Фонокорректоры — Luxman EQ-500

The Luxman EQ-500 is a phono amplifier in which every stage uses vacuum tubes. Its RIAA stage is a non-feedback CR type equalizer built on SRPP circuits, with a cathode follower as the final stage. The valve complement is four ECC83, two ECC82 and one EZ81 rectifier, all made by JJ Electronic in Slovakia. The chassis is 440 x 92 x 397 mm, slightly wider than the usual full-size format, and weighs 12.5 kg. The Australian recommended retail price was AUD 8,999 in 2017.

Key specs that matter

The unit accepts MM, MC high and MC low cartridges. At the 36 dB setting, gain is 36 dB (MM), 55 dB (MC high) and 63 dB (MC low), and the matching input sensitivities are 4 mV, 0.44 mV and 0.18 mV. MM input impedance is continuously variable from 30k to 100k ohm, MC high is 40 ohm and MC low is 2.5 ohm. Rated output is 250 mV, and the output impedance of 850 ohm applies to both the single-ended and balanced outputs. Signal-to-noise ratio is 76 dB for MM, 75 dB for MC high and 74 dB for MC low, and distortion is 0.07% at 1 kHz for 1 V output at the 36 dB gain setting. RIAA deviation stays within 0.3 dB between 20 Hz and 20 kHz on all three cartridge settings, and channel separation at 10 kHz is 65 dB. Power consumption is 47 W.

Engineering and use context

Three unbalanced inputs are provided, and the output side has two unbalanced pairs plus one balanced XLR connection, selected from the front panel. Load capacitance for MM can be chosen in six steps - 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 pF. A three-position gain selector adapts the level to the cartridge, and further switches handle phase inversion, mono mode and low and high cut filters. A cartridge demagnetizer function, called Articulator, is also built in, and signal level meters sit beside the toggle switches for input and cartridge type. Internal shielding is used extensively inside the case. The unit runs from 230 V at 50 Hz or 115 V at 60 Hz depending on region.

Pairing

With its XLR socket, the EQ-500 can connect directly into a preamplifier with balanced inputs, while the two RCA outputs can feed an integrated amplifier and a recorder at the same time. With three inputs, up to three turntables or tonearms can remain connected, each matched through the front panel load and gain controls.

Alternatives

The Luxman E-250 is a compact solid-state phono amplifier with an NF type equalizer, two inputs and four MM load settings in a 4.3 kg chassis.