Bladelius Ask Pre - Stereo Preamplifier with DAC/Streamer

The ASK PRE is our newest preamplifier with DAC and streaming capabilities. Designed using all the experience gained in designing our flagship integrated model ODEN.

Many of the ASK's design features, apart from its appearance, are directly inherited from the ODEN. Like the preamp section which is a derivative of the ODEN's preamp. With its more compact form factor, truly packed with everything we could invent, without any compromise in quality, it can clearly be seen as the ODEN's brother in terms of sound quality.

With the Simpler is Better design philosophy, we have reduced the voltage amplifier stage to a single one for the shortest possible signal path. Just like the ODEN, the ASK provides a truly balanced design with no ground as a reference for the highest possible performance. A high performance DC servo that operates outside the signal path, the input stage is driven by a pair of hand-matched current-loaded JFETs in a foldback cascade arrangement. This makes for very linear performance regardless of the output level. Combined with current feedback technology, the ASK will deliver extremely fast and stable performance.

The chassis is made of non-magnetic materials machined for the lowest possible electromagnetic fields for the best sound quality. The design and layout of all components are made to minimize the impact of vibrations and like all our products, the ASK is a very robust and stable unit with a clean Scandinavian design.

DAC

The ASK’s DAC has an impressive signal to noise ratio of over 134dB, which is significant and shows just how extremely capable this integrated amplifier is when it comes to streaming capabilities. As a streamer it handles most formats, such as DSD1024 and will stream files up to 32bit, 728kHz. It also supports Tidal connect, Spotify connect, Qobuz and Roon. All of this is managed via a new web-based app (it can also be controlled via the Tidal app) which means it can be controlled via any device you want. This allows for quick and easy updates on our end and is more accessible for the user who can then focus solely on the music.

A custom digital filter is processed in the XMOS 216 chip and carries several user-selectable modes. All to suit the listeners' personal preferences.

The DAC is set in a balanced configuration where all resistors are 0.1% metal film type and the capacitors for the analog filters are high quality polypropylene type. The DAC also uses an ultra stable crystal clock oscillator with extremely low phase noise.

The analog and digital power supplies are completely separate, and all signal and power paths have been galvanically separated to ensure that no digital noise can reach the analog amplifier section.

Mythology

ASK, was the name of the first man in the Norse Middle Earth and also the name of this integrated amplifier. ASK, together with the first woman in the Norse world, EMBLA was created by ODEN, which is more or less the case with this integrated amplifier that we designed using all the experience we have gained from our flagship integrated model ODEN.