Lektor Prime

About the Lektor Prime

The Ancient Audio Lektor Prime is an integrated CD player and valve preamplifier in one, designed to offer much of the sound quality of the flagship Lektor Grand at a more affordable price. It uses a Philips CD-Pro2M mechanism mounted on a non-resonant sandwich granite base with an optional anti-vibration platform from BASE Technology (Norway). The player features fully balanced A/D converters (Silver DAC III), first-order analog filters, and a 100 dB range analog volume control. It includes a Sovtek 6H30 triode tube output stage for a low impedance tube sound. Connectivity includes balanced XLR outputs, single-ended RCA outputs, one set of RCA analog inputs, and one S/PDIF digital output. The unit has a numerical red display with 1 dB steps and a volume range up to 99, allowing fine gain adjustments. The internal wiring uses silver ribbon, and separate power circuits are dedicated to the CD transport, digital section, DAC, and tube stage. The player is housed in a natural stone finish enclosure measuring 350 x 350 x 70 mm. It is praised for its refined and exceptional sound, though early break-in periods may show a thicker, less transparent sound that improves with use. The Lektor Prime is regarded as a formidable machine in its class, capable of competing with much more expensive CD players.