REGA Fono MC Phono Stage

The Fono MC is an exceptionally high quality MC phono stage designed to maximise the potential of any MC cartridge. Although specifically to compliment the latest Rega range of  moving coils you will find full adjustability for loading is available via dip switches conveniently placed on the rear panel with two different gain settings located on the back panel making the Fono MC compatible with most low output MC cartridges.

The Fono MC has been designed to be effective, easy to use, and above all, to reproduce music. The Fono MC uses the Linear Systems low noise LSK389 FET in an all discrete input stage where low noise and linearity are vitally important to get the best from an MC cartridge. Because of the high input impedance of FET, the loading effects of the amplifier circuit are minuscule and do not affect the performance of the cartridge.

A MUSE operational amplifier is used in the RIAA equalization amplifier. Polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and in the RIAA equalization circuits. There is selectable input loading for both resistance and capacitance along with two different gain settings located on the back panel making the Fono MC compatible with most low output MC cartridges.

The aesthetic design of the Fono MC was as important as the quality of its electrical capabilities, so it benefits from the same aluminium case as the Rega TTPSU and Fono MM amplifier, giving it a design which offers a familiar feel and moreover brings it in line with its illustrious bigger brothers. The new Fono MC circuit resulted from the design work carried out on the Aria phono amplifier.

The Fono disk stage is designed to amplify the signal from a moving coil cartridge to a level which can feed into a 200mV line level input on a standard hi-fi amplifier.

Specifications

Output impedance = 200Ω
Recommended minimum output load resistance = 5K
Frequency response (50KΩ output load) = 13Hz (-3dB) to 100KHz (-0.3dB)
RIAA accuracy (50KΩ output load) = Better than +/-0.2dB 100Hz to 100KHz
Power requirements = 24V AC at 150mA maximum. Only to be used with Rega PS1.

Input sensitivity (for 200mV output)
4 off = 133uV
4 on = 67uV

Input loading resistance
1 and 2 off = 400Ω
1 on = 100Ω
2 on = 150Ω
1 and 2 on = 70Ω

Input loading capacitance
3 off = 1000pF
3 on = 4300pF
Gain (at 1KHz)
4 off = 63.5dB
4 on = 69.5dB

Maximum input level (at 1KHz)
4 off = 6.7mV
4 on = 3.4mV

Load settings for adjustable MC stages

Impedance -100ohm
Capacitance - 1000pF
Gain setting - High (\'On\' position for Rega phono stages)

Fono MC dip switches settings (factory set at Rega for Rega MC models).

Thorens MM  002 moving-magnet phono preamplifier.

Specifications:

• Mode: Moving Magnet (MM)
• Gain at 1 kHz: 40 dB
• Cartridge matching (input impedance): 47 kOhms + 220 pF fixed
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz (-3 dB)
• RIAA curve accuracy: ±0.3 dB max.
• THD+N: 86 dB
• Crosstalk: ≧40 dB
• Input sensitivity: 3.14 mVrms for -10 dBV output (316 mVrms)
• Max. output voltage: 498 mVrms at 5 mVrms input (1 kHz)
• Output impedance: 47 Ohms
• Input connections: 1 pair of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Output connections: 1 pair of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Power supply: 24 V DC / 630 mA
• Power consumption: 3.3 W / 15 mA
• Weight: 292 g (not including power supply)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 100 x 45 x 93 mm

THORENS MM-FLEX

The Thorens MM-Flex phono preamp is a high-quality preamplifier with portability in mind. Attach it to any surface with the included velcro adhesive—and better yet, due to its size you can take it with you! The Thorens MM-Flex is ideal for the on the go audiofile who may find themselves in a warehouse, surrounded by a particularly large sound system...for whatever reason.

• Compact MM phono preamplifier
• Attaches to rear of turntable with integrated Velcro strip
• Can be easily removed and re-fitted without irreversible modification

Both Microsoft® Windows® and Apple® Mac OS® come with very simple audio recording software pre-installed. However, to take full advantage of the high-resolution recording facilities offered by the MM 008 ADC, we recommend recording software that can record at 24 bits/96 kHz and save lossless high-resolution audio files such as FLAC or Apple® Lossless. 

Specs:

• Mode: MM/MC (switchable)
• Gain at 1 kHz: 40 dB (MM)/60 dB (MC)
• Input impedance (MM): 47 kΩ + 220 pF fixed
• Input impedance (MC): 47 kΩ + 1 nF (modifiable with external load plugs)
• Frequency response (flat): 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.3 dB
• Frequency response (-3 dB): 10 Hz - 50 kHz
• RIAA curve accuracy: ±0.3 dB
• THD+N: 72 dB (MC)
• Crosstalk: ≧40 dB
• Input sensitivity (MM): 3.29 mVrms for -10 dBV output (316 mVrms)
• Input sensitivity (MC): 0.325 mVrms for -10 dBV output (316 mVrms)
• Max. output voltage: 482 mVrms at 5 mVrms input (1 kHz)
• Output impedance: 47 Ω
• Input connections: 3 pairs of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Output connections: 1 pair of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Power supply: 24 V DC
• Power consumption: 3.4 W/15 mA
• Weight: 504 g (not including power supply)
• Dimensions:  (W x H x D): 150 x 50 x 117 mm

WITH INTEGRATED ANALOGUE-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER

Both Microsoft® Windows® and Apple® Mac OS® come with very simple audio recording software pre-installed. However, to take full advantage of the high-resolution recording facilities offered by the MM 008 ADC, we recommend recording software that can record at 24 bits/96 kHz and save lossless high-resolution audio files such as FLAC or Apple® Lossless.

Thorens turntables can be considered state-of-the-art in hi-fi technology as they would extract even the most minute details from your precious vinyl records. The signals generated by the pickup cartridges are however very small and therefore must be amplified to a much higher level. Regrettably, most of today’s amplifiers are no longer equipped with a dedicated phono stage. This unfortunate situation was a good reason for Thorens to develop the TEP 302, a complete phono preamplifier including RIAA equalization, which was to complement the outstanding playback performance of our turntables.

The TEP 302 is a pure-bred Class-A amplifier which employs selected, very special low-noise operational amplifiers throughout. The circuitry has been optimized "by ear” after several extended listening sessions. Of course, the TEP 302 also features a 15-Hz subsonic filter in order to protect the woofers from dangerous excursions when a warped record is played. More details, more dynamics.

• Mode: MM/MC (switchable)
• Gain at 1 kHz: 40 dB (MM)/60 dB (MC)
• Input impedance (MM): 47 kΩ + 220 pF fixed
• Input impedance (MC): 47 kΩ + 1 nF (modifiable with external load plugs)
• Frequency response (flat): 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0.3 dB
• Frequency response (-3 dB): 10 Hz - 50 kHz
• RIAA curve accuracy: ±0.3 dB
• THD+N: 72 dB (MC)
• Crosstalk: ≧40 dB
• Input sensitivity (MM): 3.29 mVrms for -10 dBV output (316 mVrms)
• Input sensitivity (MC): 0.325 mVrms for -10 dBV output (316 mVrms)
• Max. output voltage: 482 mVrms at 5 mVrms input (1 kHz)
• Output impedance: 47 Ω
• Input connections: 3 pairs of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Output connections: 1 pair of RCA sockets (left/right)
• Power supply: 24 V DC
• Power consumption: 3.5 W/15 mA
• Weight: 511 g (not including power supply)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 150 x 50 x 117 mm
• A/D converter: Tenor TE7022L 24Bit Delta Sigma
• Sampling rates: 8,16, 32, 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
• USB output: USB 2.0, fully backward-compatible with USB 1.1
• Operating systems: Windows® 8, Windows® 7, Vista, XP, Mac OS®