Фонокорректоры — Vincent PHO-200

The Vincent PHO-200 is a small transistor-based phono preamp from the powerLine range of the German brand. It performs RIAA equalisation for a turntable so that the record player can be connected to an ordinary line input of an amplifier lacking a dedicated phono socket. Cartridges of the moving-magnet and moving-coil types can both be used, and the circuit is powered by an external supply to keep hum away from the sensitive signal. Two colours are listed, silver and black.

Key specs that matter

RIAA frequency response covers 10 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB and extends from 10 Hz to 50 kHz within 2 dB. Input sensitivity is 58 mV in MM mode and 6.8 mV for MC. In MM operation the input presents 47 kOhm to the cartridge, while the MC setting uses 100 ohm. Amplification in MM mode is 40 dB. Noise is rated at better than 84 dB for MM and above 71 dB for MC, and distortion is given as below 0.02 percent. The unit weighs 1 kg.

Engineering and use context

Connections are kept simple, with one stereo RCA input from the turntable and one stereo RCA output to the amplifier, plus a GND clamp that takes the grounding lead most record players carry. Selecting the cartridge type is done with a set of DIL switches located on the bottom panel - all switches go to the right for moving-magnet cartridges and to the left for moving-coil. Vincent notes that high-output MC cartridges, defined in the manual as those above 1.5 mV nominal output, are run on the MM setting, while low-output MC types use the MC position and allow no further loading adjustment. For the MM setting, the manual describes two options that differ in the electrical capacitance of the input. A mains switch on the side panel separates the preamplifier completely from the supply, as there is no standby mode, and a power LED on the front confirms operation. The mains adaptor delivered with the unit plugs into a socket on the rear panel, and the box contains only the preamplifier, this power supply and the manual.

Pairing

Its RCA output is meant for a line-level connection of an integrated amp, preamp or receiver, such as one labelled CD, Tuner or AUX, and Vincent rules out feeding an input marked Phono. A Vincent integrated amplifier without phono input, such as the SV-500, fits this role. Record players with a crystal pickup or a built-in phono preamplifier do not need the PHO-200 and connect to the line input directly.

Alternatives

Vincent's powerLine range also includes the PHO-300 phono preamplifier.