The Apex Pinnacle 2 and Pinnacle 2 Ultra
The Apex Pinnacle 2 and Pinnacle 2 Ultra
are an evolution of the Apex Pinnacle headphone amp and preamp.
Like its predecessor, the Pinnacle 2 uses
a single-ended two-stage amplifier circuit using a 6SN7 and two PX4
directly-heated triodes. The Pinnacle 2 Ultra
uses the exquisite Emission Labs PX4 tubes.
Both the input and output signals are
coupled through very high quality audio transformers, providing truly balanced
inputs and outputs. New C-core output
transformers are employed in the Pinnacle 2, with an amorphous core in the
Ultra version. Three inputs are accommodated, from either balanced or
unbalanced RCA or XLR connections. Three
output impedance selections are available for both balanced and unbalanced
headphones, and a preamp out mode drives both balanced and unbalanced outputs. The input and output selections are made via
a front panel switches, which activate relays that are strategically located to
keep the signal path direct and pure.
Although it uses the same basic circuit as
the original Pinnacle, the Pinnacle 2 received many component upgrades, like a
new medical-grade power transformer, as well as a number of aesthetic
enhancements. The Pinnacle 2 Ultra
includes several key upgrades from the Pinnacle 2, including silver foil
paper-in-oil coupling capacitors and Spiral Groove Strange Attractor feet.
Pinnacle 2 Specifications
Tube complement: Input - one 6SN7 • Output
- two PX4, Sophia (standard) or Emission Labs (Ultra)
Inputs:
Three, all with XLR and RCA connectors, balanced or unbalanced
Line output: XLR and RCA, balanced or unbalanced
Volume control: High quality 47-step attenuator
Headphone outputs: 1/4" TRS
unbalanced, 4-pin XLR balanced • Can drive loads from 16 ohms and up.
Dimensions: Amplifier - 17" wide x 3" tall x
11" deep • Power supply - 17" wide x 3" tall x 11" deep
Power:
120V or 240V, 50/60Hz, 100 Watts
Maximum gain High Impedance: 27dB
Low
impedance: 21dB
IEM:
6dB
All
can be reduced by 6dB via rear panel gain selection switch
Maximum output High Impedance into 150 ohms: 27V RMS
Low
impedance into 32 ohms: 10V RMS
IEM
into 16 ohms: 1.6V RMS
Frequency response 20Hz – 40kHz +/- 0.5dB
Feature Summary
Original
Pinnacle Pinnacle 2 Pinnacle
2 Ultra
EI-core output transformer Silicon Iron C-core transformer Amorphous Iron C-core transformer
Sophia PX4 output tubes Sophia PX4 output tubes Emission Labs PX4 output tubes
Tung-Sol 6SN7 input tube Tung-Sol 6SN7 input tube NOS US 6SN7WGT input tube
Copper foil PIO capacitors Copper foil PIO capacitors Pure silver foil PIO capacitors
24-step attenuator 47-step attenuator 47-step attenuator