Фонокорректоры — Karan Acoustics PHONOb

The PHONOb is the single-chassis phono stage of the Karan Acoustics Master Collection, the range developed by the Serbian company founded by Milan Karan in 1986, and it was the last model added to that series. It uses a circuit conceptually identical to the two-box PHONOa and keeps the same range of gain, impedance and capacitance adjustment, and the Master Collection replaced all earlier Karan phono stages. The UK price was GBP 24,995.

Key specs that matter

Inputs comprise one XLR connection plus an RCA pair, with outputs on XLR and RCA pairs too, and every connection can be set up independently. Gain runs from 48 dB to 71 dB, plus one user-definable setting, and leaves the factory at 67 dB, meant for moving-coil cartridges of 0.2 to 0.35 mV. Resistive loading spans 450 ohm to 47 kohm with two user-definable values and a factory setting of 660 ohm, while capacitive loading covers 50 pF to 400 pF. Five equalisation curves are provided - RIAA, EMI, Decca, Columbia and Teldec. Output impedance is 90 ohm. Karan quotes a response flat within 0 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and within 3 dB from 1.5 Hz to 3 MHz, and both THD and IMD are given as 0.003 percent. The chassis measures 500 x 110 x 390 mm and weighs 22 kg.

Engineering and use context

This is a transistor design, laid out as a true differential, balanced dual-mono circuit. Internal wiring comes from Cardas Audio, the chassis stands on Critical Mass Systems feet, and the sockets are WBT for RCA and Neutrik for XLR. An absolute phase switch selects 0 or 180 degrees, and the outputs can be muted. Operation runs through a front display and two large controllers. Because loading and gain are set per input, a moving-coil arm and a second arm with a moving-magnet cartridge can both stay connected, each with its own settings recalled when selected. The two user-definable gain and load positions allow a value outside the preset steps for an unusual cartridge. The additional curves beyond RIAA cover older mono and stereo pressings cut to other equalisation standards.

Pairing

The balanced outputs suit a balanced line stage, such as a unit from the same Master Collection, and the unbalanced outputs connect to line stages and integrated amplifiers fitted only with RCA.

Alternatives

The Karan Acoustics PHONOa is the two-chassis phono stage at the top of the Master Collection, built around the same audio circuit and adjustment range.