Leema Pyxis Pre Amplifier

Leema Pyxis pre amplifier is designed to form the heard of your system with a matching power amplifier from Leema’s matching reference series – or indeed any other good power amplifier.

This is a high end pre amp with many features and a transparent and musical sound. Any playback source can be connected to this unit, including computers via the USB input. Pyxis can play 24-bit 96kHz files using the quality internal DAC.

Vinyl lovers re not forgotten with a MM or MC phono stage. Unusually there is also a built-in tape loop. The stylish front panel features a large volume knob as well as an intuitive source selector. Black and silver finishes are available.

Great connectivity

The versatility of this unit is exceptional. There are balanced inputs for CD and phono as well as RCA inputs for tuner, Aux and AV. There are two switchable inputs for Moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges. The outputs for a power amplifier are also balanced. Moreover, the front panel features an MP3 input as well as a 3.5mm headphone socket.

Built in DAC

The Pyxis preamp also has a built in DAC to play digital sources via a SPDIF input. It can play files up to 24-bit at 96kHz. In fact the unit is fully balanced throughout with two separate preamplifiers, one for each channel. DAC stands for Digital Analogue Convertor. It is important that this is of good quality as most sources are digital nowadays.

LIPS control interface

LIPS is a control bus developed by Leema. It interconnects each audio unit in an ‘intelligent’ way. It will also integrate with home automation systems. LIPS stands for Leema Intelligent Protocol System. The bus sends information about volume, input selection and power control. One example of use is volume control. For example, the sound signal can be sent at a high level, with the volume being controlled by the input stage of the power amp. This is designed to improve the signal to noise ratio.

Why a tape loop?

Unusually, the Pyxis preamp features a tape loop. Cassettes and reel to reel tapes are increasing in popularity. In fact, master tape recordings are being released on reel to reel tape. There are also rumours that mainstream manufactures will again be producing cassette decks. The tape loop output feeds whatever the input is set to, to a recording deck. While the tape input is self explanatory. The tape loop was also once used for connecting equalisers, although nowadays at most listeners using this will be with a reel to reel or high end cassette deck e.g. Nakamichi.

Moving coil and moving magnet cartridges

The PliXiR is also a good choice for vinyl collectors. There are no less than three phono inputs. This includes an XLR balanced phono input. The other two inputs are for moving magnet or moving coil cartridge types. Two inputs are required because moving coil cartridges have a much lower output than moving magnet types. In fact, this can be less than 1mV. They also have different impedance and capacitance requirements.

What is a balanced connector?

Like most high-end audio equipment, the Leema Pyxis preamp features balanced as well as RCA connectors. Balanced connectors use XLR plugs and sockets. These are much higher quality than phono plugs. They are also better shielded from interference. Noise and interference are the reason why balanced connectors are used. RCA leads only have two conductors, a signal or hot wire, and a shield, or ground. This makes them prone to noise and hum pickup.

This happens especially with low signal levels and long cable runs. On the other hand, balanced cables have three conductors a positive and negative signal and a ground wire. Notably an audio signal uses a zero volts ground reference and swings both positive and negative. Therefore, a balanced cable carries two signals that are out of phase with each other. When the signals are recombined at the preamp any noise is cancelled out. Balanced devices have to be specially designed to do this.