Art Audiophile Hybrid Pre

The tube-equipped preamp Art Audiophile hybrid preamp first appears in the 1991 Funkausstellung brochure as the successor to the pre:

"The musical qualities of the tube are indispensable. The disadvantages of high impedance are eliminated with transistor converters, so for the first time a true hybrid. Its characteristics: unprecedented spatial illumination, exact graduation, highly musical and honest."

In the 1993 Funkausstellung brochure, the manufacturer knows how to report the following:

"This hybrid preamplifier uses eight low-wear, selected industrial tubes, with transistor impedance converters connected downstream to all outputs. The sonic character of the tube is thus preserved. Long cable runs are therefore possible without any loss of sound quality. A phase-locked subsonic filter is permanently installed in the phono branch, starting at 30 Hz. The inputs and outputs for two record/playback devices can be adapted to the most modern components by means of switches located on the rear panel. All record/playback branches pass through tube circuits, all outputs are analogous in phase to the inputs, so there are no inversions. Since all voltage and resistance values comply with DIN standards, compatibility with third-party products is guaranteed. MKP capacitors, ceramic sockets and relays with gold contacts, as well as regulators with high synchronisation accuracy are of course standard. A low leakage toroidal transformer with dual Delon anode voltage circuit ensures very good external voltage values."

The hybrid pre is quoted a new price of 3,900 marks in 1993.