Фонокорректоры — Bryston BP-2 MM/MC

The BP-2 MM/MC is a phono preamplifier from Bryston, the Canadian manufacturer based in Ontario, which accepts MM as well as MC pickups. It works with an external power supply, either the PS-3 or the MPS-2, and its US price was USD 2,100 including the PS-3. The UK price is GBP 1,800, and Bryston covers it with a 20-year warranty.

Key specs that matter

Gain is 41 dB for moving magnet cartridges. The MC versions add internal step-up transformers, with the BP2-20 providing 61 dB and the BP2-30 providing 72 dB. The 20 dB transformer is a 1 to 10 step-up suited to MC cartridges up to 45 ohms, with 25 ohms as the optimum, and outputs above 0.3 mV. RIAA accuracy is ±0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. THD plus noise is below 0.005% for MM and 0.007% for MC, and signal to noise ratio is 80 dB relative to a 5 mV input. On the back are single RCA input and output pairs and a ground lug, and there is no balanced output. The unit measures 70 x 145 x 210 mm and weighs 1.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

An MC cartridge produces a very small signal, and instead of adding extra transistor gain, Bryston raises it with a step-up transformer inside the BP-2, which multiplies the voltage passively before the MM gain stage. The BP2-30 version adds 30 dB for low-output cartridges. MM capacitive loading can be set with four internal jumpers between 100 and 400 pF, to suit the capacitance the cartridge specification calls for, although no resistive loading options are published. With the mains transformer and rectifiers housed in a separate case, the phono circuitry in the main unit carries only low-voltage DC.

Pairing

The BP-2 MM/MC goes into a line-level input, for example on one of Bryston's own preamplifiers or on any integrated amplifier. Choosing between the BP2-20 and BP2-30 versions depends on the output of the MC cartridge, with the higher-gain version for the lowest outputs. MM cartridges use the direct MM stage with the capacitance set by jumper. The compact case can stand next to the turntable, which keeps the cable from the tonearm short.

Alternatives

The Bryston BP-3 is a newer phono stage, offered in MM or MM/MC form at USD 1,245, and it also runs from the PS-3 or MPS-2 power supply.