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PHONO 2 Ci MKII
- symmetric highend MM/MC Phono Pre
amplifier
 User's
Manual
Broschure
Optimum setup of Phono2Ci
 -
Magazin 06/2005 #5: Testbericht -
Link
- Magazin 12/2005 Nr.#54 - REVIEW - MKI
- 01/2006 - Vinylium Schweiz - Measurementreport
- MKI
- Magazin 02/2006 #68 - audition -
MKI
Hifi World (UK) 2/2006 - review
MKI
- Magazin 03/2006
- test review -
MKI
- 04/2006 - Review Part II - MKI Link
- 05/2006 - TESTE (portuguese) -
MKI
-
06/2006 - reviewers choice - MKI Link
- 06/2006 -#399 (greek)
Test - MKI
- #3/2006 - listening and review report (german) - MKI
- Writer's Choice Award for 2006 - MKI Link
- 05/2007 -# (french) REVIEW -
MKII
- 09/07 - Phonostage review- MKII
- 12/07 - Phonostages roundup - MKII
- 07/08 - TEST (polish) - MKII-
Link
- 07/08 - review (english) - M. Fremer MKII-
Link
-
09/08 - review (english) -J. Darby MKII-
Link
 - 05/09 - review (english) - J. S. MKII - Link
 - 09/09 - review (english) - M. L. MKII - Link
REGA Tonearm modification (removing
the internal ground): REGA
Tonearm modification
REGA 250 300 600 900 etc. Tonearm modification :
REGA
Tonearm rewiring - in the works, use above mod instead
Which Tonearms
are prepared or available for balanced operation?
Tonearm-list
Introduction
The Phono 2 Cl is a state of the art audiophile fully balanced
audiophile phono stage. Perhaps closed to the best phonopre
amps in terms of flexibility and surely one of the very best
phonostage of all audiophile phonostages for the audiophile
music lover, who wants to intense is "experiences"
when listening trough his vinyl. Enjoy full bandwith and high
dynamic.
It is an excellent choice for high-end audio enthusiasts who
like to get the best possible quality from their turntables
and cartridges.
Unique
The PHONO 2 CI is an excellent Phonopreamplifier in fully
balanced Single-Ended Class-A design. He incorporates beside
the regular RCA input which is based on voltage amplification,
additionally an XLR TRUE balanced current amplifier input
for MC-cartridges.
Both inputs have flexible gain adjustment to match the cartridge
with the input-amplifictaion.
Fact:
MC (Moving Coil)-cartridges are balanced current
generators and matching best with balanced current amplifiers
MM (Moving Magnet)-cartridges are voltage generators
and matching best with voltage amplifiers
The Vinylfriend has here the unique possibility to choose
between two completely different amplification technologies.
The unbalanced voltage amplification or the balanced current
amplification input. Both amplification methods are user adjustable
or working automatically. Because of this flexibility there
was no MM oder MC cartridge found, which did not sound excellent
with the Phono2Ci.
inside each of the 4 analog amp-modules are 8 LED´s
as
reference-voltagesources and for voltage-smoothing.
19" Rack Mounts (click)
Click on photo for magnified view.
Interior view (click) Rear
view (click)
 
Features of this fine phonoamp
Why actually ballanced / symmetrical phono preamplification?
There are two clean- symmetrical (mass-free) signal sources.
On the one hand microphones, which explains also the historical
origination of the symmetrical signal transmission within
the professional audio range, on the other hand the MovingCoil
pick-ups. There it is actually amazing that symmetrical /
balanced circuits are so rarely used in phonostages. Because
here one has to do as also with microphones, with very small
voltages/currents with those the advantages of symmetrical
signal processing would fully take effekt: During the symmetrical
processing two contrary-phased signals are transferred. The
amplifier forms the difference between both signals. Thus
with symmetrical processing not the difference of an electrical
signal is used to the mass, but the difference of two electrical
signals. Disturbances, which usually arise on both signal-lines,
are so effectively erased. In addition the XLR input has 6db
higher amplification, this is more effective and results in
better signal/noise ratio.
During asymmetrical connection a half wave of the MC signal
is connected with the often contaminated common-ground!
TRUE balanced with just two conductors?
Normally balanced connections have 3 conductors: positive,
negative and ground.
But in the case of eg. cartriges or microphones, which are
balanced sources with just 2 conductors - positive and negative.
The technical term is floating balanced or balanced without
ground. Yes this is TRUE balanced! The positive signal is
connected to one dedicated amplifier stage and the negative
signal is inverted and also connected to one dedicated amplifier
stage = differential amplifier!
New in the MKII Version:
LowNoise power supply, with 10dB
quiter power output. (in 01/07 also available as
upgrade for Phono2Ci MKI)
Our designers created a completely new
LowNoise
powersupply. Now the power output delivers with 10dB lower
noise, cleaner energy and has a higher efficiency. Some better
filters where added to bann the dirt also in lower frequencys.
At the powersupplys output resides a linear regulator. The
result is audible. And the sound of the MKII is now better
even under bad power conditions.
New in the MKII Version:
better protection against magnetic and electric disturbances
and interspersions.
New in the MKII Version:
finetuning of the soundquality - the result is pure musicality
A cable recommendation for the different
amplification methods of the Phono2Ci:
for the unbalanced RCA-Voltageamplification input, a cable
with low capacitive value is important.
For the balanced XLR-Currentamplification input, we urge for
the usage of a cable with low inductive values.
Either two unscreened braided wires per channel, or balanced
screened braided cable (two wires in one screen per channel).
Unscreened:
unscreened cable sounds more open
Braided:
far less noise and disturbances
Automatic adjustment with MC-cartridges connected to the
balanced-current-amplifier XLR input:
The automatic adjustment of balanced connected MC-cartridges
is not "automatic" adjustment! Rather it is an under
match, i.e. the source is of higher impedance as the input,
i.e. the current of the energy generated by the MC-coils in
the cartridge are measured for signal generation, not the
voltage. The Phono2Ci input is of low impedance, so that each
connected capacity or each extra resistance does not play
a role, better is unneccessary.
MC cartridges supply generally little voltage, but a completely
useful current (otherwise the signal would not be possible
to transform with an MC-transformer. The product of voltage
times current remains on same value). The AQVOX PHONO2CI evaluates
the current, which flows from the cartridge by the input,
not the comparatively small voltage. All MC cartridges deliver
similar currents, whether Low output or High output MC. While
the differences of potential are considerable, the current
differences are only small. Thus a High output MC has only
little more level than a Low output MC does for the phonopreamp.
The cartridge is connected "floating balanced" -
means with no ground connection.
Another effect of the under match is that the cartridges are also
electrically dampened. That leads to the fact that some cartridges
with high-resonance at this input sound much more neutral.
On the other hand there is not the dynamic restriction, which
a low impedance voltage input can bring with itself. One can
point out again and again that the current input (XLR) comes
a Moving Coil cartridge much more against, as it a tension
input (RCA) can. Beyond that the symmetrical input stage of
the AQVOX PHONO2CI works very many more cleanly in the current
mode - Current amplification, since the voltage characteristic
of the transistors will not go through here.
Genuine fully balanced (symmetrical) circuit design in
the entire signal path
The PHONO 2 Cl is a highly precise Phonostage for MM and MC
pick-up´s. It is a excellent choice for all music lovers,
who would like to play their vinyl records on highest level.
By the balanced XLR outputs the equipment is very well applicable
in professional audio/media studios.
XLR- or Cinch
The PHONO 2 CI has an asymmetrical Cinch input for the connection
of MM or MC pick-ups. The RCA/Cinch input is only for not fish not flesh MC-cartridges the better choice. The best
performance from a MC pick-up is achievable on the XLR input.
Because behind the XLR input acts the current-amplifier, which
fits best to a current-generator like a MC-cartridge´s
generator. The XLR input suits almost all Moving Coil pick-up´s
and is sonically better due to the Current amplification circuit.
The Current Amplification principle does not require any impedance
matching.
All MC´s are balanced and all tonearms too (some REGA´s not, but this is easy to modify),
try AQVOX special
balanced-phonocables. they are available with XLR-to-RCA, or XLR-to-SME 5pin, or with custom plugs terminated. Simply contact AQVOX in case of questions.
No integrated OPamp in the signal path
Discrete circuit design realized with most modern layout and
best parts.
All capacitors in the signal path are low-loss, non-inductive
polypropylene condensers.
One percent metall-film resistors within the entire audio
range.
Current Amplification and single Ended Class-A without
global overall feedback
The combination of Current Amplification for the input stage and
single Ended Class-A technology for the output stage
results in a precise warm and airy sound quality with high dynamics.
remember:
MC (Moving Coil)-cartridges are balanced current
generators and matching best with balanced current amplifiers
MM (Moving Magnet)-cartridges are voltage generators
and matching best with voltage amplifiers
No over all/global feedback
All amplifiers runing without global overall feedback, only little local feedback is used.
In this way dynamic distortions are already drastically reduced.
Very short signal path by the use of only one amplifier stage per
output stage.
No differential input offset (zero offset) at the XLR
Current amplification input-
that means safety for the MC-pick-up. The cartridge sees only
the difference of the
input potentials, which should be naturally 0 V. The few current
amp phonostages,
which are on the market have all a problem with
the offset
regulation, since even few mVs offset exceeding the original
output
of the pick-up. In addition, often when powering on a regular
current-amp phonostage
the offset does not stand stable and the pick-up suffers from
the offset.
The AQVOX XLR CI is a symmetrical current input, which is
designed that it does not
have any offset problems because of different principle. There
is also
no automatic control loop (feedback) and even when powering
on the Phono2Ci,
it produces no offset.
AC or DC free (zero offset) input-stage.
For our demanding audiophile customers:
Later MKI and all MKII versions have internal DIP-switches
to bridge the output-capacitors.
Overall better sound, like more roominformation, transparency
and so on...
Attention!
!The use of the switches is on own risk and without any
guarantee for connected devices!
If the connected Preamp/Amplifier has no Input-coupling-capacitors,
heavy damages of devices, speakers and ear damages could happen!
Attention!
If you want to bridge the Phono2Ci´s output-caps,
please let the manufacturer of your Amplifier what is connected
to the Phono2Ci confirm you, that this Amp has capacitors
(coupling-capacitors) at the input.
Do this before you bridge the Phono2Ci´s output-caps.
DC free or AC coupled analog Outputstages.
Attention!
The internal DIP-Switches have following function:
OFF = bridging is DISABLED (Capacitors are ON)
ON = bridging is ENABLED (Capacitors are OFF)
Flexible possibilities:
Amplification factor:
For records with unequal channels or cartridges with channel
imbalances the GAIN controllers on the front do offer a correction
possibility. A channel-separate adjustment of the input amplification.
These potentiometers adjusting the input amplification factor
and are NO volumeknobs. With a Mini DIP switch on the back
the amplification factor for the RCA/Cinch input can be increased
additionally by +6db for High output MC cartridges and/or
Low output MM pick-ups or by +20db for MC pick-ups. (the DIP-switches
do not affect the XLR input)
High amplification
Noise free amplification even for Ultra-Ultra Low-Output cartridges
like eg. 0,10mV, but also for HighOutput cartridges of over
2,5mV the amplification (gainfactor) of the Phono2Ci is always
easy adjustable for the optimum sound!
RCA input = 49db - 68db
XLR input = 55db - 75db
Load capacities
The frequency response of the high tone range for MM pick-ups
can be adapted in fine steps by combining different input
capacities. The capacity-values (+47PF; +100PF; +220PF; +470PF)
add themselves to each other in each combination and to the
internal 47pF.
Feed impedance
The 47kOhm feed impedance of the RCA/Cinch input can be lowered
to 1kOhm (a recommendable value for the High output MCs) or
100 ohms (a usual value for most MC pick-ups).
!! when the XLR-input is used: Automatic adjustment
with MC-cartridges connected to the balanced-current-amplifier
XLR input, no termination possible/required. Except the input
switch is set on RCA, then the DIP-switches allow the activation/deactivation
of the the capacities/impedances.
Subsonic filter
To suppress rumble and other subsonic disturbances of the
record player, record etc. a Subsonic filter can be activated.
Filter characteristic: -9dB/10 hz, -18 dB/5 hz, -48 dB/2 hz
Equalisation
RIAA equalisationfilter with Neumann time constant (50kHz
roll-off) for a particularly expanded and phase-correct transparent
and natural high tone range.
Original RIAA curve enhanced with the cuttinprocess timeconstant
Neumann (50kHz)
Important: up from 10kHz more correct phase shift and the
level, more natural and transparent extended highs, closer
to the original.
Additional
Timeconstant of 3.18us resp. 50kHz to the standard RIAA,
the 50kHz Neumann Time-Constant - what is the benefit ? Here
the technical info as pdf file.
Ground lift switch
The phonoamps internal ground-circuit to the housing can be
interrupted, in order to obtain a hum-poorer result.
Outputs
Balanced XLR or asymmetrical Cinch/RCA outputs (both outputs
are always active, disregarding the choosen input)
At the RCA output, the internal true balanced signal will be converted into unbalanced signal for use with unbalanced inputs of e.g. unbalanced amplifiers.
Ultraclean switching power supply
Special pre- and postfilters of the mains voltage makes it
insensitive to line disturbances.
This Class-A phonostage takes only 5 Watts in power consumption.
Automatic AC voltage detection from 100V to 240V AC.
Use of pollution free lead free CuAgSn silver solder.
Gold plated printed circuit board surfaces.
Blue transparent low light LED-Buttons.
Solid full aluminum rotary buttons.
Button position even from larger distance recognizable.
CNC milled full aluminum fronts and aluminum continuous casting
of side parts.
Durable aluminum angles for the assembly in 19"racks
available.
Energy-saving design, low temperature emission
Dimensions (B/H/T): approx.. 435 x 59 x 290 mm
Weight approx.. 2,8 kg
Adjustability/Flexibility
Gain potentiometers at the frontpanel adjusting channel
unbalances and for optimum matching the input for the pickup.
This is for both inputs XLR and RCA. For easy finetuning.
The GAIN-pots are NO volumepots !
Gain switch (only for RCA input) adds 6 dB gain for use
with High Output Moving Coil or Low Output Moving Magnet cartridges.
Switch + 20dB adds 18 dB gain for use with Moving Coil cartridges.
Input Capacity -Use the capacity switches to adjust
high frequency range of Moving Magnet cartridges. The capacity
sum up to each other and to the internal 47pF and cable capacity.
Capacities: 47 pF, 100 pF, 220 pF, 470 pF
Input Impedance -Input Impedance can be set to 1 kOhm,
a recommended value for most High Output Moving Coils, or
to 100 Ohm, a common value for most Moving Coils.
Subsonic Filter -Switch to reduce subsonic noise and
large speaker excursions -9dB / 10 Hz, -18 dB / 5 Hz, -48
dB / 2 Hz
Absolutely not affecting the bass-response, just filters out
infrasonic.
High Gain
Noisefree amplification even for Ultra-Ultra Low-Output MC-pickups like 0,10mV. But also for HighOutput cartridges with over 3mV the amplification factor is adjustable with the GAIN at the frontpanel. This way the Phono2Ci is always fast and easy adjustable for optimum sound.
Cinch (RCA) Eingang = 49db - 68db
XLR Eingang= 55db - 75db
No OP-Amps in signal path
Fully discrete (single transistors) Single Ended Class
A amplification technology and the latest state of the art
components to sound most dynamic, highly detailed yet neutral
and untiring. We believe the Phono 2 CI to be a unit with
outstanding sound quality and an excellent value.
Passive Filters
the RIAA filters are passive
No global overall feedback
The unique combination of Balanced Current Amplification
and Single Ended Class-A technology, the use of just one amplifier
per balanced analog output stage provides you with today's
best possible sound quality. The amplifier section runs without
global overall feedback, only with lokal feedback. Thus the
amplifier generates drastically less dynamic distortions.
True balanced circuitry for entire analog signal path
Due to Phono 2 CI's balanced XLR current amplification
input and also balanced XLR output, Phono 2 Cl is best choice
for professional users as well.
Equalisation-Filter
RIAA (standard Neumann time constant) +- 0.25dB
Technical specifications
RCA- Input-Sensitivity:
49db - 68db / 0,4-12mVrms 1kHz, 1Vrms out XLR
RCA-Input-Impedance:
47-kOhm, switchable to 1-kOhm and 100-Ohm
RCA-Input-Capacity:
47pF internal, switchable +47pF, +100pF, +220pF, +470pF
XLR-Current-Input-Sensitivity:
55db - 75db (suits for cartridges from 0,10mV to over 3,5mV)
XLR-Current-Input-Impedance:
10-Ohm
The sensivity of the XLR Current-Amplification-Input
is depending on Voltage and Impedance of the Moving Coil Cartridge.
The CI-Input fits to a wide range of Mc´s,
including High-Output MC´s as well as Ultra-Ultra Low-Output
MC´s.
Equalisation-Filter:
RIAA with Neumann time constant +/- 0,25 dB (50kHz roll-off)
Subsonic-Filter:
-9dB / 10 Hz, -18 dB / 5 Hz, -48 dB / 2 Hz
THD + Noise:
1V out-XLR 0.009% at min. 0.04% at max. MM-RCA-In
1V out-XLR 0.019% at min. 0.09% at max. MC-RCA-In
Signal-Noise Ratio (S/N) IHF-A:
1V-Out-XLR-MM-RCA-In 76dB Flat, 84dBA at min./ 63dB Flat,
71dBA at max.*
1V-Out-XLR-MC-RCA-In 69dB Flat, 78dBA at min./ 57dB Flat,
65dBA at max*
Power consumption 5 W
External dimensions (w / h / d): ca. 435 x 59 x 290
mm Weight ca. 2.8 kg
Accessory: Alu-rackmounts for 19"-Standard-Racks,
available in silver color.
FUSE 250V 2A-T (lame)
*min. and max. Stating the minimum/maximun position of the
front Gain-knobs.
Product features, design, specifications, system requirements,
and availability are subject to change without notice.
High Resulotion Photos
Small: 1000 x
618 px / 72 dpi - 120 kB :: open window
Large: 5041
x 3086 px / 800 dpi - 918 kB :: download ZIP-file
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