Фонокорректоры — Chord SYMPHONIC

The SYMPHONIC is an MC-only phono preamplifier built in Kent by the British firm Chord Electronics, and the company calls it the top MC phono stage of its Choral range, the product family that also includes the DAVE converter and preamplifier. It has no moving magnet input. Current prices are GBP 3,495 in the UK and USD 5,590 in the US, with black and silver as the two casework colours.

Key specs that matter

Selectable gain runs from 40 dB up to 80 dB. Input loading is selectable between 4.7, 33 and 100 ohm. Connection is by a single XLR input or a single RCA input, with a matching XLR and RCA pair on the output side. Chord quotes RIAA accuracy of 0.1 dB, an equalisation range from 12 Hz to 25 kHz, a frequency response of 5 Hz to 40 kHz and input noise of 1.5 nV per root hertz. Output impedance is 520 ohm resistive, maximum output voltage is 10 V RMS, and the stage can drive a 600 ohm load at half of its output. The case is 333.5 mm wide, 59 mm high and 142 mm deep and weighs 6 kg. Power consumption is 20 W, and the mains input accepts anything from 50 V to 260 V AC at 50 or 60 Hz, adjusting itself automatically.

Engineering and use context

Chord fits the SYMPHONIC with its latest high-frequency switch-mode power supply technology, which the maker says is there to get the most out of vinyl playback. The combination of gain and loading options, along with the choice of balanced or unbalanced connection to the cartridge, gives what the maker describes as an almost unlimited number of set-ups. Every option is chosen with controls on the outside of the case, and LEDs light up to show the selection, so the lid never has to come off. A rumble filter removes low-frequency signals on both channels using a Rausch slope of 24 dB per octave below 50 Hz. The same switch also chooses between the plain RIAA curve, with the filter off, and the IEC variant with its extra bass roll-off, with the filter on. The warranty runs five years.

Pairing

The internal circuit is fully balanced, so a tonearm wired for balanced operation can run over XLR into the stage and on over XLR to a balanced preamplifier input, keeping the signal balanced along the whole path. Conventional arms with RCA plugs and amplifiers with only single-ended inputs use the RCA sockets on the input or output side instead.

Alternatives

The Chord HUEI is a smaller and lower-priced phono stage from the brand that also handles moving magnet cartridges.