Westminster Lab · Preamplifiers
Quest
The Quest is Westminster Lab's fully balanced preamplifier, built as the partner to the Rei, with 3 XLR inputs and 2 module slots.
fig. 01 · preamplifiers
Quest
8 photographs · 5 shown
From Westminster Lab
Westminster Lab designed the Quest to sit between your sources and its Rei amplifier. The team started by asking whether a system needs a preamp at all, then rebuilt each stage around what a preamp should add.
It's balanced throughout: 3 XLR inputs, 2 XLR outputs, 12Vrms of output and 6.5dB of gain. Distortion measures under 0.0001% at 1kHz, and both signal-to-noise and channel separation clear 120dB.
The 2 module slots take it further. The MC/MM phono module sets gain from 40 to 70dB, impedance from 60 ohms to 47k in 18 steps, and capacitance from 22 to 322pF. There's also a DS Audio equaliser module for DS Audio cartridges and an RCA input module for unbalanced sources.
Specifications
| Distortion | <0.0001% @ 1kHz |
|---|---|
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >120dB, unweighted |
| Input | 3 sets of balanced XLR input; 2 optional modules |
| Input Impedance | 51 kΩ |
| Input Voltage | 6Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 2Hz to 100kHz, 0.1dB |
| Outputs | 2 sets of balanced XLR outputs |
| Output Voltage | 12Vrms |
| Channel Separation | >120dB |
| Gain | 6.5dB |
| Volume Control Range | 0 to -63dB / Mute |
| Dimensions | W470 x H110 x D392 mm |
| Weight | 13.2KG |
| DS Audio Equaliser module: Input | 1 set of unbalanced RCA input |
| DS Audio Equaliser module: Gain | 27dB |
| DS Audio Equaliser module: Compatibility | All DS Audio cartridges. DS Audio certified equaliser. |
| DS Audio Equaliser module: Outputs | 19pin proprietary socket |
| MC/MM Phono module: Input | 1 set of balanced XLR input or 1 set of unbalanced RCA input |
| MC/MM Phono module: Input Impedance | 60Ohm to 47kOhm ( 18 steps ) |
| MC/MM Phono module: Loading Capacitance | 22pF to 322pF ( 5 steps ) |
| MC/MM Phono module: Gain | 40dB to 70db ( 4 steps ) |
| MC/MM Phono module: Compatibility | Variety of modern and vintage MC/MM/MI cartridges. |
| MC/MM Phono module: Outputs | 19pin proprietary socket |
| RCA Input module: Input | 1 set of unbalanced RCA input |
| RCA Input module: Input Impedance | 51 kΩ |
| RCA Input module: Input Voltage | 6Vrms |
| RCA Input module: Frequency Response | 2Hz to 100kHz, 0.1dB |
| RCA Input module: Outputs | 19pin proprietary socket |
| RCA Input module: Gain | 6dB |