SPL HiFi Phonos Duo black

The RIAA phono preamplifier – twice as good

The SPL phono preamplifier Phonos duo expands the renowned SPL phono preamplifier Phonos with a symmetrical stereo input and output pair. Phonos duo is thus even more versatile.

Whether moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridge systems – the SPL VOLTAiR technology and the RIAA equalization filter in the legendary Douglas Self design form the basis for great phono sound.

Good design – a must

Visually, the SPL Phonos duo phono preamplifier fits perfectly into the SPL HiFi line Professional Fidelity – and is naturally available in the three basic colors black, red, or silver.

MM & MC

There are two cartridge systems for record players:

Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC).

Moving Magnet

Moving magnet cartridges generate a voltage by moving a magnet between copper coils. To achieve the best possible linearity of frequency and phase response, the capacitance for cartridge matching is changed. Phonos duo offers six different capacitances for this adjustment:

12 pF, 47 pF, 100 pF, 150 pF, 220 pF, and 330 pF.

Moving Coil

The moving coil cartridge is also a small

electromagnetic generator. However, in this case, the magnets are fixed – and the coils move between the magnets. The principle is exactly the opposite of the moving magnet cartridge. Consequently, not the capacitance but the impedance is the decisive parameter for matching the cartridge. Phonos duo offers six different impedances for this adjustment:

20 Ohm, 50 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 220 Ohm, 500 Ohm, and 1 kOhm.

MC or MM?

Moving coil cartridge systems are generally considered the more audiophile systems because they allow faster and thus finer tracking due to the low mass.

They practically extract the finest nuances from the groove.

The output voltage of a moving coil cartridge system is extremely low at only a few hundred microvolts and is therefore more sensitive to noise and induced hum.

The very low output voltage must be amplified with extremely low noise and therefore requires a very sophisticated preamplifier design.

Phonos duo offers one of the most powerful phono preamplifiers for moving coil systems with up to 70 dB gain. Thanks to SPL 120V technology, Phonos duo amplifies extremely quietly, linearly, and phase-stable.

Moving coil cartridges have very low inductance and impedance.

This means that the effects of cable capacitance (from the cartridge to the preamplifier) are not so significant. The impedance, on the other hand, is the relevant parameter here and can therefore be set in six values on the Phonos duo. Manufacturers specify the impedances of the cartridges. These should be followed as precisely as possible.

Moving magnet cartridges, on the other hand, are robust and often more affordable.

However, the high mass of the moving magnets causes more inertia, which results in less precise groove tracking. However, modern moving magnet systems also use neodymium magnets, whose mass is significantly lower.

Such moving magnet systems can even compete with some moving coil systems in terms of tracking accuracy.

For moving magnet cartridges, capacitance plays a decisive role.

This means that the effects of cable capacitance (from the cartridge to the preamplifier) cannot be neglected here. The capacitance for moving magnet cartridges can therefore be set in six values on the Phonos duo and optimally adapted to the system.

Tip:

If there is doubt about which capacitance matches that of the cartridge, simply switch through the capacitances on the Phonos duo. As long as the treble range increases, the capacitance is below that of the cartridge. If the treble range decreases again, the capacitance is higher than that of the cartridge.

Free choice – symmetrical or asymmetrical

Phonos duo offers two stereo input and output pairs. A symmetrical input and output pair with XLR inputs and outputs and an asymmetrical input and output pair with RCA sockets.

With the INPUT switch on the front of the Phonos duo, you can switch between the two stereo inputs.

The output signal is always present in parallel at both output pairs – regardless of the selected input pair.

Connections

Gold-plated RCA and XLR sockets are available for connecting the turntable and for forwarding to a preamplifier such as the Director Mk2 or the Elector.

A ground connection for the turntable is designed as a gold-plated terminal into which the ground wire can be clamped.

Phonos duo also has a switch labeled GND LIFT on the back. This ground lift function can eliminate hum loops by disconnecting the internal ground from the chassis ground when the switch is pressed.

Perfect level

With the GAIN switch, the preamplification, i.e., the output level of the Phonos duo, can be set. Three values are available. In the "Low" position, the gain is +30 dB for MM systems and +50 dB for MC systems.

This is optimal in combination with standard hi-fi devices that operate with a reference level of -10 dBV. In the "Med" switch position, the gain is increased by 10 dB (MM = +40 dB, MC = +60 dB).

If the switch is in the "High" position, the gain is increased by another 10 dB (MM = +50 dB, MC = +70 dB). Thus, the output level is approximately as loud as that of modern DA converters at a reference level of 0 dBfs = 15 dBu.

Rumble

The rumble of the turntable's drive mechanism is amplified by the high gain of the bass range through the inverted RIAA equalization in playback (see RIAA equalization). Phonos duo offers the possibility to remove this rumble with the switchable rumble filter.

Mono

With the MONO switch, it can be selected whether the stereo input signal is output regularly as a stereo signal or summed to mono (switch in the On position).

This makes sense, for example, when using a mono system to play mono records.

Mute

With the MUTE switch, all outputs can be muted.

On

With the ON switch, Phonos duo can be turned on (switch is in the upper position).

Sounds good

For all devices in the Professional Fidelity series, we develop not only according to plan but also by ear from the start. Many of the basic components are mounted through-hole (THT) on the boards. This ensures that we can use the components that sound best.

RIAA equalization

RIAA equalization is a specification for recording and playback of records proposed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The RIAA equalization curves introduced a global de facto industry standard for records from 1954.

RIAA equalization uses pre-emphasis during cutting of the record, where low frequencies are reduced and high frequencies are boosted (blue RIAA curve).

The bass is reduced by up to 20 dB to provide more space and longer playing time of the record. The treble range is boosted by up to 25 dB to increase the signal-to-noise ratio between noise and hiss of the record medium to the audio signal.

During playback, the opposite happens in the Phonos. The de-emphasis filter (red RIAA curve) compensates for the pre-emphasis, resulting in a linear frequency response.

Douglas Self design

The RIAA equalization of the Phonos was developed according to the recommendations of Douglas Self. Idea: many small capacitances instead of few large capacitances.

Advantages: The capacitances charge and discharge faster, resulting in better resolution and faster impulse response. Only audiophile Styroflex capacitors are used in the entire RIAA equalizer.

About the person: Douglas Self is a British electronics engineer with a strong passion for audio.

He has been honored by the University of Cambridge and teaches psychoacoustics at the University of Sussex.

Sounds good

For all devices in the Professional Fidelity series, we develop not only according to plan but also by ear from the start. Many of the basic components are mounted through-hole (THT) on the boards. This ensures that we can use the components that sound best.

The VOLTAiR technology

The 120V technology is our reference technology. It is unique worldwide in the audio sector because it operates with a DC voltage of 120 volts. This corresponds to four times the operating voltage of IC-based semiconductor operational amplifiers. We call this unparalleled technology in our Professional Fidelity series the VOLTAiR technology.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology operates at +/- 60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/- 60 V – the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.

The 120V technology achieves extraordinary technical specifications and sonic advantages. Technically, regarding dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and overload resistance. Sonically, regarding detail richness and an absolutely relaxed listening pleasure.

The "120V" in the technology's name has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the socket. It refers to the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.

The mains voltage from the socket is transformed inside the device's linear power supply with toroidal transformer to the required secondary voltage. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into the DC voltages required in the audio device.

VOLTAiR is composed of the terms Volt and Air.

Volt is the unit of electrical voltage and Air is the English word for air.

VOLTAiR symbolically stands for the seemingly limitless dynamics resulting from the high audio voltage.

Comparison

Most audio devices operate with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus handle a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. For example, if a DAC has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, peak levels of the music material would already cause overloads in the device's input stage. All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsettled sound that causes stress and faster hearing fatigue.

Devices from SPL with VOLTAiR technology can process input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – providing 12 dB more headroom. All components therefore continuously operate in the optimal working range. The result is a very pleasant, natural, and relaxed sound experience. This way, you can enjoy your music in every detail.

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Mehr Informationen
Marke	SPL HiFi
Spezifikationen	Analoger Ein- & Ausgang: Cinch & XLR (symmetrisch) Eingangsimpedanz (MM) 47 kΩ Eingangsimpedanz (MC) schaltbar Ausgangsimpedanz 75 Ω Frequenzgang (-3 dB) 10 Hz – 100 kHz Übersprechen (1kHz) -80 dBu Moving Magnet (MM) Verstärker Verstärkung (Low) 30 dB Verstärkung (Med) 40 dB Verstärkung (High) 50 dB Kapazitäten (schaltbar) 12, 47, 100, 120, 220, 330 pF Rauschen (A-bewertet, 50 dB Verstärkung) -82 dBu Dynamikumfang (50 dB Verstärkung) 132 dB Moving Coil (MC) Verstärker Verstärkung (Low) 50 dB Verstärkung (Med) 60 dB Verstärkung (High) 70 dB Impedanzen (schaltbar) 20, 50, 100, 220, 500, 1000 Ω Rauschen (A-bewertet, 70 dB Verstärkung) -62 dBu Dynamikumfang (70 dB Verstärkung) 129 dB Interne Stromversorgung; Linear-Netzteil mit geschirmtem Ringkerntransformator Betriebsspannung für analoge Audio-Elektronik +/- 60 V Betriebsspannung für Relais und LED + 12 V Netzteil Netzspannung (wählbar, siehe Sicherungskammer) 230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz Sicherung für 230 V T 0,5 A Sicherung für 115 V T 1 A Leistungsaufnahme max. 30 VA Stand-By Stromaufnahme < 0,3 W Maße & Gewicht W x H x T (Weite x Höhe inkl. Füße x Tiefe) 278 x 57 x 300 mm Gewicht des Geräts 3,2 kg

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SPL HiFi Phonos Duo black

SPL HiFi Phonos Duo black

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