Фонокорректоры — TEAC PE-505

The PE-505 is a phono preamplifier from TEAC, the Japanese audio company, sized to match the half-width Reference 500 Series. TEAC describes it as a phono equalising amplifier with a dual monaural layout and fully balanced circuitry from input to output. Moving magnet and moving coil cartridges are both catered for, and TEAC USA sells it for USD 2,499.99 with a choice of black or silver fronts.

Key specs that matter

One RCA pair works with MM or MC cartridges, and one XLR pair is for balanced MC only. MM load is 47 kOhm with capacitance of 0, 100, 220 or 330 pF, while MC load resistance on either input is set to 10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470 or 1,000 ohm. Two gain modes sit 12 dB apart - low gives 34 dB for MM and 54 dB for MC, high gives 46 dB and 66 dB. Maximum input is 150 mV for MM and 16 mV for MC. Distortion is 0.002% on MM and 0.02% on MC, S/N ratio is 106 dB on RCA MM and 86 dB on XLR MC, and residual noise is 10, 65 and 85 microvolts for MM, RCA MC and XLR MC. RIAA deviation stays within 0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and channel separation is 90 dB or better. Outputs are RCA at 2 Vrms and 63 ohm and XLR at 4 Vrms and 126 ohm. The unit draws 14 W, measures 290 x 84.5 x 252.5 mm and weighs 4.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

The head amplifier, the equalising stage and the output buffer all run in balanced form, and a signal arriving on the RCA input is converted to differential mode just after the terminals. The equaliser works on the differential cartridge output, cross-coupling hot and cold legs so that errors between them cancel. A newly developed NF-type circuit sets the RIAA curve, and alongside it are equalisation curves for pre-1955 mono records from DECCA and COLUMBIA. A MEASURE key shows on the front meter the total load resistance, cable resistance included, which helps pick a matching MC setting. The meter also indicates subsonic content below 6 Hz, and a 17 Hz filter at 24 dB per octave removes it. A DEMAG position demagnetises the iron cores of MC cartridges and step-up transformers while a record plays for about 30 seconds.

Pairing

Balanced tonearm cabling from an MC cartridge suits the XLR input, and the XLR output fits a preamplifier or integrated amplifier with balanced line inputs. High gain mode helps low output MC designs, while low gain leaves headroom for hotter MM cartridges and the capacitance steps adjust MM loading.

Alternatives

TEAC has no other phono preamplifier, so the PE-505 has no direct alternative within the brand.