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Home News

Aries Cerat Pondera Reference Preamplifier

Marco Lisi by Marco Lisi
July 13, 2026
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
aries-cerat-pondera-reference-preamplifier

The Pondera Reference Preamplifier is our design effort, to push the envelope of tube audio pre-amplification .
This extravagant machine was conceived after many tests with numerous designs, technologies and materials.The heart of the preamplifier, lies in our latest achievement, called N.O.I.E.S (Negative Output Impedence Energy Supply). This proprietary design ,top materials used and cost-no-object approach is the main reason for the preamplifier’s performance.

aries-cerat-pondera-reference-preamplifier1

The power gain is maintained by a single ended-transformer coupled tube stage, using one 814 DHP thoriated tungsten tube. The key to thisstage supreme performance lies to the Negalive Output Impedance Energy Supply. This energy supply has a negative internal resistance throughout the audible spectrum, without the use of feedback or feedforward techniques, so no sonic artifacts are present.

In fact, the negative impedance is compared to a power tube’s transconductance. Where even the best power supply fail in extreme transients needed and sag out, our Negative Output Impedance Energy Supply not only does not sag out, it even contributes to the gain of the preamplifier.

Output to the terminals is provided by a special bifilar windedamorphous double C-core transformer, with an an exceptional wide bandwidth of over 110 Khz. The internal construction of Pondera Reference Preamplifier is a true dual mono design with separate power and bias circuits giving superb chanell separation.

aries-cerat-pondera-reference-preamplifie3

It is not an hyperbole to suggest that the driving capabilities of the Pondera Reference Preamplifier are not matched by anything on the market today.

Levels of 250 Vrms of output are an ease for our preamplifier, pointing out the capabilities of the N.O.I Energy Supply and the power gain stage. In fact, the Pondera Reference preamplifier can deliver over 14 W of true SET power to your speaker terminals, provided with a speaker output transformer.
Hyperbole? Maybe.

Tags: Aries CeratPreamplifiers
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Marco Lisi

Marco Lisi

Publisher

Marco Lisi is the publisher of Best of High End, part of AV Concepts BV. His path into audio started early: as a teenager he was drawn into the world of free radio, presenting shows and living immersed in music every day. In his early twenties he ran his own production studio for five years, creating jingles and commercials — hands-on training in sound design, pro-audio workflows, and critical listening through studio monitors that still shapes how he evaluates gear today. He also spent years DJing in clubs before moving into publishing, first at two earlier online magazines before founding Best of High End. His hi-fi and home cinema passion was inherited from his father, an inveterate system-swapper. Marco's first setup — a confirmation gift — paired AKAI separates with entry-level Bowers & Wilkins speakers, a brand he stayed loyal to for years as his system grew from stereo into full surround and home cinema. Like many enthusiasts, he went through an extended "audiophile" phase chasing the next upgrade, before settling into a more grounded view: gear as a means to enjoy music and film, not an end in itself. Years of critical listening have given him a well-trained ear — the ability to characterize a system or pinpoint a change in the chain quickly and accurately. Just as important, his teaching background (a Belgian "regent" degree in Dutch language) gives him the tools to translate those listening impressions into clear, readable writing.

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