There has never been a more appropriate name for any preamplifier than this.

Dozens of new preamps have been raved about as “the best ever,” “state of the art,” or “the last preamp you will ever buy” only to wind up on the trash heap of history selling online for next to nothing, or just sitting in some old basement unused for decades.

The first preamplifier in history which could be called “legendary” is the Marantz Model 7, culminating in the especially famous “C” version. The 7C went on to be THE most coveted preamplifier of the 1950s and continued to sell for decades. The Marantz 7C was never bested for 30 years, until the introduction of the SL1 by CAT.

The Legend is to the SL1 what the “C” version was to the Model 7: perfection polished to an ethereal sheen. By far the finest preamplifier available today and we predict it will remain so for the next 30 years because, after all, Legends never die.

• Gain (@1kHz): Line 25.8 dB (“high”) / 15.2 dB (“low”), Phono 47dB MM / 58 dB MC (low) / 64dB MC (high)
• Gain Tracking: Line .05dB, Phono .05dB
• Frequency Response: Line 0.1Hz to 1.5 MHz+0, -3dB Phono RIAA +/- 0.05dB 20Hz to 20kHz (MC & MM)
• Harmonic Distortion (@ 1 volt): Line less than .0001% Phono less than .0005%
• Slew Rate: Line 15 volts/microsec, Phono 10 volts/microsec
• Maximum Output (@1kHz): Line & phono 50 volts rms
• Input Overload: Line 1000 volts rms Phono MM 250 mv rms at 1kHz, MC 70 mv rms
• Noise: Line High 98 dBA, Low 109 dBA below2 volt output MM 80dB below 1mv input. (0.10uv EIN) MC high 96 dbA below 1mv input (0.018 EIN)
• Separation: Line greater than 100 dB Phono greater than 100 dB
• Input Impedance: Line 50 kohms, 20pf Phono 47.5 kohms, 180 pf (user adjustable) MC 2,000 ohms
• Output Impedance: Line 100 ohms, Phono 50 ohms
• Maximum Load: Line under 4000 pf, over 5000 ohms Phono under 4000 pf, over 10,000 ohms
• Dimensions: Main Chassis - 19.0” X 5.24” X 12.2” Power Supply - 12,2” X 4.0” X 6.0”
• Weight: Net 80 lbs., Ship 85 lbs.
• Power Requirements: 120v, 60Hz, 80 watts (export version available)

“There is honesty, beauty, and authority in the Legend’s sound, and in equal parts.” - SoundStage!

“The level of perfection [the Legend] reveals is almost unbelievable.” - LP Magazine