The TeddyPre PR1 is a two-box preamplifier but during the review, Pardo announced that a single-box version became available for an additional €218.73. One box holds the power supply transformer, the other contains the preamp circuitry. Both pieces connect via a rather short detachable umbilical. You can stack the units or place them side by side. Each box measures approximately 6.2x17x25cm. There are six pairs of WBT NextGen RCA jacks on the rear panel; five pairs for inputs (one is a HT bypass input), one pair for output. Any of the five inputs can be ordered as a second output or headphone output. The single box version comes with a dedicated headphone output.


The front panel sports two rotary knobs, one for volume and the other for source selection. Two small green LEDs indicate power on and mute. Also included is a rather cute little generic plastic remote for volume and mute. Internal components are said to include select low-noise JFET transistors, low-noise Tantalum and PPS caps all mounted on a six-layer immersion gold FR4 PCB with star ground topology. A key design criteria if not the primary one for the PR1 and actually for all Teddy Pardo electronics is how power supply noise is addressed. The PR1 includes a number of proprietary regulators called SuperTeddyRegs R1. Essentially that is a low-noise regulator which "consists of two stages, a voltage regulator and a low pass filter. The voltage regulator is in charge of providing a stable voltage regardless of variations in the input voltage due to load or mains voltage variations. In addition, it reduces the ripple.

"The low pass filter stage cleans the mains noise and the noise generated during the AC rectification process. The ripple at the output of the rectifier bridge and smoothing capacitors has a saw-tooth form and can, depending on the quality of the capacitors and condition of the load, reach tens to hundreds of mV. A signal with a saw-tooth form is actually a combination of sine-wave signals at higher frequencies. This ripple is therefore equivalent to noise at all audio frequencies and above, causing coloration and lose of details. The low-pass filter stage reduces this noise to a very low level."


Math and the sciences were never my forté, otherwise I’d be the one sending components out for review. Hence it all sounded complicated. But for the Full Monty, do point your browser here and here. Incidentally, instructions on how to build a SuperTeddyReg or the basic TeddyReg are available on Pardo’s website for the DIY inclined. The MB100 monos measure 9x19x34cm and are rated at 100 watts. Whilst specific output devices remain unidentified, we do know that they are opamp based to suggest an entry in the so-called gainclone sector, albeit of higher than normal power. The amps also use a high-power version of the low-noise zero feedback TeddySuperReg (four per channel) to provide a clean and stable power supply for the amplifier. The MB100 is constructed with Tantalum and PPS caps, 0.01% precision resistors and WBT NextGen RCA jacks and binding posts. All components mount on a four-layer immersion gold FR4 PCB with star ground topology. The rear panel sports WBT NextGen binding posts and RCAs plus IEC and power switch. A small green LED indicates power status on the front panel.

For this review, Teddy also sent two pairs of his silver-plated copper interconnects fitted with WBT NextGen RCAs. I used the supplied cables along with either Sablon Audio Panatela speaker cables or MIT Magnum M1.3 speaker cables. I did monkey about with various interconnects and thought the supplied cables were clean, clear, neutral and therefore more than adequate. Put another way, if I were buying this pre/power combo, I’d also spring for the interconnects. As I’m not one to mix and match preamps and power amplifiers for the simple reason that it doesn’t make sense to me, my notes reflect the PR1 and MB100 as a single component. So don’t expect blow-by-blow sonic examinations of the PR1 and MB100 individually. All three components sat on Ikea bamboo cutting boards and connected to a BPT power bar via Harmonic Technology AC10 power cables.