At Townshend Audio, we are driven by a singular goal: to deliver music in its most authentic and unadulterated form, preserving every nuance as the artist intended. We are delighted to share that the Townshend Allegri+ Preamplifier has been honored with the HiFi Pig Outstanding Product Award in 2017, a prestigious recognition that celebrates its innovative design and exceptional sonic performance. This accolade underscores our commitment to crafting audio components that redefine transparency and musicality.

A Revolution in Passive Preamplification

The Allegri+ Preamplifier is not a conventional preamp—it’s a passive autotransformer-based controller that reimagines signal control. Unlike active preamplifiers, which can introduce noise, distortion, or coloration, or resistive passive designs that often compromise dynamics, the Allegri+ uses Fractal-Wire™ autotransformers to achieve near-perfe impedance matching. This ensures the signal passes from source to amplifier with astonishing clarity, free from electronic hash or power supply interference.

With six stereo RCA inputs, a front-panel 3.5mm jack, two stereo outputs, and a 24-position volume control, the Allegri+ offers versatility without complexity. Its DC-coupled signal path, devoid of capacitors or active components, delivers a bandwidth that stretches effortlessly across the audio spectrum. The result is a preamp that doesn’t impose its own character but allows your system to reveal its true potential, from crystal-clear treble to deep, authoritative bass.

HiFi Pig’s Outstanding Product Award: A Mark of Distinction

The HiFi Pig Outstanding Product Award is a testament to a product’s ability to excel in real-world listening environments, as judged by HiFi Pig’s discerning reviewers. In their world-exclusive review published August 2017, Dan Worth and Dominic Marsh put the Allegri+ through rigorous testing, assessing its performance against high-end competitors like the R-T1 valve preamp. Their verdict was unanimous: the Allegri+ deserved the Outstanding Product gong for its sublime transparency and natural musicality.

Dan Worth wrote:

“What makes the new Townshend Allegri+ great is that it seems to clarify the signal, puts one arm on its shoulder and just says calm down, relax…now go! The speed in which drum rolls especially come rolling towards the listening position is almost startling.”

Dominic Marsh echoed this sentiment, noting:

“To sum up then, I agree that the Townshend Allegri+ merits an Outstanding Product award and I endorse the nomination unreservedly.”

The reviewers were particularly impressed by the Allegri+’s ability to maintain linear amplitude across volume levels, avoiding the “blare” or “loudness” that plagues lesser designs. They highlighted its dynamic range, describing vocals and piano accompaniment as “mind-blowing” and the soundstage as “almost as strong” as far pricier competitors. The Allegri+’s honesty—its refusal to color or manipulate the signal—earned it praise as “one of the most effortless and honest sounds you will ever hear.”

Why the Allegri+ Excels

The Allegri+ is designed for audiophiles who value purity above all else. Its standout features include:

• Fractal-Wire™ Autotransformers: Wound with ultra-thin mu-metal laminations, they deliver vanishingly low distortion (less than 0.01% at 400Hz) and a noise floor that’s practically silent.
• Impedance Matching: At 0dB, the input signal connects directly to the output, ensuring the Allegri+’s impedance mirrors the source and amplifier, preserving dynamics at any volume.
• No Power Supply: As a purely passive device, it eliminates mains-borne noise, making esoteric power cords or conditioners unnecessary.
• Seamless Control: A mute switch and 24-position volume control provide precise adjustments, covering a wide range of system sensitivities.
• Compact Elegance: Housed in a sleek anodized aluminum case, it’s as unobtrusive as it is effective.

Unlike conventional preamps, which often add character or “warmth,” the Allegri+ is relentlessly transparent. As Worth noted, it excels at “refining the input signal” without manipulation, making it ideal for systems where musical truth is paramount. Whether paired with a DAC, turntable, or high-resolution streamer, it ensures every component performs at its peak.

A Legacy of Innovation

The HiFi Pig Outstanding Product Award joins a distinguished roster of honors for Townshend Audio, including Hi-Fi Plus’s Editor’s Choice and Innovation Awards for the Seismic Isolation Podium, Positive Feedback’s Writers’ Choice for the Allegri+, and StereoNET’s Applause Award for the Allegri Reference. Each accolade reflects the vision of our founder, Max Townshend, whose pioneering work in autotransformer design, cryogenic treatments, and vibration isolation has reshaped high-fidelity audio. The Allegri+ builds on this legacy, offering performance that rivals components at many times its price.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to HiFi Pig, Dan Worth, and Dominic Marsh for their thorough evaluation and enthusiastic endorsement. Their passion for audio excellence aligns with our own, making this award a meaningful milestone.

Rediscover Your Music with the Allegri+

The HiFi Pig Outstanding Product Award is more than recognition—it’s an invitation to experience music with a clarity and immediacy that transforms listening into an event. The Allegri+ doesn’t just control volume; it unlocks the emotional depth and detail in every recording, from the thunderous dynamics of rock to the delicate textures of classical.

We invite you to explore the Allegri+ Preamplifier on our website and contact an authorized dealer to arrange a demonstration. Discover why HiFi Pig called it outstanding—and why it’s the heart your system deserves.

Thank you for choosing Townshend Audio as your partner in the pursuit of musical perfection.

Townshend Audio Team

Source: HiFi Pig, “Townshend Audio Allegri+ Passive Preamplifier Review” by Dan Worth and Dominic Marsh, August 8, 2017