance
- 47 kohms, 1 kohm, 100 ohms 1 x custom load 1 x hardwire slot
- Output impedance
- 47 ohms
- Input capacitance
- 100 pF
- Channel mismatch
- typ. 0.5 dB
- Bass filter
- 50 Hz, 6 dB/oct.
- Power consumption
- < 3 W
- Outer dimensions W x D x H
- Audio section: 113 mm x 108 mm x 45 mm PWX power supply: 93 mm x 233 mm x 45 mm
- Weight
- Audio section incl. cable to power supply: 0.4 kg netto PWX power supply: 1.0 kg netto
Manufacturer's Description — Lehmann Audio
Our classic Black Cube, equipped with the extra potent PWX power supply – this is the Black Cube SE. That way it has even more power for an exceptionally complex, impressive and emotional reproduction of music.
Just imagine you could get even more out of your favourite record: the Black Cube SE does it with far greater bass authority, very relaxed mids plus enhanced top-end sparkle and openness.
Professional and yet emotional: making music tangible
The Black Cube SE belongs to the premier league of phono preamps. Of course, we use only components of ultimate quality for it. For a particularly low-noise reproduction we e.g. assemble input stages which other makers of professional studio electronics also build into their mixing consoles and microphone preamps.
"The music gets a direction, notes are bowing to arcs of suspense. Whether you’re tapping your feet to the beat, fake the conductor or give free rein to your love of singing, […] – the ’big‘ new Black Cube is by all means a truly talented animator."
Owing to its 66 dB of maximum gain, virtually all common systems from high-output MM to MC may be connected to the Black Cube SE. We have included a free slot per channel for the solder-free fitting of a custom impedance, and there is also an extra hardwired plug-in location with immediate action. Should you wish some resistors to match your personal system to the Black Cube SE, we will enclose them with your order at no cost.
The high-precision passive RIAA filter network sits between two linear gain stages and has been realised using high-grade, surge-proof and narrow tolerated polypropylene foil capacitors. That way transients, dynamics and timbres can reach the listener in a pure manner. The audio section contains additional modules for an efficient hum, HF and random voltage suppression. The use of a double-sided audio board also offers additional ground planes for a zero-interference operation.
The PWX power supply – compact and powerful
The potent external PWX power supply is equally compact in size like the audio section, so the Black Cube SE may be placed right next to your turntable drive, thus minimising potential losses due to cable lengths and leaving no chance for acoustic detriments. Neutrik XLR connectors with gold-plated pins provide the safe contact between audio section and PWX power supply, the connection cable between audio and power section is shielded. Furthermore, the two housings are made of a non-magnetic material (aluminium) and their top lids are mechanically dampened.
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Authorized dealers for Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Arizona Hi-Fi — in-store — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- AUDIO 2000 — in-store — Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Art Cable — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Audio Creativ — in-store — Riedenburg, Bayern, Germany (website)
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