91%
Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II
The advanced version of the multi-awarded Black Cube SE has a lot to offer: based on the SE audio circuit, the SE II has been upgraded with superior sockets, visually it excels by a housing with a faceplate. A bass filter, which can be finetuned extensively to your personal needs, takes the performance of the Black Cube series to a new level.
As the proud owner of a Black Cube SE II you will get the feeling as if the music had been composed just for you. There is hardly a system that can be tailored so individually to your listening habits and acoustic preferences like this technical masterpiece. The Black Cube SE II will bring you and your favourite music together even more closely!
A truly audiophile phono stage
Virtually all common systems from high-output MM to MC may be connected to the Black Cube SE II. 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 II, we will enclose them with your order at no cost.
"To find more depth and detail in music I know so well was a remarkable experience and I warmed to this little gem of a phono stage all over again."
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. As with the whole Black Cube family, the Black Cube SE II also uses professional input stages of the latest generation for a precise, low-noise and powerful reproduction. The audio section contains additional modules for an efficient hum, HF and random voltage suppression. The use of a double-sided audio board allows an optimised trace layout for a particularly low-interference operation.
The PWX power supply – dependable and powerful
Due to a custom-designed toroidal mains transformer with a static shielding, the strong and seriously oversized external power supply ensures a particularly safe operation. Neutrik XLR connectors with gold-plated pins provide the safe contact between audio section and PWX power supply; the 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.
By the way, with its high-class front panel (silver, black or chrome-plated) the Black Cube SE II also cuts a fine figure in your hifi rack.
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Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II
Lehmann Audio's Black Cube SE II is a compact, high‑gain MM/MC phono stage that pairs incisive clarity with surprising low‑end heft. Reviewed by James Michael Hughes at StereoNET United Kingdom, it delivers a crisp, focused presentation with fast transients, holographic imaging and a silvery treble that reveals percussive detail while preserving deep, well‑defined bass.
Adjustable gain and loading options, plus a 16‑position bass filter and dedicated PWX power supply, make it flexible for both MM and low‑output MC cartridges. The SE II's low noise floor and component upgrades (Mundorf caps in the output stage) support lively dynamics, transparent detail and excellent channel separation. For listeners seeking analytical, high‑resolution playback and strong value, it's a standout.
Pros
- Very low noise floor and outstanding clarity — reviewer noted hum‑free, super‑quiet operation that yields exceptionally clean playback.
- Holographic imaging and strong separation — renders vocals and layered arrangements with lucid detail and precise placement.
- Broad MM/MC compatibility and useful adjustment range — multiple gain settings and loading options support low‑output MC cartridges in real systems.
- Strong value for money — reviewer singled it out as an exceptional phono stage for the price given its performance and component choices.
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Cons
- User adjustments can be fiddly — DIP switches aren’t labeled on the base and the bass filter requires opening the case, making some tweaks awkward for casual users.
- Tonality leans analytical rather than warm — listeners seeking a lush, euphonic coloration may find the presentation more clinical.
Transparency
91/100
Reviewer describes the unit as "hum-free and super-quiet" and "exceptionally clean," indicating a very low noise floor in practical use. Specs show respectable MM/MC SNR figures (MM 71 dB, MC 63 dB) and >80 dB channel separation at 10 kHz; while MC SNR is modest on paper, the measured/subjective silence reported with a ~0.5 mV MC cartridge supports a high Transparency rating. The score reflects excellent real-world quietness for both MM and MC operation while remaining conservative against single-reviewer praise.
Sound Quality
90/100
Reviewer notes fine transient speed, immediacy and clarity, with the music sounding lively and well defined — terms consistent with excellent micro- and macro-dynamic retrieval. The Lehmann's design choices (Mundorf caps in output stage noted by Lehmann) and low noise contribute to punch and dynamic articulation. Score reflects strong dynamic capability as described in the review.
Cartridge Compatibility
92/100
The unit offers multiple gain settings (36/46/56/66 dB) and a range of input impedances (47 kohm, 1 kohm, 100 ohm) plus a custom load and hardwire slot, giving broad support for MM and MC cartridges. The reviewer used it successfully with a 0.5 mV MC and reported ample gain and silence, confirming practical MC suitability. Score reflects full MM/MC flexibility and practical adjustability.
Build Quality
89/100
Lehmann highlights higher-quality components (Mundorf capacitors in the output stage) and supplies a PWX power supply, indicating attention to parts and power-supply design. Channel separation spec (>80 dB at 10 kHz) and the compact robust chassis support good shielding and construction for a small box. Score is high for solid engineering and component choices but tempered slightly by the compact, lightweight form-factor (audio section 0.6 kg) which suggests boutique rather than heavy industrial construction.
Value for Money
95/100
The reviewer explicitly calls it "an exceptional phono stage at the price" and "excellent value for money" at the listed price (~€/$1,169), language that justifies a strong value rating. Given the performance described (very low noise, detailed sound, good MC support) and the included PWX supply/components, the unit clearly punches above many competitors in its price band. Score set in the 95 range to reflect the reviewer's strong, superlative-value language.
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