Various / Other Rare Chessel Référence Préamplifier – David Chessel Design

Hello,

I'm selling my Chessel Reference preamplifier, designed by David Chessel, a discreet but essential figure in British audio.
A former BBC engineer, Chessel has built a reputation for his uncompromising designs, often related to the world of BBC monitors (LS3/5A, LS5/9, etc.) and his quest for natural sonic realism.

This is a rare device, built in small batches, with extreme care taken in the selection of components and circuit topology.
In April 2023: replacement of the 4 tubes of the line stage with 6N23P-EV / 6H23P-EB NOS (Russia, Balance Selection) - cost 225 €. The old ones still work and are almost new, it was to test other tubes.

In July 2023: repair (power supply) and complete overhaul by Graeme Holland (Audion) – cost €225.
Since then, it's only been in use for about ten hours, due to limited listening space.

Lively and organic reproduction, typical of Chessel designs: full timbres, open soundstage, plenty of substance and naturalness.

Superb integrated tube phono stage:

Rear-mounted load selector to optimize the match to your MM/MC cartridge.

Four positions, each with a separate resistor to fine-tune the load.

Allows you to optimize the synergy with your turntable based on your cartridge and your preferences.
Solid construction, carefully selected components, and meticulous wiring.

Oversized power supply
Air-wired, carefully selected components, dual-mono architecture

Excellent tonal balance, rich and silky timbres without harshness.

Stable and deep stereo image.

Natural fluidity, palpable vocals, beautiful musicality.

Condition: Perfect working order and good cosmetic condition (see photos very good ). Stored in a smoke-free and meticulous environment.
Weight: approximately 18 kg
Shipping possible (protected and careful packaging) via UPS with insurance

If you want I can provide you with a link to my profile and the quality of the equipment I sell from a French site in order to increase your confidence, although I already have more than favorable opinions on this site.
Thanks
Fabrice
For your information:
David Chessel – the creative mind behind Audion
In the 1980s, David Chessel served as Technical Director at Audio Innovations, a company already renowned for the sound quality of its products.

In March 1987, he co-founded Audion with Erik Andersson, another renowned figure in audio design. Their ambition: to offer affordable high-end audio without sacrificing musicality for cost reasons.

In these early years (1987–1990), Audion innovated by launching the very first triode amplifiers designed by a Western manufacturer in Europe, thus launching a new trend in the audiophile world.

In 1992, Audion revived the 300B tube (Golden Dragon model) to create the famous Audion Silver Night monoblocks, which received a front-page feature in Hifi World and sparked enthusiasm among audiophiles.

Chessel thus sparked a renewed passion for the triode tube, thanks to his vision of a musical sound without feedback, which had a lasting impact on high fidelity.

Graeme Holland – the person who overhauled the preamplifier – worked with David Chessel, who is familiar with this device.

Since 2000, Graeme Holland has been the owner and director of Audion (Hihg-end Phono)