Фонокорректоры — Audio Note R Zero/II

The R Zero/II is the standalone valve phono stage of the Audio Note (UK) Zero range, the entry level of the company's numbered hierarchy. It uses the smaller Audio Note chassis, about two thirds of the standard width, and shares the footprint of the other Zero components, so it stacks with the CD Zero player and the I Zero integrated amplifier. In one European market the three were priced at about EUR 1,640 for the R Zero/II, EUR 2,440 for the CD Zero and EUR 2,430 for the I Zero. The UK price was GBP 1,295 in mid-2019, and the current UK price is GBP 1,650 with a build time of around eight weeks.

Key specs that matter

Amplification comes from two 6112WA subminiature dual triodes, and the stage handles moving magnet cartridges only. Gain is roughly 100 times, enough to lift a typical 5 mV cartridge output to about 0.5 V at line level. The case measures 96 mm high, 300 mm wide and 270 mm deep and weighs 3 kg. It runs on 100 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz and draws up to 48 W. Fascia choices are anodised aluminium, black acrylic or an all-white finish.

Engineering and use context

The two 6112WA triodes are hard-wired into the circuit instead of sitting in sockets, so replacement is done by Audio Note. Parts include Beyschlag resistors and Audio Note tin foil in oil capacitors. The designer explained that the unit was made as a pure moving magnet amplifier because it is expected to be used with cartridges such as those in Audio Note's IQ range. There are no gain or capacitance settings, no rumble filter and no alternative equalisation curves, so the RIAA curve is the only one on offer. The rear panel carries phono sockets, an IEC mains inlet, a ground post and the power switch, which sits at the back. The warranty in that European market runs for two years. Audio Note arranges its catalogue so that technology and component quality rise with each level above Zero, and the R Zero/II is positioned as a starting point into that range.

Pairing

Moving coil cartridges need a step-up transformer, which is Audio Note's preferred option, or a head amplifier ahead of the input. The output goes to any line input of a valve or solid-state amplifier, and the matching Zero chassis size suits a compact system built from the brand's entry-level components.

Alternatives

The Audio Note M5 RIAA is a two-chassis phono stage with three 5670 valves and dual valve-rectified supplies built to Level 3 criteria.