What's The Most Neglected Component in a

Phono System?

by James Leahy

For those of you who answered anything other than the humble Phono Stage sit down now! Those of you still unfamiliar with what we are discussing please read on....

The Phono Stage is the amplification required to step up the very low output levels produced by MM or MC cartridges to line level voltages (i.e. the 1 volt output levels of CD players, DVD players, tape decks etc.). This stage is often severely underestimated in the contribution it makes to producing a good sound.

The way in which your amplifier handles the extremely low signal levels (thousandths of a Volt) from the cartridge is critical - information is more easily lost or distorted at this stage than later on in the signal path. Information lost can never be regained and any distortions and colorations are amplified thousands of times. It is not difficult to appreciate why this area has so much potential for improvement and is often the weakest link in a system.

Yes folks how many of you have paid much attention to the quality of Phono Stage you are running with your analogue rig? More often than not it comes as no more than an after thought in a system's layout and a small one at that. MM or MC the differences are certainly there and in more ways than you might first think.

The Phono Stage can easily make or break a vinyl based system. The stage of Phono Pre-Amplification is absolutely crucial - more so than the pre-amp or amplifier stage. The reason for this importance is that the Phono Stage carries out up to a massive 95% of your total signal amplification from cartridge to loudspeakers!

One of the things that continually surprises me is how many people are using their cartridge / tonearm output directly into their integrated amplifier or pre-amp (with on board Phono Stage). This is almost guaranteed to vastly reduce the potential of the moving coil cartridge in comparison to what is achievable through a dedicated valve Phono Stage. Why is this? When one considers that 95% of the bass amplification for a moving coil cartridge occurs in the Phono Stage it is easy to understand why. For the midrange 80% of the signal amplification occurs in the Phono Stage.

The truth is that many integrated amplifiers use little more than a single chip costing all of $1 to carry out this critical function. It is no more than a token freebie so that people can hook up a cheap turntable. Even integrated amps with allegedly “good” Phono Stages still fall far short of the amazing stand alone versions that are available.

If you are using an internal Phono Stage I would suggest trying a stand alone device – you will be amazed at the difference. Having said this please be wary that not every stand alone model out there is a safe bet. Models that offer both moving magnet and moving coil facility at under $500.00 are often nothing short of disastrous and a complete waste of money in my view. If you are going to go above the Ortofon Rondo MC range into the Ortofon Kontrapunkt range the minimum standard for a Phono Stage you should be looking at is the ARC PH5. 

However, having said that the ARC PH5 will make the Rondo range really sing and lift the performance to super human levels. I would certainly rather have a Rondo Red with the ARC PH5 then an Ortofon Jubilee and the Musical Fidelity X-LSPv8. Both set-up's would cost roughly the same price.

Most of my customers on a budget don't want the Phono Stage to make any difference to the overall performance of the turntable and cartridge selection but unfortunately for them it does and it not only makes a difference but it's one of a major degree.

I don't make the rules, I only do my best to report the facts.