Фонокорректоры — Rega FONO MC MK4

The Fono MC MK4 is a moving coil phono stage from Rega, rehoused in a new case announced on 15 November 2021 together with the Fono MM MK5 and the Neo MK2 power supply, and priced at GBP 249. The update was cosmetic, keeping the circuitry of the previous version, and the stage is factory-set for Rega's own moving coil cartridges.

Key specs that matter

Two gain settings are available, 63.5 dB and 69.5 dB, with sensitivity of 133 µV or 67 µV for 200 mV output and maximum input of 6.7 mV or 3.4 mV. Input loading is set with DIP switches on the rear, with resistance of 400, 150, 100 or 70 ohms and capacitance of 1,000 or 4,300 pF. The default resistance is 400 ohms. Output impedance is 200 ohms, and the minimum load is 5 kohms. Frequency response runs from 13 Hz at -3 dB to 100 kHz at -0.3 dB, with RIAA accuracy of ±0.2 dB from 100 Hz to 100 kHz. The unit is powered from 24 V AC at 150 mA.

Engineering and use context

The fully discrete input stage uses Linear Systems LSK389 low-noise dual FETs, which amplify the very small MC signal before it reaches the equalisation stage. The RIAA stage is built around a MUSE op-amp, and the signal and equalisation paths use polypropylene capacitors. Loading resistance affects how the amplifier damps the cartridge's electrical resonance, so offering four values lets the stage be matched to cartridges with different coil impedances. The two capacitance values serve the same purpose. The higher gain setting suits the lowest-output cartridges, and the lower one suits cartridges with more output, where the lower maximum input of the high gain setting could otherwise be exceeded. Because the stage runs from a separate AC supply, the mains transformer is kept outside the case, and its current draw is almost twice the 80 mA of the Fono MM MK5. The DIP switches sit on the rear panel, so settings can be changed without opening the unit.

Pairing

The Fono MC MK4 sits between a turntable fitted with an MC cartridge and a line input, such as the inputs of Rega's Elex MK4 or Brio integrated amplifiers. The 200 ohm output drives cables and inputs above 5 kohms without difficulty, and the aluminium case matches the Fono MM MK5 and the Neo power supply. Rega's own MC cartridges work with the factory setting, while other MC designs may need different DIP switch positions.

Alternatives

The Rega Aria MK2 is a higher phono stage from Rega that handles both MM and MC cartridges.