The Legato is a fully discrete balanced active I/V line stage with both balanced and single-ended outputs.
Designed specifically for use with our Buffalo-II DAC, the inputs of the Legato mount directly below the Buffalo's DAC chip for very short (and equal length) signal paths.
The kit part selection took many iterations with extensive listening sessions.
Wima FKP2 2.5% and
Panasonic Z-series 2% polypropylene (MKP) filter capacitors provide filtering in the I/V stage. Each stage has
local
Nichicon KW 100uF decoupling capacitors. AC-coupling capacitors at the
balanced outputs are
Nichicon MUSE ES 100uF bipolar audio capacitors (which actually tied as our favorite with
Elna RFS (SilmikII) capacitors).
Optional balanced to single-ended conversion is performed by an integrated Ballsie stage using the supplied National Semiconductor LM4562/LME49720 (or DIP-8 opamp of your choice). Gain of the Ballsie section can be independently set for custom level matching between balanced and single-ended gear.
The Legato requires between one (and up to three) ±10-15VDC (bipolar) power supplies. Both our linear
LCBPS and
shunt-regulated
Placid BP will work very well. We recommend ±12VDC (for best performance and minimized heat)
powered by a 15V+15V transformer (available
here).