At Townshend Audio, our mission is to craft audio components that reveal music in its purest form, free from distortion or coloration. We are proud to announce that the Townshend Allegri Reference Preamplifier has been awarded the prestigious StereoNET Applause Award in 2020, a recognition that celebrates its exceptional engineering and transformative sonic performance. This accolade underscores our dedication to pushing the boundaries of high-fidelity audio and delivering unparalleled listening experiences.

A Paradigm Shift in Preamplification

The Allegri Reference is not your typical preamplifier—it’s a passive, microprocessor-controlled autotransformer volume control (AVC) preamplifier designed with one goal: absolute signal purity. Unlike active preamps that can introduce noise or electronic artifacts, or resistive passive designs that compromise dynamics, the Allegri Reference uses Fractal-Wire™ autotransformers to deliver a signal that is astonishingly transparent. With 129 precise 0.5dB volume steps, full remote control, and a clear LED display, it offers unmatched flexibility for both discerning home audiophiles and professional users.

What sets the Allegri Reference apart is its ability to preserve every detail of the music. Wired throughout with our proprietary Fractal-Wire™ and suspended on Seismic Isolation, it eliminates vibrational interference and electrical noise, ensuring a soundstage that is vast, holographic, and rich with previously hidden nuances. This is a preamplifier that doesn’t shape the sound—it reveals it, allowing your source components and amplifiers to perform at their absolute best.

StereoNET Applause Award: A Seal of Excellence

The StereoNET Applause Award is a mark of distinction, personally issued by Editor-in-Chief David Price after consultation with the publication’s senior editorial team. Reserved for products that excel in performance, value, or both, it reflects StereoNET’s rigorous evaluation process, backed by decades of expertise in high-fidelity audio. In his 2020 review, professional musician and audiophile Rafael Todes, a violinist with the Allegri String Quartet, put the Allegri Reference through its paces and declared it a “game-changer.”

Todes’ review captures the preamplifier’s profound impact:

“I never tired of this preamp’s ‘revelatory’ quality; everything you play somehow sounds different to before… [it] gives preamplifiers at any price and of any type, an almost impossibly hard time in terms of sound.”

He praised its transparency, noting, “The most obvious thing about the Allegri Reference is its overall transparency… [it] beats all [other high-end preamps] into a cocked hat.” Todes highlighted its ability to create a “vast” soundstage, with “beautifully defined” imaging and a tonal quality that is “practically translucent.” Its speed and clarity in the time domain were described as “quite outstanding,” making complex passages feel effortless and natural. For Todes, the Allegri Reference transformed familiar recordings—like Kraftwerk’s Autobahn—into vivid, immersive experiences, revealing details he had never noticed before.

Why the Allegri Reference Stands Out

The Allegri Reference redefines what a preamplifier can do. Its key features include:

• Fractal-Wire™ Autotransformers: A single, unbroken 260m length of 0.1mm Fractal-Wire™ per transformer ensures minimal signal degradation, delivering unmatched resolution and openness.
• Seismic Isolation: Integrated isolation protects against microvibrations and gross vibrations, preserving clarity across the audio bandwidth—unlike conventional designs that fail to address low frequencies.
• Precise Volume Control: 129 steps of 0.5dB adjustment provide seamless, refined control, ideal for late-night listening or high-sensitivity systems.
• Versatile Connectivity: Five stereo phono inputs, two pairs of balanced XLRs (in parallel with inputs 1 and 2), a front-panel 3.5mm jack, and dual outputs ensure compatibility with any system.
• Passive Design: With no power supply in the signal path, it eliminates noise and distortion, embodying the philosophy of “a piece of wire with gain,” as Quad’s Peter Walker once described.

Todes noted that the Allegri Reference resolved issues with digital volume controls, such as those in his dCS Bartók DAC, restoring the full glory of the source. Its neutrality means it won’t mask upstream flaws, but for well-curated systems, it delivers a level of musicality that is, in Todes’ words, “recommended without question.”

A Legacy of Innovation

The StereoNET Applause Award joins a growing list of honors for Townshend Audio, including accolades for our Seismic Isolation Podium, Allegri+ Preamplifier, and Fractal Interconnect. Each product reflects the vision of our founder, Max Townshend, whose pioneering work—from the Rock turntable to cryogenic wire treatments—has reshaped the audio landscape. The Allegri Reference builds on this foundation, combining cutting-edge technology with a timeless commitment to musical truth.

We extend our gratitude to StereoNET, Rafael Todes, and David Price for recognizing the Allegri Reference’s unique contribution to high-fidelity audio. Their expertise and passion for music align with our own, making this award especially meaningful.

An Invitation to Rediscover Your Music

The StereoNET Applause Award is more than a recognition—it’s an endorsement of the Allegri Reference as a component that can transform your relationship with music. Whether you’re exploring the intricate layers of a classical piece or the raw energy of rock, this preamplifier unveils every detail with breathtaking clarity and emotional depth. It’s not just about sound—it’s about feeling closer to the performance.

We invite you to experience the Allegri Reference Preamplifier for yourself. Visit our website to learn more or contact an authorized dealer to arrange a demonstration. Discover why StereoNET called it a standout—and why it belongs at the heart of your system.

Thank you for trusting Townshend Audio to bring you closer to the music you love.

Townshend Audio Team