Neutron

The Leema Acoustics Neutron is a preamplifier and DAC for analogue and digital sources. Its analogue section includes an onboard RIAA phono stage for MM and MC cartridges, 4 RCA line-level inputs and 1 balanced XLR input. Each analogue input can be assigned for Home Theatre bypass.

Digital sources are supported through 3 S/PDIF optical inputs, 3 S/PDIF coaxial inputs and an asynchronous USB interface. Conversion is handled by an ESS Sabre 9018 DAC, with low-jitter performance across the digital inputs. The Neutron can connect to a power amplifier through either XLR or RCA outputs, and also provides 2 dedicated subwoofer outputs.

The circuit uses a low-noise design with a layout intended to minimise inter-channel cross-talk and reduce distortion with either analogue or digital sources. The design also supports the reproduction of low-level musical detail.

• Frequency response (pre-amp): (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) +0.0 to –0.01dB/–0.45dB
• Distortion: (20Hz-20kHz; 0dBV/0dBFs) 0.00006-0.0004% / 0.0011-0.015%
• Unbalance (RCA) inputs: 4 x Line level inputs
• Balanced (XLR) inputs: 1 x XLR input
• Phono stage type: MM / MC
• Coax SPDIF 75 ohm digital inputs: 3 x SPDIF >192kHz / Optical SPDIF / 3 x Toslink >96kHz / USB / 1 x asynchronous USB interface >192kHz
• DAC type: 1 x ESS Sabre 9018
• Jitter: (USB at 48kHz/96kHz) <5psec / 20psec
• Dimensions: 440x109x325mm
• Weight: 5kg

The Leema Acoustics Neutron combines analogue preamplification, MM and MC phono support, digital input switching and ESS Sabre 9018 conversion in a single component.