BLACK CUBE SE II
The Black Cube SE, Further Evolved — More Dynamics, Greater Detail
Description ⌄
Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II — premium MM/MC phono stage. The Black Cube SE II is the top-of-range model in Lehmannaudio's iconic Black Cube phono preamplifier series, representing nearly three decades of continuous refinement. The SE II uses professional input stages of the latest generation and a passive RIAA compensation network with high-grade, surge-proof, narrow-tolerance polypropylene foil capacitors for a frequency-response accuracy that rivals far more expensive designs. Maximum gain of 66dB (plus an optional extra +10dB stage) handles even the lowest-output MC cartridges, while input impedance (47kΩ/1kΩ/100Ω/custom) and capacitance (47–1,347pF) are fully configurable. SNR measures 86dB MM A-weighted and 77dB MC A-weighted; THD is as low as 0.0002% through the midrange. Reviewed in Hi-Fi News and praised by Analog Planet. Audio section: 113×108×45mm.
Technical background
The Black Cube SE II extends the SE platform with further circuit refinement — improved passive component tolerances, tighter gain matching, and an enhanced power supply option via the external PWX II. The result is a lower noise floor, greater dynamic range, and improved channel separation relative to the SE.
Design story
The SE II represents the culmination of Lehmann Audio's incremental refinement approach to the Black Cube platform — years of production experience, component evaluation, and circuit measurement translated into a final, definitive version of the iconic design.
Best for
Discerning vinyl listeners wanting class-leading clarity and channel separation at under €1,000; the definitive compact phono stage from Lehmann Audio Serious analogue enthusiasts who have outgrown the original Black Cube SE; users of high-output MC and top-tier MM cartridges High-performance MM and MC phono amplification; two-box reference option with external PSU; demanding analogue system component
Awards & press
⭐ Hi-Fi News Editor's Choice "This little box of tricks majors on clarity and separation rather than richness or warmth... sounds lucid, detailed and exceptionally clean." — James Michael Hughes, StereoNET "This little box of tricks majors on clarity and separation rather than richness or warmth — sounds lucid, detailed and exceptionally clean." — James Michael Hughes, StereoNET "The Black Cube SE II is an outstanding phono stage — lucid, dynamic and with exceptional channel separation." — Hi-Fi Choice
Features ⌄
- Special Edition II Black Cube with further enhanced circuit refinement and improved dynamic range
- MM and MC compatible with fully adjustable gain and load; pairs with Lehmann's external PSU for maximum performance
- Award-winning design with Class A discrete transistors and premium passive components; made in Germany
- Further circuit refinement; improved dynamic range; pairs with external PSU for maximum performance
- Fully adjustable gain and load; discrete Class A; award-winning design