Ypsilon Electronics PST-100 MK2
The Ypsilon PST-100 MK2 makes music feel startlingly unfiltered: a transformer attenuator, no-feedback triode gain stage and silver-wire construction preserve microdetail, tonal color and explosive scale. Mono & Stereo highlights its effortless authority and dimensional poise, while Stereophile praises the remarkably quiet, neutral, wide-bandwidth presentation. It is a purist line stage built for systems that expose every musical nuance.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Connectivity
80/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, low-noise and tonally neutral presentation that lets the music emerge without obvious editorializing.
Combines feather-light detail with powerful dynamic impact, maintaining musical energy at both intimate and large scales.
Transformer-based attenuation and meticulous premium construction help preserve microdynamics, tonal integrity and signal purity.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers describe an unusually transparent and quiet valve preamplifier that combines tonal neutrality with emotional depth rather than overt tube coloration. It is also praised for retaining both fine musical intricacies and large-scale impact, while presenting recordings with convincing dimensionality and depth.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
Stereophile says Ypsilon electronics can seem to "evaporate," leaving less residue and more music, and compares their quietness and tonal neutrality to a respected solid-state reference. Mono & Stereo likewise praises the PST-100's natural transparency, clarity, acuity, and ability to preserve feather-light intricacies.
Tonal Balance Musicality
95/100
Mono & Stereo finds the presentation effortless, refined, and emotionally deep, with no unwanted tension or distortion. It specifically notes that the preamp avoids spotlighting any frequency range, while retaining harmonic density, richness, and an authentic sense of the music.
Dynamics
94/100
The strongest listening report says the PST-100 can convey feather-light detail and thunderous impact with equal authority. Stereophile also characterizes the associated Ypsilon sound as dynamic, while Mono & Stereo says the preamp maintains musical energy and a notably alive quality.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Mono & Stereo reports a three-dimensional projection that does not compromise harmonic density, with spatial expansion that remains faithful to the recording. Its description of unusual depth and balanced horizontal and vertical scale indicates an especially accomplished spatial presentation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
The reviews describe meticulous point-to-point construction using custom pure-silver wire, proprietary transformer cores, and a capacitor-free signal path. The no-feedback C3m gain stage, transformer coupling, valve rectification, and choke-filtered supply suggest an unusually deliberate and substantial engineering approach.
Features Connectivity
80/100
This is a focused line preamplifier centered on a 31-step transformer attenuator, 16dB of gain, and a low 150-ohm output impedance. The supplied reviews do not document balanced connections, remote operation, phono facilities, headphone listening, home-theater bypass, or additional switching options.
Value for Money
85/100
At $25,100, the PST-100 MK2 sits firmly in the cost-no-object high-end segment. Best of High End calls it a pinnacle-level and essential component, but the reviews do not directly compare its price or value against competing preamplifiers.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- BANDWIDTH
- 9Hz-100KHz –3db
- OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
- 150 ohm
- INPUT IMPEDANCE
- 50 Kohm
- GAIN(in active mode)
- x 7(16,9db)
- POWER CONSUMPTION
- 100 VA maximum
- DIMENSIONS
- 400x180x410 (WxHxD)mm
- WEIGHT
- 25 Kgr
Manufacturer's Description — Ypsilon Electronics
Conventional wisdom suggests that the most critical part of a preamplifier is the active circuit design. We, however, believe that the means of signal attenuation (the volume control) is the most critical to the overall sound of a preamplifier. Most designers use resistor attenuators for volume control. We have used resistor attenuators with high quality resistors (Vishay, in the past, felt unsatisfied from the character they induced in the signal. We developed a very special transformer as the means of attenuation, using special winding techniques and highest quality wires and cores. Its performance suppassed that of the best resistor attenuators. In a transformer the magnetic circuit can be ultra linear when the very best core materials are used. The sound of such materials is much more musical and detailed compared with the best resistors. A transformer attenuator with 31 taps is used in the PST100 mk2 providing a total attenuation of 54db in its lowest tap.
The active gain stage is a no – feedback s.e. ,C3m triode, transformer coupled. The power supply uses valve rectification(using the 6CA4) and choke filter. Wiring is point to point with custom made pure silver wire. The transformer attenuator is placed after the valve stage, preserving the purity and micro details of the signal. The gain is 16db. Output impedance is 150 Ω max. PST 100 mk2 is the pinnacle in preamplification. It is a must have component for building a “no holds” system.
PST 100 TA PST 100 is also available without the valve stage for systems that don’t require additional gain. This version is equipped with the transformer attenuators and is called PST 100 TA. Notice that it is fully upgradeable to the full version at any time by returning to factory
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ypsilon Electronics PST-100 MK2
- Audio Art — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Dream Audio — in-store — Innere Stadt, Wien, Slovakia (website)
- Dream Audio Components — online and in-store — Dunaharaszti, Hungary (website)
- Hey Now Hifi — online and in-store — St Kilda, Victoria, Australia (website)
- J&J Audio Solutions — in-store — San Jose, California, United States (website)
- Knox Audio — in-store — New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Musicadomia — in-store — Courbevoie, Île-de-France, France (website)
- Nirvana Sound — in-store — Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Onest Audio — in-store — Rehoboth, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Perfect sense Audio — in-store — Stockholms län, Sweden (website)
and 3 more verified dealers