|
What's The Most Neglected Component in a Phono System?
by James Leahy
For those of you who answered anything other than the humble Phono Stage sit down now! Those of you still unfamiliar with what we are discussing please read on....
The phono stage is the amplification required to step up the very low output levels produced by MM or MC cartridges to line level voltages (i.e. the 1 volt output levels of CD players, DVD players, tape decks etc.). This stage is often severely underestimated in the contribution it makes to producing a good sound. The way in which your amplifier handles the extremely low signal levels (thousandths of a Volt) from the cartridge is critical - information is more easily lost or distorted at this stage than later on in the signal path. Information lost can never be regained and any distortions and colorations are amplified thousands of times. It is not difficult to appreciate why this area has so much potential for improvement and is often the weakest link in a system.
Yes folks how many of you have paid much attention to the quality of Phono Stage you are running with your analogue rig? More often than not it comes as no more than an after thought in a system's layout and a small one at that. MM or MC the differences are certainly there and in more ways than you might first think.
The phono stage can easily make or break a vinyl based system. The stage of phono pre-amplification is absolutely crucial - more so than the pre-amp or amplifier stage - if you have any doubts about this we urge you to get a demonstration of something like the VTL TP2.5 phono stage. The reason for this importance is that the phono stage carries out up to a massive 95% of your total signal amplification from cartridge to loudspeakers!
One of the things
that continually surprises me is how many people are using their
cartridge / tonearm output directly into their integrated amplifier or
pre-amp (with on board phono stage). This is almost guaranteed to vastly
reduce the potential of the moving coil cartridge in comparison to what
is achievable through a dedicated valve phono stage. Why is this? When
one considers that 95% of the bass amplification for a moving coil
cartridge occurs in the phono stage it is easy to understand why. For
the midrange 80% of the signal amplification occurs in the phono stage.
If you are using an internal Phono Stage I would suggest trying a stand alone device – you will be amazed at the difference. Having said this please be wary that not every stand alone model out there is a safe bet. Models that offer both moving magnet and moving coil facility at under $500 are nothing short of disastrous and a complete waste of money in my view.
Main Services
Products
|
