Фонокорректоры — S.A.Lab p245 EX

The p245 EX is a valve phono preamplifier from Art Audio Lab in Tula, Russia, handling both MM and MC cartridges, and it builds on the company's earlier p245. What it adds is a set of MC step-up transformers ahead of the valve circuit. The front panel is cut from solid black ash, walnut or cherry, and the maker's list price is 109,900 roubles.

Key specs that matter

Separate switchable MM and MC inputs let the unit serve two cartridge types or two turntables at once. Input impedance is 47 kohm for MM and 470 ohm for MC, with gain of at least 48 dB and 65 dB respectively and a recommended minimum input of 1 mV for MM and 0.2 mV for MC. Art Audio Lab quotes 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB, deviation from the RIAA curve within 0.2 dB and 70 dB signal-to-noise. The unit runs on 220 V at 50 to 60 Hz, draws no more than 30 W, has a 460 x 370 x 120 mm case (W x D x H) and a mass of 11 kg.

Engineering and use context

The circuit has three stages. The first two form the phono equaliser itself, built on 6SL7 and 6SN7 triodes with passive RC equalisation and no feedback, and they are direct coupled without a capacitor between them. The third stage is a 6N6P double triode working as a low output impedance buffer to drive the interconnect. The power supply uses a 6Ts5S rectifier valve with LC filtering, and heater voltage is regulated DC. Components are selected and paired between channels, and RIAA network parts are matched to 1 percent. The Excellent build adds foil coupling capacitors, Nichicon Muse electrolytics, Kiwame carbon resistors and gold-plated Neutrik RCA sockets.

Pairing

The front carries a POWER button, an LP/CD selector and the illuminated logo. On the back are the MM and MC inputs, a CD input and a line output to a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. The CD input accepts a CD or DVD player or a DAC, sending digital sources through the valve stages.

Alternatives

The Art Audio Lab p235 EX is the company's updated version of its p135 EX phono stage, listed at 79,900 roubles.