TANGO APEX NEO
Flagship Phono Stage with Headphone Amplifier — Tango Apex Neo Dual-Mono Reference
Description ⌄
Acoustic Signature Tango Apex Neo — reference phono preamplifier. The Tango Apex Neo is Acoustic Signature's dual-mono reference phono preamplifier — a 34.5 kg statement piece machined from solid aluminum with fully balanced XLR inputs, three total inputs (one XLR, two RCA), and both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs. An integrated 900 mW headphone amplifier supports loads from 30 to 250 Ω. All gain settings (40–70 dB in four steps) and input impedance values are individually adjustable per input via the full remote control, and a 100-step volume control allows it to drive a power amplifier directly. RIAA accuracy of ±0.2 dB and channel separation exceeding 89 dB at 1 kHz confirm its reference credentials. Supports MM, MI, and MC cartridges.
Technical background
The Tango Apex Neo uses a fully dual-mono circuit topology with balanced XLR inputs, 100-step relay-switched volume control and all gain/impedance settings individually adjustable per input. Gain range 40–70 dB covers every cartridge type. The built-in 900 mW headphone amplifier uses an independent circuit from the phono stage — it is not a tap off the phono output. RIAA accuracy is ±0.2 dB with channel separation exceeding 89 dB.
Design story
Designed as the definitive phono stage from Acoustic Signature — a product that addresses every limitation of conventional phono stage design: dual-mono for maximum channel separation, balanced inputs for noise rejection, 100-step volume control for precise level matching, and an independent headphone amplifier for solo listening without additional hardware.
Best for
Reference analogue systems pairing an Invictus or Invictus Jr. NEO with a flagship MC cartridge; audiophiles who want a phono stage with built-in headphone amplification High-end analogue system owners wanting a flagship phono stage with headphone capability; owners of MC, MI and MM cartridges requiring maximum gain and impedance flexibility Reference phono stage for high-end analogue front-end; dual-purpose phono/headphone amplifier; flagship system anchor
Awards & press
"The Tango Apex Neo is a fully realised reference phono stage — its dual-mono architecture, remote control and headphone output make it the most versatile flagship phono stage available." — Hi-Fi News "Acoustic Signature has created a phono stage that stands alongside the finest available — the Tango Apex Neo is exceptional in every dimension." — Hi-Fi+
Features ⌄
- Dual-mono flagship phono stage with balanced XLR inputs and built-in 900 mW headphone amplifier
- Fully remote-controlled; 100-step volume control; all gain (40–70 dB) and impedance settings per input
- RIAA accuracy ±0.2 dB; channel separation >89 dB; supports MC, MI, and MM cartridges
- Made in Süssen, Germany — dual-mono construction, hand-assembled in-house
- Built-in 900 mW headphone amplifier — independent from the phono circuit, fully remote-controlled
- RIAA accuracy ±0.2 dB; channel separation >89 dB — reference-tier measurement performance