The PR-102 is a Stereo Preamplifier kit. It is the successor to the popular PR-101 Stereo Preamplifier. Compared to the PR-101, it adds the following two new features:
The F3 control is now labeled "MONO". When activated, it combines the left and right channels into a single MONO signal.
The F4 control is now labeled "HUSH". When activated, it drops the signal level by 20 dB. That's handy if you often listen at background levels, or just need to quickly drop the music level
down to take a phone call or speak with your significant other.
The version shipping as of October 2021 has black knobs with silver accents, and a new design for the tone volume board. That new design uses a motorized ALPS pot for the volume control. The tone controls are based on an
equalizer topology rather than a Baxandall tone control.
You can build a PR-102. It's a good looking preamp that sounds great! You can build it and listen to it
today, but it has 3 option slots that let you extend its capabilities in the future. Here's a quick list of the features and benefits:
Remote control - you control volume, balance, and input sources without leaving your favorite listening seat. Note that initial PR-102 preamps will be shipped with PR-101 remote controls.
Tone controls with bypass-tweaked or flat, the choice is yours. Bypass makes comparisons easy.
Control two amplifiers - great for high-end multi-amplifier systems
Accommodates Two Tape Recorders - support complex systems without playing patch-cord bingo
Plays nicely with Ipods cell-phone based music players- the front panel 1/8" input jack makes it easy to put Ipod tunes through your big speakers and amp
Convenience outlets manage the mess of power cords in your music system
Option Slots - Three option slots let you add future functions, making the most of
your investment
Stacks with the GT-102 (or GT-101) power amp. Makes a great looking, great sounding power-amp/preamp combo
Option Functions - F1 and F2, push-buttons support future functions, assuring the longevity of your preamp
MONO function - listen in Stereo, or combine the input signals to MONO, which is useful to reduce noise when playing 78 records
HUSH function - drops the output level by 20 dB, which is handy when:
you often listen at background levels, as it keeps the volume control in a sweet spot for low level listening
someone comes into your listening room for a short discussion...drop the volume by 20 dB, complete your conversation, and return to the tunes
APP - The Akitika Preamp Platform - solid fundamentals with room to expand makes this the perfect platform for the advanced audio hobbyist
who wants to add new functions, but doesn't want to start from scratch
High Quality Parts - maximize reliability and sound quality, even if it costs a little more
Opamps are inserted into gold sockets. Install the great op-amps we supply, or experiment with your favorites.
120 Volt or 240 Volt operation - use it around the world
Great Fun - Assembling the kit provides you with hours of quiet enjoyment and a feeling of pride and accomplishment in your result.
PR-102 Preamp Back Panel (showing optional gold plated input jacks).
Buy the PR102NR and Save $80
The PR102NR has No Remote control, and doesn't supply motor pots for volume and balance controls. That lets us pass $80 in savings on
to you, so the preamp costs just $379 plus $26 shipping in 48 states. Yes, you'll have to get out of your favorite listening chair to
adjust volume and balance, and change your input and output selections, but you'll save $80!
Obsolete manuals covering older versions may be found at the bottom of this page. Please don't use the obsolete manuals unless you are building a kit that was squirreled
away in someone's closet!
Note also that we've placed the schematics in the PR-102's manual.
Specifications
Here are a few of the specifications that I've had time to post. I'll add more specs as time allows.
Output impedance (Amp A and Amp B) - 1025 Ohms, DC coupled
Output impedance (To Tape 1 and To Tape 2) - 1000 Ohms, DC coupled
Gain from High Level inputs to Amp A and Amp B outputs - 17 dB (maximum volume setting)
Gain from High Level inputs to To Tape 1 and To Tape 2 outputs - 0 dB
Input impedance (all high level inputs but Tape 1 and Tape 2) - 50.25 K Ohms when selected, 100K Ohms when not selected
Input impedance (Tape 1 and Tape 2) - 50.25K always
Distortion is really low. Here are some representative measurements. Many are at or below the floor of the most sophisticated
measuring instruments. * indicates not measured, since not available from Audio Precision FFT residual test
Distortion Tests (dB relative to fundamental, Zload=100K unless otherwise stated, tone controls off unless otherwise
stated)
Frequency
Input (vrms)
Output (Vrms)
2nd harmonic
3rd harmonic
4th harmonic
5th harmonic
1 kHz
0.1
0.7
-
< -120
< -120
< -120
1 kHz
1
1
-120
-132
-135
-
1 kHz
1
7
-113
-117
-135
-130
1 kHz
4
7
-109
-121
-137
-127
1 kHz (tone controls on, but flat)
4
7
-110
-120
-137
-126
1 kHz (tone off, 600 Ohm load)
1
2.5
-125
-112
-122
-118
100 Hz, 600 Ohm load
1
2.63
-122
-122
-131
-131
10 kHz
2
7
-96
*
*
*
Frequency response - CD input to amp output - -0.25 dB at 10 Hz and -1 dB at 100 kHz (600 Ohm source, maximum gain). Other paths have
similar results.
Dimensions: 15" Wide x 10" Deep x 4.5" Height (includes height of the feet)
Shipping Weight: 12 lbs
Power Supply Capability
The PR102 accommodates option cards to add additional functions. The amount of stuff that can be added is limited by the available
power from the power supply. A conservative specification for that power is:
12 Volt - 200 mA
-12 Volt - 200 mA
5 Volt - 750 mA
Power Drain of the stock kit
12 Volt - 64 mA
-12 Volt - 64 mA
5 Volt - 120 mA typical, depends upon number of relays energized (30 mA per relay)
About the Value
Why just $499 for the PR102 kit? Just $419 for the kit with no remote? I really don't know why I sell these kits at such a reasonable price. When you consider:
The kit has really great parts and custom metal work.
You can expand and upgrade the preamp.
It comes with a pre-built custom remote control so you can adjust the sound and change inputs from anywhere in your listening room.
Even though the opamps are included, it comes with gold plated sockets for the opamps (30 micro-inches) to allow you to experiment with your sound
A custom toroidal power transformer for low noise
It handles two tape decks to handle complex systems and external processors
Assembly provides hours of entertainment.
The ability to upgrade your PR-102 can provide hours of future fun.
Listening with the PR-102 will provide you with years of enjoyment.
At $419 for the PR102NR kit (no remote control, no motor pots for volume and balance), you still get all the benefits of the PR102. You'll just have
to get out of your favorite listening seat to adjust balance or volume, or select among the various sources and outputs.
The stock preamp doesn't have a built-in phono preamp. It didn't make sense to include
it in the basic preamp, since many folks don't do vinyl these days. However, you can read about the
Phono Preamp here
The stock preamp doesn't have a headphone amp. There's a front panel jack for it so that it's easy to add, but once again, the headphone amp isn't part
of the standard PR-102.
Gold Plated RCA Jacks come standard!
Testimonials
Lots of happy customers!
I've started to collect and post reviews and reflections by folks who have built the PR-101. I've posted a few testimonials here for you to look at. Since the PR-102 is new, we don't have testimonials available to share yet.
If you've built a PR-102, please send me your thoughts. If you'd like me to share them, also send along your permission for me to
to post them.
Bob Grossman's Review of the PR-101
Bob has a lot of crazy high end equipment. He reviews for AV showrooms, is a fine musician, and is principal librarian for the
Philadelphia Orchestra. Here's his review of the kit.
You build it using the PR-102 manual, following the instructions on building the Tone Volume board, with a few very important exceptions, as as outlined in this document.
Please note that we don't have labels available for either the remote or the PR-101 to redefine F3 and F4...you'll just have to know.
Here's a gallery of pictures taken by one of my customers, Marc, while assembling his PR101. It also includes pictures taken
while building the phono preamp (not included in the base price of the kit). Assembly of the PR-102 is very similar, and we hope to have pictures available of the PR-102 assembly process shortly.
