Фонокорректоры — Aries Cerat Talos Sig

The Talos Sig, listed by Aries Cerat as the Talos Signature Phono System, is a tube phono preamplifier that sits between the Talos Reference MKII and the Talos Limited Edition in the Talos range. It borrows technology from the Limited Edition model together with improved sections of the smaller Reference, and uses proprietary tube circuits, transformer coupling throughout and several tube-rectified ultra-low-noise supplies. The UK list price is GBP 47,450.

Key specs that matter

Two floating RCA or XLR differential inputs offer 64 dB of gain from the tube stages, and a third input passes through a step-up transformer that adds 12 to 26 dB, built to suit the owner's cartridge. Total gain therefore reaches 76 to 90 dB. The maximum signal-to-noise figure is 106 dB, with a noise floor below 80 dB. RIAA accuracy is within 0.2 dB, and maximum output is 20 V RMS into 200 ohm. The tube complement is eight E280F and four 6D22S. The two chassis together measure 540 mm wide, 430 mm deep and 165 mm high, and the system weighs 100 kg.

Engineering and use context

At the front sits a proprietary differential tube circuit taken from the circuit of the Limited Edition phono stage. RIAA equalisation is performed by Double-T LCR filters that present a constant low impedance, and separate single-ended amplifiers drive the following stages. The power supply for the input stage is rectified by a pair of high-current 6D22S damper diodes and filtered four times with chokes. A second pair of 6D22S feeds the remaining stages, each of which is double filtered by chokes and fast high-current capacitors, with 10 chokes in all combined with low-ESR capacitors. There are six independent ultra-low-noise rails, and tube heaters run on DC cleaned by a five-fold Pi filter. The unit carries no internal loading presets, because Aries Cerat considers that fixed presets would restrict loading choices. Instead, loading is set by external modules built on request for a given cartridge collection, and these work on both the direct and step-up transformer inputs.

Pairing

The step-up transformer is wound to order for the owner's cartridge, and the loading modules are made for the cartridges the owner lists. Outputs connect to a line preamplifier, and Aries Cerat also offers the Kassandra converters and the Exsequor and Ianus power amplifiers for a system built from one brand.

Alternatives

The Aries Cerat Talos Reference MKII is the smaller phono stage in the same range, with E280F tubes in a balanced input stage, transformer-coupled LRC equalisation and a separate supply chassis.