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Phono Stages

Phono stages are the essential amplification required to amplify extremely small and yet very complex signal levels from your cartridge up to line level. How well this is achieved is crucial to your enjoyment of your vinyl collection.

 

 

There are two main types of phono cartridge available: Moving Magnet and Moving Coil. Their voltage outputs can vary widely, so it's a good idea to check the manufacturer's specifications or contact us so as to ensure complete compatibility and the best sound possible.

Linn Urika II Phono Stage

Linn Urika II Phono Stage


Using Linn’s cutting-edge digital signal processing technology, the Linn Urika II phono stage now carries out the key process of implementing the RIAA curve in the digital domain. This brings you lower distortion, lower noise and more music.

Transported over Linn Exakt Link, the musical information that Linn Urika II delivers is perfectly preserved until the moment it reaches your ears, delivering a musical experience like never before.

That’s not all. Linn take the same approach with Urika II that they do with their Exakt-enabled loudspeakers. This means they can optimise each and every individual device, correcting the variations inherent in the analogue stage to ensure outstanding performance every time.

Linn Urika II can be optimised to work with your preferred cartridge load values. Simply choose from Linn’s list of popular cartridges or enter your own. You can even optimise Linn Urika II for your most comfortable armchair, and easily change when you next upgrade your cartridge.

Linn Urika II is powered by Linn’s extraordinary Radikal power supply and is mounted on the integrated Linn Trampolin base board within the plinth of your Linn Sondek LP12 to maintain phono stage isolation and improve deck suspension.

The perfect upgrade for Linn Urika, Linn has tested Linn Urika II in incredible detail to measure the difference it makes, and most importantly of all they used their ears to listen!

 

Linn Urika Phono Stage

Linn Urika Phono Stage

The Linn Urika Moving Coil phono stage is specifically designed for the Linn Sondek LP12. Mounted on a modified Linn Trampolin baseboard, the Linn Urika fits snugly inside the plinth, permitting a very short signal interconnect from the arm. This means that signal loss and noise are minimised, ensuring a new level of clarity and detail. The Linn Urika works with the Linn Radikal motor upgrade to deliver a new benchmark in Linn Sondek LP12 performance.

The Linn Urika features a dual mono design which ensures consistent reproduction of the music on each channel without any potential crosstalk. Direct coupled RCA or transformer coupled XLR outputs allow you to choose the best connection option for your system and guarantees exceptional performance in all conditions.

The Linn Urika takes its power from the Linn Radikal DC motor upgrade and they work together to create a vast upgrade to any Linn Sondek LP12.

Linn Uphorik Phono Stage

Linn Uphorik Phono Stage

The Linn Uphorik phono stage is based on the Linn Urika design but is housed separately in its own stand-alone box. It can therefore be used in a wide variety of situations and also with a range of turntables. Both Phono and XLR inputs and outputs are available.

Comprehensive cartridge loading, both resistive and capacitive, is provided via easy to use dip switches on the underside of the casework and is switchable between Moving Coil and Moving Magnet cartridges for complete flexibility and compatibility.

Naim Superline Phono Stage

The Naim Superline can be powered from a suitable Naim preamplifier, or a Naim power supply. Ultimate performance is achieved by partnering the Naim Superline with a Naim Supercap and Burndy cable.

Whilst the loading options were fairly limited when the Naim Superline was first launched, Naim’s clever loading plug arrangement allows for the easy insertion of new load values. Peter Swain of Cymbiosis embarked on a series of listening tests and loading experiments to get the best sound from the Naim Superline using a wide variety of cartridges and he posted the conclusions of these tests on Naim’s forum at that time.

Additionally, Peter undertook a further series of tests using the Airplug din plug as found on the Hi-Line cable. Using these plugs to house the loading resistors resulted in a big improvement in performance over the standard plug; this was again reported on the Naim Forum. Naim now offer a wide range of loading values for both standard and Airplug loadplugs and further information is available on our accessories page.

Naim Stageline Phono Stage

Naim Stageline Phono Stage

There are four types of Naim Stageline available: N is for use with Moving Magnet cartridges, K is for Linn Moving Coil cartridges, S is for all other low-output Moving Coil cartridges, and E can be specified for use with Moving Coil cartridges with a higher output.

The Naim Stageline can also be specified with either RCA phono inputs, or if you are using the Naim Aro tonearm, BNC inputs. The Naim Stageline can be powered from a Naim system in a variety of ways, the most basic being via the powered sockets on appropriate Naim Preamplifiers and on some integrated amplifiers and Uniti products. Additionally, a separate Naim power supply like the Flatcap, Hi-Cap or Supercap can be used for even better performance.

 

Rega Aura Reference Phono Stage

Rega Aura Reference Phono Stage

The Rega Reference Aura MC phono stage is the culmination of decades of electronic design development. Rega have created the ultimate, fully adjustable, three stage, all symmetrical pre-amplifier designed purely to extract the very best performance from your moving coil cartridge and vinyl playback system.

Built into a completely re-designed custom case, the Rega Aura is dedicated to moving coil cartridges and stays clear of any compromises. Rega have avoided including any superfluous functions, as they obstruct the signal path and degrade the sound quality. The Rega Aura phono stage incorporates remarkable and innovative design ideas. If you are a vinyl connoisseur, then the Rega Aura MC is an absolute must for demonstration.

Rega Aria Phono Stage

Rega Aria

The Rega Aria phono stage is housed in the same shoebox-size casework as the Rega Brio-R and Rega Apollo-R and is the perfect addition to your compact system. What the Rega Aria lacks in size it certainly makes up for in presence. Sitting inside the Rega Aria are two completely dedicated phonostages; one for moving magnet cartridges and the other for moving coil. This allows you to get an amazing sound from any cartridge you wish to use.

The moving magnet side of the Rega Aria uses low-noise bipolar input transistors configured as a compound pair. There are two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub power supplies for both of the low-noise input circuits. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors have been used in critical positions throughout the power supplies. Polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and equalization networks. Discrete circuitry is used throughout the signal path ensuring full control of the circuit design.

The MC side of the Rega Aira uses parallel connected low-noise FETs (Field Effect Transistors) configured as a compound pair. The use of FET transistors ensures there is no bias current flowing in the cartridge coil so as not to upset the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge. The MC input has a provision for selecting resistive input loading of 70Ω to 400Ω and capacitive loading of 1000pF to 4200pF. The input sensitivity can be changed by 6dB via the back panel. The Aria MM/MC phonostage is the perfect addition to your existing cartridge and, partnered with the Rega Planar 6, Rega Planar 8 or Rega Planar 10 or even the Linn Sondek LP12, will get the very best from your analogue system.

Vertere Phono-1 Phono Stage

Vertere Phono-1 MkII

MC | MM Preamplifier PHONO-1 MkII gets the best from any high-quality record player, with maximum dynamic range and supreme detail resolution. With more than 10 gain settings, 15 resistance and 9 capacitance settings, PHONO-1 MkII leaves nothing to chance. It makes the perfect match for almost any Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridge.

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II Phono StageLehmann Audio Black Cube SE II Phono Stage


The advanced version of the multi-awarded Lehmann Black Cube SE phono stage has a lot to offer: based on the SE audio circuit, the SE II has been upgraded with superior sockets, visually it excels by a housing with a faceplate. A bass filter, which can be finetuned extensively to your personal needs, takes the performance of the Lehmann Black Cube series to a new level.

As the proud owner of a Lehmann Black Cube SE II you will get the feeling as if the music had been composed just for you. There is hardly a system that can be tailored so individually to your listening habits and acoustic preferences like this technical masterpiece. The Lehmann Black Cube SE II will bring you and your favourite music together even more closely!

Virtually all common systems from high-output MM to MC may be connected to the LehmannBlack Cube SE II. Lehmann have included a free slot per channel for the solder-free fitting of a custom impedance, and there is also an extra hardwired plug-in location with immediate action.

Due to a custom-designed toroidal mains transformer with a static shielding, the strong and seriously oversized external power supply ensures a particularly safe operation. Neutrik XLR connectors with gold-plated pins provide the safe contact between audio section and PWX power supply; the cable between audio and power section is shielded. Furthermore, the two housings are made of a non-magnetic material (aluminium) and their top lids are mechanically dampened.

Dynavector P75 mk IV Phono Stage

Dynavector P75 mk IV Phono Stage

After 14 years of service, the Dynavector DV P75 phono stage is now in it’s 4th incarnation and better than ever. The chassis is larger and in a new guise, a sign of things to come for DV Amplifiers. The real changes though come in the form of power and sound- near zero noise, custom made precision components enabling extreme RIAA accuracy, and a doubling of power efficiency. Compatible with all cartridge types, the Dynavector P75 mk 4 is here and on demonstration at Cymbiosis.