This Phono amp was purchased by me in 2022. Absolute end-game component for vinyl audiophiles. Works with any turntable cart imaginable and has fantastic clarity and detail across the entire frequency spectrum. Discrete solid state components, designed in Germany. If you consume music on a turntable and want to go with a solid state offering its unlikely youd find anything today that outperforms this unit. 120 V rail phono preamplifier for record playersRIAA equalization (after Douglas Self)Suitable for MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges Max. preamplification: 51dB (MM); 70dB (MC) Capacitances for MM: Off, 150 pF, 220 pF and 330 pFImpedances for MC: 100, 220, 470; 2k2, 4k7 and 10 kohmsStyroflex condensers used throughout the RIAA equalizer Switchable Gain: Normal, -10 dB, +4 dB Gold-plated RCA in- and outputs Audio ground connection for record player Switchable rumble filter (Subsonic) Linear power supply with toroidal transformerMade in Germany RIAA equalization RIAA equalization is a specification for the recording and playback of phonograph records, established by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The RIAA equalization curve was intended to operate as a de facto global industry standard for records since 1954. The purposes of the RIAA equalization, which is a form of pre-emphasis on recording and de-emphasis on playback, are to permit greater recording times by decreasing the mean width of each groove, to improve sound quality, and to reduce the groove damage that would otherwise arise during playback. A recording is made with the low frequencies reduced and the high frequencies boosted, and on playback the opposite occurs. The net result is a flat frequency response, but with attenuation of high frequency noise such as hiss and clicks that arise from the recording medium. The RIAA equalization curves for recording and playback of vinyl records. The recording curves perform the inverse function, reducing low frequencies and boosting high frequencies. RIAA equalization has transition points in three places: 75 µs, 318 µs and 3180 µs, which correspond to 2122 Hz, 500 Hz and 50 Hz (rounded values). The construction of the RIAA equalizer follows a design made by Douglas Self. In this design larger single capacities are exchanged against smaller multiple capacities. MM and MC There are two primary methods a modern cartridge uses to generate current. These are moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) configurations. Moving Magnet Moving magnet cartridges tend to produce lush, mellow sound. By moving a magnet within copper coils a small voltage is created. MM cartridges sport very high inductance and impedance. In the latter, cable capacitance can negatively affect the flatness of frequency response and linearity of phase response. Phonos offers a selection of four capacities to fine tune the flatness of the frequency response or to willingly increase high frequencies in playback. The capacities are 150pF, 220pF and 330pF. In the OFF position the capacitance is determined by the cable capacitance. Moving Coil The MC design is again a tiny electromagnetic generator, but (unlike an MM design) with the magnet and coils reversed. The resulting signal is only a few hundred microvolts, and thus more easily swamped by noise, induced hum, etc. Thus it is more challenging to design a preamplifier with the extremely low noise inputs needed for moving-coil cartridge. Phonos provides a 20dB higher preampfification for the MC stage compared to the MM stage. MC cartridges offer very low inductance and impedance, which means that the effects of capacitance (in the cable that goes from the cartridge to the preamp) are negligible. The impedance of cartridge can be set in six values: 100, 220, 470, 2.2k, 4.7k, and 10kOhm. If in doubt which impedance matches the cartridge’s impedance you can empirically determine the value for the flattest frequency response. Subsonic filter Rumble from the playback turntables drive mechanism is amplified by the low frequency boost that occurs on playback. The Phonos offers a switchable Subsonic filter to eliminate the rumble. Gain The preamplification is switchable and offers three values for MM and MC. The Normal gain is +47dB (MM) and +66 (MC). In the -10dB position the Phonos produces enough output level for standard consumer electronics products operating on -10dBV. In the +4dB position the output is equally loud as modern DA converters at 0dBfs = +15dBu.

Phonos RIAA Phono Preamplifier from SPL is designed for use with turntables using either MM (moving magnet) or MC (moving coil) cartridges. The equalization curve is according to RIAA and suitable for all vinyl records. It offers up to 71.5 dB gain for MC cartridges and 50 dB gain for MM cartridges. The preamplifier uses proprietary VOLTAiR technology (120V rail technology) to offer a high voltage of 120V (+/-60 VDC). The 120V electronics operate quasi idle even at highest audio levels and impulse peaks. They never operate on the limit and therefore never get stressed. The music presents itself with a pleasant serenity and realness. The purpose of the RIAA equalization, which is a form of pre-emphasis on recording and de-emphasis on playback, is to permit greater recording times by decreasing the mean width of each groove, to improve sound quality, and to reduce the groove damage that would otherwise arise during playback. · 120V rail phono preamplifier for record players · RIAA equalization · RCA input · Single ended RCA output · Suitable for MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges · Maximum preamplification of 51 dB (MM) and 70 dB (MC) · Styroflex condensers used throughout the RIAA equalizer · Gold-plated RCA inputs and outputs · Audio ground connection for record player · Switchable rumble filter (subsonic) · Standby/power on switch · Linear power supply with toroidal transformer · Front and lid made from aluminum · Housing made from sheet metal C