What is the Insight and who needs it?
The Insight is a combination of solid, thoughtful engineering – with an artisanal attention to every design decision. All the areas of performance, aesthetics, reliability, circuit design, circuit board layout, parts selection, packaging — ALL of those aspects must seamlessly dovetail into one expression. For those with a taste for understated elegance, the Insight will deliver an enduring pride of ownership.
OPTIONAL LPS CONFIGURATION
The Insight can also be ordered with an optional internal Linear Power Supply board. This LPS circuit board has a toroidal power transformer followed by rectification and extensive low-pass filtering. A cascade of passive R-C filtering provides extensive and effective isolation of the audio circuit from any noise or disturbance on the incoming AC power line.
The LPS circuit board is a popular option that adds a more refined musicality with a more solid foundation for dynamic expression.
User Experiences
Hi Ron,
I have to let you know how much I got a kick out of the Timeline. Not only is it a fun piece of audio jewelry, but works better than advertised. Within three minutes we had the new VPI HRX up to speed, or “correct” speed I should say. No strobe disc, and light, etc, just a few minutes staring at a bright red led light. What could be easier, and I now have a perfect speed locked into my speed controller for our turntable, dynamite.
We are constantly playing with trials to see what we can drag up from the depths of an old piece of vinyl and have just pulled out a Crosby Nash, “Whistling Down the Wire” LP that must be at least 25 years old. Two minutes on the VPI 16.5 cleaning machine and on the table. This was a seriously warped disc, but the platter rim weight and center weight put the LP into a seemingly flat position. Dropped the needle and nothing in our digital front end can give so much satisfaction. You don’t have to be a kid to keep finding new ways to enjoy 25 minutes.
I have rarely been able to achieve the level of quality jump in a new digital front end as we have now with the new VPI running through the Hubble, it is just amazing and very satisfying. Great work all the way around. Well back to work, oh wait, this is work. You gotta love it, thanks again.
Sincerely,
Rick
Sutherland Engineering Insight phono preamplifier, by Michael Fremer @ Stereophile
Technical Specs & Notes
Gain Adjustments
There are five available gain settings. Gain is set using the supplied, gold-plated shunts. There is a setting header block for each channel. Position the shunt to the desired gain value. Be sure to set the gain of each channel to the same value.
Power Requirements:
120 VAC
240 VAC (Special Order)
Dimensions (WHD): 17″ x 2 1/2″ x 13″
Weight: 15 lbs.
Price: $1,400
Insight with LPS Configuration: $1,750
Loading Adjustments
There are five available loading settings. Loading is set using the supplied, gold-plated shunts. There is a load setting header block for each channel. Position the shunt to the desired loading value. Be sure to set the loading of each channel to the same value.
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