BLACK CUBE
The Icon That Defined Modern Phono Stage Design — Since 2001
Description ⌄
Lehmann Audio Black Cube — classic MM/MC phono stage. The Black Cube is the phono preamplifier that made Lehmannaudio's reputation. Launched in 1995 and steadily refined, it combines low-noise input stages sourced from professional mixing consoles with a precision passive RIAA network using MKP polypropylene foil capacitors — a topology that ensures accurate tonal balance and wide dynamic range. A compact, non-magnetic aluminium enclosure with a separate power supply allows flexible placement beside any turntable. Gain (36/46/56/66dB) and input impedance (47kΩ/1kΩ/100Ω plus custom) are both user-adjustable via gold-plated switches, making the Black Cube compatible with practically every MM and MC cartridge. SNR: 71dB MM / 63dB MC; channel separation: >85dB. Multiple industry awards including Best of LP 2014.
Technical background
The original Black Cube introduced the concept of a compact, high-performance phono stage with discrete Class A circuitry at an accessible price. Its carefully selected transistors operate at optimised Class A bias points for natural, musical phono reproduction, with adjustable gain and load settings covering a wide range of MM and MC cartridges.
Design story
Launched in 2001 and immediately benchmark-rated by What Hi-Fi? and other publications, the Black Cube established the template for affordable high-performance phono stage design that others have followed for over two decades. Designed entirely in Cologne, it remains in production because it remains excellent.
Best for
Mid-level vinyl listeners wanting the original, benchmark Black Cube performance; the classic affordable phono stage reference Entry-level and intermediate vinyl enthusiasts upgrading from built-in phono stages; MM and MC cartridge users beginning a serious analogue journey MM and MC phono amplification; standalone phono stage for amplifiers without built-in phono; first serious phono upgrade above entry level
Awards & press
⭐ What Hi-Fi? 5 Stars "With this kind of clarity and punchiness, this Lehmann is a great phono amplifier." — What Hi-Fi? (5 stars) "The Black Cube remains one of the best phono stages at its price — an enduring classic that time has not diminished." — What Hi-Fi? "Lehmann's Black Cube is still a benchmark — nothing at its price offers more musical analogue performance." — Hi-Fi Choice
Features ⌄
- Award-winning phono stage with fully discrete Class A circuit — industry benchmark since its introduction
- MM and MC compatible with adjustable load and gain settings for a wide range of cartridges
- Compact form factor with high-quality toroidal power supply; made in Germany
- Adjustable gain and load settings for MM and MC cartridge compatibility
- High-quality toroidal power supply; fully discrete Class A circuit; compact form factor