Professional Fidelity Mastering Grade Listening OFF 150 220 330 Phonos 100 220 470 2k2 4k7 10k -10 ON MM MC Norm +4 Off On GAIN SUBSONIC CAPACITANCE pf IMPEDANCE Ω VOLTAiR 120V DC Audio Rail RIAA Phono Preamplifier This User Manual is optimized for Acrobat Reader. Interactive buttons may not appear in other applications. Phonos User manual RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Welcome 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. OFF 150 220 330 CAPACITANCE pf MM Phonos MC 100 220 470 2k2 4k7 IMPEDANCE Ω 10k VOLTAiR 120V DC Audio Rail Norm -10 GAIN +4 Off On SUBSONIC RIAA Phono Preamplifier ON CAUTION ATTENTION 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 Phonos R Fuses: 230 V: T 500 m A L 250V 115 V: T 1 A L 250V Serial Voltage Selection: Number 1. Remove Fuse Holder 2. Exchange Fuses 3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall Made in Germany OUTPUT L AUDIO GND R L RECORD PLAYER 2
Content Welcome 2 Getting Started 4 Front View 5 Rear View 6 VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology 7 Comparisons 8 Cartriges 10 Capacity (MM) 10 Impedance (MC) 10 Subsonic filter 11 Specifications 13 Inputs and Outputs 13 Filter 13 Moving Magnet (MM) Preamplifier 13 Moving Coil (MC) Preamplifier 14 Operating Voltage 14 Internal Operating Voltage 14 Power Supply 14 Dimensions and Weight 15 Dimensions (incl. feet) 15 Weight 15 Important Notes 16 Declaration of CE Conformity 16 Output level 12
Getting Started 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. 4
Front View Front View 1 Standby Switch OFF 150 220 330 Phonos 100 220 470 2k2 4k7 10k -10 ON MM MC Norm +4 Off On GAIN SUBSONIC CAPACITANCE pf IMPEDANCE Ω VOLTAiR 120V DC Audio Rail RIAA Phono Preamplifier 7 Power LED 5
Rear View Rear View Mains Voltage 11 9 Record Player Ground Mains Switch 12 8 Record Player Input ~115 V AC/~230 V AC, 50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W Phonos R L R L CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR 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 Serial Number 4. Reinstall Made in Germany OUTPUT AUDIO GND RECORD PLAYER 10 Audio Output 6
VOLTAiR 120V Rail Technology 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. 7
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. Volt 120 Operating Voltage 120 V dbu 145 Max. Audio Level 100 140 141,4 80 135 60 40 20 30 V 36 V 130 125 124,2 129,1 0 + / - 15 Volt + / - 18 Volt + / - 60 Volt 120 OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V 8
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. dbu 35 30 Dynamic Range 33,2 dbu -105-107 -106 THD&N 25 20 21,5 22,5-109 15-111 -111,7 10 5-113 -114,2 0 OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V -115 TL 071@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V 9
Cartriges 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). MM MC Capacity (MM) Choose the right setting regarding the capacity of your MM cartridge with the CAPACITANCE OFF 150 220 330 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. CAPACITANCE pf Impedance (MC) Choose the impedance for your MC cartridge with the IMPEDANCE switch (5). 100 220 470 2k2 4k7 10k 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. IMPEDANCE Ω 10
Subsonic filter 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 On 11
Output level 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). Norm -10 GAIN +4 12
Specifications 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
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 Specifications 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 14
Dimensions (incl. feet) (WxHxD) 10.94 x 2.24 x 13.19 in (278 x 57x 335 mm) Specifications Weight 7.05 lbs (3.2 kg), unit only 9.48 lbs (4.3 kg), shipping 15
Important Notes 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. 16