Vertere PHONO-1 MKII L Phono stage MM/MC
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Touraj Moghaddam, founder and chief executive of Vertere, announced that the multi-award-winning PHONO-1 MKII, MM/MC Phono Preamplifier has been improved. The New PHONO-1 MKII L features improved performance, a new gold-plated L-shaped Printed Circuit Board and significantly enhanced accessibility for the customisation DIP switches.
The sound quality improvements are subtle but significant. The PHONO-1 MKII already was better than the original due to the more optimal choice of components. The L takes this further with non-trivial PCB layout improvements. Moving the linear power supply to the main PCB allowed a significant track and ground plane layout optimisation. The new design ensures signal tracks are of equal length, impedances lowered, and track widths adjusted to direct current flow.
The PHONO-1 MKII L is user-configurable for most Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Cartridges available. The DIP switches on the bottom of the unit facilitate the choice of 15 input impedances and 9 options of capacitance together with 10 choices of gain. For example, it allows a somewhat peaky (with a rising HF response) Moving Coil cartridge to be tamed by adding capacitance rather than by reducing input impedance. Lowering the input impedance tends to 'slug' the sound, reducing musical performance and drama along with lowering the brightness. Adding capacitance while keeping the input impedance higher allows the full performance to shine.
Gold Plated PCB Assembly
New ‘L’ shaped high-quality gold plated PCBs for the main phono circuit and the mains power transformer ensure optimised grounding and power distribution. Stainless steel shield ensures that any unwanted interference is kept well away from the audio signal.
Combined with the use of high-quality components and special solder, guarantee consistent optimum performance for the long term.
Double Shielded Main Circuit
Vertere’s PHONO-1 MM | MC Preamplifier utilises stainless steel shields to further enhance isolation of the RIAA and preamplifier circuits. All power supply components and circuits are outside of the main cover shield and away from any signal path.
Switchable Input Loading
PHONO-1 MkII L has two switch banks, now easily accessible from the underside of the unit, that allow 15 resistance and 9 capacitance settings for left and right channels.
Perfect load matching is crucial to maximising performance, for both Moving Coil and Moving Magnet cartridges – and in this respect PHONO-1 leaves nothing to chance.
Switchable Gain Setting
Another switch bank, also easily accessible from the underside of the unit, offers no less than 10 gain settings to provide the best level matching, within the gain range provided.
This ensures minimal level change between different sources used in the system.
Chassis Ground and PCB Earth Switch
A 3-way switch provided at the back of PHONO-1 gives the options of ‘Hard Ground’, ‘Ground Lift’ or ‘Soft Ground’ connection of the preamplifier and the chassis, to minimise any hum that may be introduced between the PHONO-1 and the main amplifier.
PHONO-1 Finishes
The PHONO-1 is available in a range of high-end finishes, including a new DG-1S design featuring a front panel to match the new Vertere record player (pictured). Finishes also available: Silver aluminium, Signature Vertere Orange and Semi-matt Black.
Technical Specifications
Main Phono Circuit on Separate Gold Plated PCB
Power Supply - Linear, Int. Switchable
Transformer on Separate Gold Plated PCB
Gain Settings - 40.2dB to 62.8dB
In 10 Steps – See Manual
High Gain version - Add 6.4dB to all settings
47k for MM
78R to 47K for MC - in 15 Steps - See Manual
Capacitance -100pF & 470pF for MM
100pF to 1.02uF for MC – In 9 Steps – See Manual
Frequency Response - 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
Noise - < -78dB – AWD
THD-N - 0.03%
Finish - Front Panel Options
Vertere Orange, Silver, Black, DG-1 Gloss Black
Weight - 2.00Kg
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