Audio Analogue
AAPhono phono pre-amplifier
The new Pure AA Line products from Audio Analogue now includes a superb phono stage. Half width chassis very solidly built to a high standard of finish with a high quality component specification. Film and foil capacitors used for the RIAA equalisation. Very easy to install and use, simple in operation. Switchable from MM to MC; cartridge resistance and capacitance loading done by buttons discretely placed under the front panel makes it user friendly.
As expected from this renowned brand, a very analogue, organic sound. A natural tonal balance without the usual "hifi" artifice. A low noise floor aids over transparency to produce large sound pictures with good depth. The high quality component count and connectors used add to the overall quality of sound, the fast dynamics and the precise imaging. A very distinctive, contemporary styling adds to the pride of ownership.
AAPhono black or silver £1750
AAPhono
Exposure Electronics turntables
Exposure have been in the audio market since 1974. They have a reputation, built on years of experience, for reliability, a truth of sound in their reproduction, and value for money.
All of their products are designed, engineered, and manufactured, in the UK.
Exposure offers a mix of quality components from CD and Vinyl sources, through to amplification for which they are largely renown, including integrated and pre/power and monoblack options.
They have introduced the VXN Phono Stage for an exceptional price which enables those wishing to enjoy the pleasure of listening to LPs to purchase without having to make a large investment. We have chosen to place one as part of our demonstration portfolio.
VXN Phono Stage £1,900
Exposure VXN phono stage
Hegel Music Systems
Hegel V10
This is a new product from Hegel known for excellent amplifiers with built-in DACS, and a superb CD player. A new venture for them into the world of vinyl replay with phono stage based on a personal design from the owner/designer.
The V10 will cater for both MM and MC cartridges. The signal path is mostly in the balanced domain and only separated at the output stages. It has an unbalanced RCA output and a balanced XLR output. There are also two separate inputs for either MM or MC cartridges.
There is a series of micro dip switches for gain and loading for each channel. For MC cartridges, there are 100 ohm and 300 ohm setting with an internal variable adjustment for more fine tuning of loading for individual cartridge preferences. This variable loading setting is best done by the dealer.
The external power supply is a large than average wall-wart style with 2 separate 18V feeds to dual connector to the chassis.
The sound is as we have come to expect from Hegel one of elegance. Very natural tonal balance with no hint of brightness, overall an exceptionally smooth sound. The particularly low noise level provides very quiet backgrounds and a transparent sense of space and ambience facilitating a deep holographic presentation of the stage. Playing well recorded LPs shows greater insight into the performance, with the ability to separate images well and reveal nuances. This level of sound quality would normally be expected with a more expensive product.
Hegel V10 phono stage in black or white £1350
Hegel V10
Soulnote Audio
Soulnote is a high-end audio brand from CSR Inc., headquartered in Kanagawa, Japan. CSR was founded in 2004 by the former members of Marantz Japan bringing much in-house expertise.
Hideki Kato, Soulnote’s ‘Chief Sound Manager’ since 2016, has been working in high-end audio since late 1980s, having been deeply involved in the development of the legendary products from NEC and Philips.
During his long career, Kato has designed both digital and analogue equipment. One question kept bugging him, which was why something which measured better on the scope did not necessarily translate into improved audio quality. Indeed, he found the opposite to be true in some cases. During our evaluation of products over many years, when deciding on products for our curated portfolio, we have often found this to be the case. Technical specifications and scientific measurements tell you nothing about sound.
Kato believes in listening to develop, not in just electronic design on paper. This focus on listening moves from the circuit and parts, to the chassis development too, where Soulnote have some innovative technologies including floating housings. All driven by the sonic advantages they bring not just the aesthetics.
Kato is pushing for what he calls, ‘Dynamic Performance’. Through his listening tests, he has developed products with NOS (non-oversampling) mode for PCM Playback in their DACs, as well as Zero Negative Feedback designs in their amplifiers. Both of these technologies lower measured performance, but to the ear they produce much better dynamic performance and listening enjoyment. Soulnote believe that the timing of the impulse is all important, as is the recovery of the impulse. The use of their technologies enables the fastest signal possible, and thus the best timing.
Soulnote products
All of the Soulnote’s series of products share a very similar chassis design and size within each range for a very cohesive system look. All components are available in silver or back anodised aluminium.
Soulnote Series 1 components have a thick, milled front panels but conventional basic chassis to the top, bottom and rear. This now has styling to match the higher end units.
Soulnote Series 2 units are built from milled aluminium panels on all sides, as well an introduction to their floating chassis technology. This now is styled more closely to the 3 series components.
Soulnote Series 3 units are built with absolutely no compromise. As well as milled panels, it incorporates all of their floating-chassis technology: top and bottom panels, along with the input and output sockets.
The Soulnote E-2 v2 Phono Equaliser is a bit of a unicorn in the marketplace as it allows the use of, Moving Magnet, Moving Coil, as well as DS Audio Optical Cartridges to be used in one chassis. We are strong advocates for the DS Audio cartridge concept as can be seen elsewhere in the Vinyl Replay section.
The E2 v2 allows the use of multiple cartridges inputs such as those wishing to use MM and MC cartridges in separate tone arms on the same turntable.
The E2 v2 will also allow for switching between many different recording curves used by the various labels over the years - a list of which is provided with the unit – as well as the standard RIAA.
Our listening tests we found the E2 v2 to be a very rhythmic performer. It has a fluid delivery where timing and dynamics are excellent. Bass has good extension and high frequencies are delivered with a delicate airy nature. The overall tonal balance is neutral to very slightly warm in character. It generates a realistic, 3-dimansional sound-field.
This Phono equaliser is one of the best sounding phono stages on the market, is exceptionally versatile offering the vinyl enthusiast the ability to optimise the sound capabilities of any cartridge.
We add more detailed listening impressions in due course.
NEW Soulnote E-1 v2 Phono Equaliser (MM and MC cartridges) £3,800
Read more about the E-1 Phono Equaliser
NEW Soulnote E-2 v2 Phono Equalizer (MM, MC, and Optical cartridges) £6,900
NEW Soulnote E-1 v2 Phono Equaliser
NEW Soulnote E-2 v2 Phono Equalizer
Luxman phono stages
Luxman, the world-renowned Japanese manufacturer of high-end audio components, has always supported vinyl replay with two exceptionally well-designed phono amplifiers: the compact E-250 and the valve-based EQ-500.
E-250 Phono pre-amplifier
The E-250 is the latest compact phono pre- amplifier from LUXMAN, taking the best in design from its predecessor the E-200 that has been the reference for phono equaliser amplifiers since its release in 2008. A newly added function to the E-250 is the switching capability of load impedance and load capacity to optimise the cartridge characteristics. The E-250 allows the listener to adjust the fine settings for every performance, should this be required, depending on the age of performance and recording styles.
The E-250 features a step-up transformer with a 2 stage gain selection function with independent L/R super permalloy cores, which supports even low impedance MC cartridges. This creates a rich and expressive sound that is only possible by using step-up transformers.
The rear panel houses a load impedance selector (34k/47k/56k/100kΩ) and a load capacity selector (0p/100p/220p/320pF) to match the characteristics of the cartridge optimising its full potential.
The E-250 power supply circuit with its large capacitance and regulator circuits also features LUXMAN’s original round pattern board for the smooth transmission of the delicate signals.
There is an articulation function designed to demagnetize the cartridge and the MC transformer using the signal current of music. Magnetisation of the cartridge causes the sound quality to deteriorate. The articulation function helps to restore the cartridge to its original characteristics and maintain sound quality at a maximum level.
There are two unbalanced inputs and one unbalanced out.
E-250 Phono Pre-amplifier £2000
EQ-250
NEW E-07 Solid-state Reference Phono Pre-amplifier
The E-07 features a slim chassis design and matches the width of LUXMAN’s separate amplifiers and integrated amplifiers. It is now an all-solid-state design with no valves, which is a change from the legendary, discontinued, EQ-500, which the E-07 now replaces.
New MC step-up transformers
Luxman’s newly developed step-up transformer for MC cartridges utilises a super permalloy core which are very responsiveness to small signals. It comprises two independent units for each channel and Low/High gain, allowing for optimal transformer selection based on the loading impedance. Additionally, it supports balanced inputs that can receive differential signals from MC cartridges without loss of output energy. The input options include one balanced pair (XLR) and two unbalanced pairs (RCA) terminals, leading to a very versatile unit.
High quality build
On top of its superb construction quality, this phono-stage incorporates carefully selected components selected for supreme audio quality; including custom developed components, all of which have gone through extensive listening tests, resulting in a rich, dynamic sound. The chassis, a crucial element influencing sound quality and tonal characteristics, employs a loop-less chassis structure that isolates the multiple power supplies from the amplifier sections, while minimising the ground impedance generated by chassis currents. The bottom of the chassis consists of two ultra-thick copper plates (total 3.6mm thick) stacked together, enhancing ground mass and improving chassis rigidity. Additionally, density gradient cast iron insulator feet are installed to isolate the unit from unwanted vibrations during music playback.
All the cable used for all internal wiring, has precise, spiral-wrapped shielding and pure, copper cores to ensure natural signal transmission and clarity.
Large capacity power transformers with independent filtering
The E-07 is powered via a total of 3 individual power transformers, configured independently for left and right audio boards, as well as a separate transformer for the indicators and relay drive circuits. This design creates an ideal power environment where load fluctuations in each circuit, do not interfere with one another, and minimises cross-talk between channels. Additionally, it is equipped with excellent, independent power supply regulation that generates an extremely stable current supply, using Luxman’s power amplifier-grade, large-value capacitors (10,000μF x 5), maximising dynamics and micro-detail retrieval.
Large independent grounding terminals for each input
For the E-07, Luxman have introduced large, machined, grounding terminals. Each input terminal (Unbalanced 1, Unbalanced 2, and Balanced 1) is equipped with a dedicated phono ground terminal connected to that particular circuit's reference point, along with a traditional chassis grounding terminal. In all, a total of four grounding points. This ensures the secure grounding connections and minimises the risk of hum, noise and other interferences.
Listening tests
In our listening tests, we were very impressed with the E-07. As big fans of the, now discontinued, EQ-500, our expectations were high. This is now a fully solid-state design, with no tubes, but are pleased to report that the exceptional Luxman sound is very much delivered with this new model. It is world-class in its dimensionality, with real width and depth to the sound-stage. Tone is very natural as expected. Vocals are delivered with real finesse, with Billie Holliday sounding truly holographic and full of emotion on Songs For Distingué Lovers. Bass has speed, impact, texture and extension.
Further technical information about the Luxman E-07
- Further technical information:
- Both single ended and balanced inputs
- The E-07 features a six-position rotary load impedance selector on the front panel for MC cartridges (4.7/10/40/100/300/1kΩ) on the front panel.
- The rear panel has load impedance selector switches for MM cartridges (34/47/56/100kΩ) as well as load capacitance selector switches (0/100/220/320pF). This allows for more precise adjustments to fully maximize the sound quality across a wide range of phono cartridge types.
- Input sensitivity: MM 3.2mV, MC-H 0.37mV, MC-L 0.12mV.
- Gain: MM 38dB, MC-H 57dB, MC-L 66dB.
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.003%
- This unit features a high S/N ratio, MM/MC compatible RIAA curve.
- It features high-quality NF-type transistors, in a low-noise circuit design, achieved by paralleling four individual FETs in the primary stage.
- The E-07 features an articulator function that defeats magnetization of the cartridge and MC transformer using the signal current from the record being played.
- The low-cut switch suppresses woofer instability by cutting low frequency artefacts often caused by warped records.
- The Mono Mode switch offers convenient playback of mono records
- The phase inversion switch reverses the phase of the balanced outputs according to your connected next-stage equipment.
- To enhance transmission stability in circuits that handle low-level signals, Luxman have developed a petal-shaped grounding structure (PGS) that consolidates each circuit’s signal reference point into a single location. Ultra-thick steel plates connect the ground in a radial pattern to each section at an identical low impedance and uniform distance.
- LUXMAN’s unique PCB tracing with curves rather than right-angles, has been adopted to enable smooth current transmission, thoughtfully designed to facilitate the natural flow of music signals.
- Dimensions: 440(W) x 92(H) x 407(D) mm
- Weight: 13.2 kgs
NEW E-07 Reference Phono Pre-amplifier £5,500
NEW E-07
