Aries Cerat Incito Preamplifier
Best preamplifier for audiophiles seeking pure, transparent, and three-dimensional sound.
The Aries Cerat Incito S Preamplifier offers a pure and clean audio experience, characterized by exceptional bass control and remarkable transparency. It achieves an incredibly low noise floor, rivaling high-end transistor designs, and creates a wide, deep soundstage with precise, three-dimensional imaging. At its heart is a TVC system featuring a premium input transformer for signal attenuation. For optimal performance, allow 30-45 minutes for warm-up. The unit includes an external, non-actively regulated power supply connected via a permanent umbilical cord.
$21000.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.9
/ 5
Category Rank
1
/ 274
Best Signal Processors
Price vs Category Average
+43%
Above average
Tube List
2280154
/ x EF, x AR (rectifier)
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking lifelike, holographic sound reproduction
- Listeners demanding absolute sonic stability and dynamic headroom
- Tube enthusiasts wanting high-performance, long-lasting components
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers exploring entry-level or mid-range systems
- Owners with limited rack space or poor ventilation
- Users requiring modern digital connectivity and remote convenience
Performance breakdown
Signal Transparency
Reveals micro-details and musical nuance with startling, lifelike clarity.
Soundstage Imaging
Constructs a vast, three-dimensional space with pinpoint instrument placement.
Noise Floor
Achieves silent backgrounds that rival the best solid-state designs.
Bass Authority
Delivers deep, controlled low-end response with exceptional grip and texture.
Build Integrity
Massive thirty-four kilogram chassis reflects uncompromising, high-end construction standards.
Operational Convenience
Requires significant warm-up time and careful placement of the external supply.
Key Specs
Tube List
2 x E280F, 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
Full Swing Signal Bandwidth
-6db @ 4Hz~140kHz
Typical Harmonic Distortion
0.005%
Maximum Harmonic Distortion
Less than 0.1% THD at 20V rms
Maximum Signal Output Swing
32Vrms @ 10kohm load
Output Impedance
<50ohm (12ohm in -6db mode)
Weight
34kg (74.96 lbs)
Inputs
5 x RCA pairs, 1 x Balanced pair, 1 x AC link proprietary input
Features
- Clear musical presentation with excellent bass control
- High transparency revealing musical nuance and detail
- Extremely low noise floor performance
- Creates wide, deep, three-dimensional soundstage
- TVC system with high-quality input transformer
- Balances tube and transistor equipment qualities
- Balanced and RCA connectivity options
- External, non-actively regulated power supply
What customers say
The Aries Cerat Incito Preamplifier is widely regarded as an elite endgame component due to its extraordinary sonic performance. Reviewers consistently praise its breathtaking dynamic range and transient speed, which is both explosive and controlled. The technical foundation, featuring sophisticated tube rectification, delivers exceptional transparency and a very low noise floor. Customers report a profound sense of musicality, achieving the organic timbre of tubes without sacrificing detail or speed. Furthermore, the soundstage presentation is frequently described as vast, holographic, and possessing remarkable depth. While positioned in the ultra-high-end niche, owners feel this component fundamentally transforms their system, revealing previously unheard texture and nuance. It delivers reference level performance that justifies its premium status.
Know before you buy
The Transformer Volume Control (TVC) system uses a high-quality input transformer for signal attenuation rather than traditional resistive potentiometers. This approach preserves signal integrity and transparency, allowing for a cleaner, more dynamic audio path.
For optimal performance, the unit requires a warm-up period of 30 to 45 minutes. This allows the tubes and internal components to reach their stable operating temperature, ensuring the best soundstage and clarity.
The external power supply is non-actively regulated and connects to the main unit via a permanent umbilical cord. Because of its weight and the fixed connection, ensure you have enough shelf space to accommodate both the preamplifier and the power supply unit side-by-side or on adjacent levels.
Yes, the Incito S is designed for versatility and includes five pairs of RCA inputs and one pair of balanced inputs. This allows it to integrate seamlessly into systems using a mix of tube and transistor components.
The preamplifier offers selectable gain steps of -20db or -14db. This flexibility allows you to match the output level of the preamplifier precisely to the sensitivity of your power amplifier, ensuring optimal volume control range and signal-to-noise performance.
The unit is engineered for exceptional bass control, providing a tight and authoritative low-end response. Combined with its wide, three-dimensional soundstage, it delivers a presentation that balances the musicality of tubes with the precision typically found in high-end transistor designs.
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$21000