Spl Phonos Riaa Phono Preamplifier User Manual (+ PDF)

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Phonos RIAA Phono Preamplifier

Product Information

The Phonos is a preamplifier designed for record players that
use either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges. It
has an equalization curve according to RIAA and is suitable for all
vinyl records since 1954. The Phonos has up to 71.5 dB gain for MC
cartridges and 50 dB gain for MM cartridges, making it one of the
most powerful phono preamplifiers. It also features VOLTAiR
technology, which is the SPL 120V Rail Technology within the
Professional Fidelity series. This makes the Phonos an outstanding
device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and
maximum headroom, delivering an exceptional sound experience with
invincible serenity, transparency, and realness.

Product Usage Instructions

Read the Quickstart guide that comes with the Phonos thoroughly
and follow the instructions and security advice.
You can also download the Quickstart guide from the
manufacturer’s website.
Make sure that the phonos is connected to a record player that
uses either MM or MC cartridges.
Use the impedance selector switch to select the appropriate
impedance based on the type of cartridge used.
Use the capacity selector switch to select the appropriate
capacity based on the type of cartridge used.
Make sure that the power supply is connected to a power source
that matches the voltage specifications indicated on the unit.
Use the standby switch to turn on the Phonos.
Use the gain switch to select the appropriate gain based on the
type of cartridge used.
Use the subsonic filter switch to enable or disable the
subsonic filter.
Connect the audio output of the Phonos to an amplifier or other
audio device using the audio output jack.
Connect the record player to the Phonos using the record player
input jack.
Connect the ground wire of the record player to the ground
terminal on the Phonos.
Use the power LED to check if the unit is turned on.

View Fullscreen

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening

This User Manual is optimized for Acrobat Reader.
Interactive buttons may not appear in other applications.

O 10 0
2

10k 7 0

FF 150 220 33 CAPACITANCE | pF

Phonos

20 470 2k2 4k IMPEDANCE |

VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail

-10

Norm

GAIN

Off

SUBSONIC

RIAA Phono Preamplifier

Phonos User manual
RIAA Phono Preamplifier

Welcome

and thank you for choosing the Phonos.

Phonos is a preamplifier for record players using either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges. The equalization curve is according to RIAA and suitable for all vinyl records since 1954.

With up to 71.5 dB gain for MC cartridges and 50 dB gain for MM cartridges Phonos belongs to the most powerful phono preamplifiers.

VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL 120V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This makes the Phonos an outstandig device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and maximum headroom delivering an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity, transparancy and realness.

O 10 0
2

10k 7 0

FF 150 220 33 CAPACITANCE | pF

Phonos

20 470 2k2 4k IMPEDANCE |

VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail

-10

Norm

GAIN

Off

SUBSONIC

RIAA Phono Preamplifier

CAUTION

AT T ENT ION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE

DO NOT OPEN

NE PAS OUVRIR

~115 V AC/~230 V AC, 50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
Fuses: 230 V: T 500 m A L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L 250V
Voltage Selection: 1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses 3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall

Phonos
Serial Number Made in Germany

OUTPUT

AUDIO GND

RECORD PLAYER

Content
Welcome Getting Started Front View Rear View VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology
Comparisons

Specifications

Inputs and Outputs

Filter

Moving Magnet (MM) Preamplifier

Moving Coil (MC) Preamplifier

Operating Voltage

Internal Operating Voltage

Power Supply

Dimensions and Weight

Cartriges
Capacity (MM) Impedance (MC)
Subsonic filter

Dimensions (incl. feet)

Weight

10 Important Notes

Declaration of CE Conformity

Output level

Getting Started

Read thoroughly and follow the instructions as well as the security advices of the Quickstart which is enclosed in the scope of delivery! You can also download the Quickstart here.

By pressing the By pressing the By pressing the By pressing the

-Button you get to the table of contents. -Button you get to the front view of the unit. -Button you get to the rear view of the unit. -Button you get to the previous content.

Front View

Impedance (MC) 5 Capacity (MM) 4

2 Output level 1 Standby Switch

O 10 0
2

10k 7 0

FF 150 220 33 CAPACITANCE | pF

Phonos

20 470 2k2 4k IMPEDANCE |

VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail

-10

Norm

GAIN

Off

SUBSONIC

RIAA Phono Preamplifier

Cartrige 3

7 Power LED

6 Subsonic Filter

Rear View

Mains Voltage 11 Mains Switch 12

9 Record Player Ground 8 Record Player Input

CAUTION

AT T ENT ION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE

DO NOT OPEN

NE PAS OUVRIR

~115 V AC/~230 V AC, 50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
Fuses: 230 V: T 500 m A L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L 250V
Voltage Selection: 1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses 3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall

Phonos
Serial Number Made in Germany

OUTPUT

AUDIO GND

RECORD PLAYER

10 Audio Output

VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology

VOLTAiR is the synonym for our 120V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. The audio signals are processed with an unequalled +/-60V DC, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and four-times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.

VOLTAiR Technology reaches outstanding technical and sonic performances. Technically especially in terms of dynamic range and headroom and sonically especially in reproducing the finest details and delivering a totally relaxed sounding audio experience. Music sounds absolutely natural.

Comparisons

VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology

These diagrams show how our VOLTAiR Technology compares to other circuits.

The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher the operating level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential acoustic and musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also has a positive impact on the dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-noise ratio.

Operating Voltage Volt 120
120 V
100

40 36 V
30 V 20

+ / – 15 Volt

+ / – 18 Volt

+ / – 60 Volt

Max. Audio Level
dBu 145

140

141,4

135

130 129,1

125 124,2

120

OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V

VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential increases. A 3 dB increase corresponds to doubling the acoustic power, +6 dB correspond to twice the sound pressure level, and +10 dB correspond to twice the perceived loudness.

When it comes to volume, the VOLTAiR Technology exhibits a performance, in regard to maximum level and dynamic range, that is twice that of common components and circuits given that its values are approximately 10 dB higher.

THD measurements show a difference of more than 3 dB compared to the OPA134 at 36V — in terms of sound pressure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than 50%. The operating level most commonly used for audio equipment is +/- 15 volts.

Dynamic Range
dBu 35
33,2 30

21,5

22,5

0
OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V

dBu -105 -107 -109 -111 -113 -115

THD&N -106
-111,7 -114,2
TL 071@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V

Cartriges

Phonos is a preamplifier for record players using either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges.

· Choose the right setting regarding your cartridge with the Cartridge Switch (3).

Capacity (MM)
Choose the right setting regarding the capacity of your MM cartridge with the CAPACITANCE switch (4).
If you do not know the right setting for your record player, start with capacity = OFF. If you increase the value you will receive a higher tone.

FF 150 220 33 CAPACITANCE | pF

10k

Impedance (MC)
Choose the impedance for your MC cartridge with the IMPEDANCE switch (5).
If you do not know the right setting for your record player, start with an impedance of 100 ohms. If you increase the value you will receive a higher tone.

10 0

20 470 2k2 4k IMPEDANCE |

Subsonic filter

Thanks to the Subsonic filter you can eliminate the rumble. The Subsonic filter starts at 15 Hz with an edge steepness of -3 dB per octave.

· Activate the Subsonic filter with the SUBSONIC switch (6).

Off

SUBSONIC

Output level

With the GAIN switch (2) you calibrate the amplification of the Phonos. If the Cartridge switch is set to MM it is amplified by 46 dB. If it is set to MC it is amplified by 67 dB.

· Set the GAIN switch to -10 to attenuate the amplification by 10 dB (amplification MM = 36 dB, MC = 56 dB).
· Set the GAIN switch to +4 to increase the amplification by 4 dB (amplification MM = 50 dB, MC = 71.5 dB).

-10

Norm

GAIN

Specifications
Inputs and Outputs
· RCA, unbalanced, gold-plated · Input impedance (MM): 47 kohms · Input impedance (MC): switchable · Output impedance: < 5 ohms · Crosstalk: -80 dB (at 1 kHz)
Filter
· RIAA equalizer (after Douglas Self)
Moving Magnet (MM) Preamplifier
· Amplification: 46 dB (Norm), 36 dB (-10 dB), 50 dB (+4 dB) · Switchable capacitance: Off, 150 pF, 220 pF and 330 pF · Noise (A-weighted): -85.3 dB
13

Specifications

Moving Coil (MC) Preamplifier
· Amplification: 67 dB (Norm), 56 dB (-10 dB), 71.5 dB (+4 dB) · Switchable impedances: 100 / 220 / 470 ohms; 2.2 / 4.7 / 10 kohms · Noise (A-weighted): -61.7 dB
Internal Operating Voltage
· Analog: +/- 60 V
Power Supply
· Mains voltage (switchable): 230 V AC / 50Hz or 115 V AC / 60Hz · Power consumption: max. 30 VA · Fuses: 230 V: T 500mA; 115 V: T 1A · Standby power consumption: 0.7 W

Specifications

Dimensions (incl. feet)
· (WxHxD) 10.94 x 2.24 x 13.19 in (278 x 57x 335 mm)
Weight
· 7.05 lbs (3.2 kg), unit only · 9.48 lbs (4.3 kg), shipping

Specifications

Important Notes

Version 1.0 04 /2016

Developer: Bastian Neu

This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for specific characteristics or successful results. Unless stated otherwise, everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the time of delivery of the product by SPL electronics GmbH. The design and circuitry are under continuous development and improvement. Technical specifications are subject to change.

© 2016 SPL electronics GmbH. This document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner, in part or fully, without prior authorization by SPL. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve its products and reserves the right to modify the product described in this manual at any time without prior notice. SPL and the SPL Logo are registered trademarks of SPL electronics GmbH. All company names and product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Declaration of CE Conformity
The construction of this unit is in compliance with the standards and regulations of the European Community.