Sentec EQ11 phono preamplifier Measurements

Sidebar 2: Measurements

I measured the Sentec EQ11 using my top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com, and the January 2008 "As We See It."). With all settings of its front-panel knob, the EQ11 preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting). Its input impedance was 45k ohms at low and middle frequencies, dropping to 33k ohms at the top of the audioband. The treble and midrange output impedances were high, at 2k ohms, rising to 5k ohms in the low bass.

As well as RIAA phono equalization, labeled "RIAA, New Ortho" on the Sentec's front panel, the EQ11 offers five other EQ curves: "NARTB, NAB old," "78, Decca ffrr 78," "CCIR, Decca LP ffrr," "Columbia LP," and "AES, Philips, Capitol." The voltage gain at 1kHz varied slightly with the EQ chosen, from 29.5dB at the "NARTB" and "Columbia LP" settings to 30.6dB at the "78, Decca ffrr 78" and "CCIR, Decca LP ffrr" settings. The right-channel gain was between 0.5 and 1dB lower than the left, as can be seen in fig.1, which plots the Sentec's response with RIAA correction. The shapes of the two channels' responses closely match, and feature a small, +0.7dB plateau in the treble and the IEC low-frequency rolloff, which reaches –3dB at 10Hz.

1014Sentecfig1.jpg

Fig.1 Sentec EQ11, response with RIAA correction (left channel blue, right red) (0.25dB/vertical div.).

Fig.2 shows the response of the six EQ settings with an RIAA-equalized test signal. The green trace shows the effect of the "Columbia LP" setting compared with RIAA. Though the low frequencies roll off more quickly with Columbia than with RIAA, there is a slight boost in the midrange and a shelved-down treble that reaches –2dB at 20kHz. This change in tonal balance nicely correlates with what HR heard with his Dinu Lipatti LP.

1014Sentecfig2.jpg

Fig.2 Sentec EQ11, left-channel response with these corrections: NARTB, NAB old (blue); 78, Decca ffrr 78 (red); CCIR, Decca LP ffrr (magenta); RIAA, New Ortho (gray); Columbia LP (green); AES, Philips, Capitol (cyan) (2dB/vertical div.).

With its relatively low voltage gain, the Sentec EQ11 is a quiet preamp. Fig.3 shows the low-frequency spectrum of its background noise with the EQ11 set to RIAA: No AC-supply–related spuriae are visible, though a rise in the noise floor can be seen below 20Hz, due to what's called "flicker noise." The unweighted, wideband signal/noise ratio was affected by this noise, measuring 59.9dB ref. 1kHz at 5mV in both channels with the inputs shorted. When A-weighted, this ratio improved to 72.6dB.

1014Sentecfig3.jpg

Fig.3 Sentec EQ11, background noise spectrum, DC–10kHz, ref. 1kHz, 5mV input into 100k ohms (linear frequency scale).

Again related to the low gain, overload margins were excellent. With RIAA equalization, the THD+noise percentage in the EQ11's output didn't reach 1% until a 1kHz input signal reached 411mV, which is equivalent to a margin ref. 5mV of 38.3dB! The margin at 20Hz was the same, and even at 20kHz, it was still a high 24dB. Harmonic distortion was fairly low, and almost entirely second harmonic in nature (fig.4). Tested with an equal mix of 19 and 20kHz tones at a level equivalent to 1kHz at 5mV and with the EQ11 set to RIAA EQ (fig.5), the intermodulation distortion was higher than I was expecting from the EQ11's harmonic-distortion behavior, with the 1kHz difference product lying at –40dB (1%).

1014Sentecfig4.jpg

Fig.4 Sentec EQ11, spectrum of 1kHz sinewave, DC–10kHz, at 318mV (10mV input) into 100k ohms (linear frequency scale).

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Fig.5 Sentec EQ11, HF intermodulation spectrum, DC–30kHz, 19+20kHz at 318mV peak into 100k ohms (linear frequency scale; left channel blue, right red).

Despite its modest appearance and wall-wart power supply, Sentec's EQ11 offers respectable measured performance to accompany its flexibility of equalization.—John Atkinson

COMPANY INFO
Sentec
US distributor: Tone Imports
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
doak's picture

Or is he FOS?

If not someone is.

toon's picture

The article states that there were over 100 variations. What is to say that those chosen by Sentec are the correct ones? What happens if I change tubes? To further extend the comment by doak I think more than one person is FOS. Another very small niche product for the gullible.Modest appearance and wall-wart power supply for $2500? What a total POS.

jokeka's picture

So, you've listened to it? Or does its "modest appearance" preclude that and reveal what you actually care about?

Osgood Crinkly III's picture

Looks like a Heathkit.

Rick Tomaszewicz's picture

would it be a conflict of interest for you to enter a comment on this article?

toon's picture

I care about music. But I also believe we should receive good design for a very niche component that costs 2500 with a wallwart( I've built better regulated power supplies for only $60 -and that's in Canadian currency!). Would you consider a BMW M5 worth the money if it still performed as well but had an exterior that was designed by a poor designer with little imagination and was built like a box? Really, there are many priorities for the audiophile, and music lover. Is it a sin to ask for quality in the packaging as well as what's inside.Especially at the price point of the Entec?

xyzip's picture

Funny thing about the appearance/ styling of this product (since that seems to be the drift of the comments)-- when I saw the photo here I thought, immediately, wow, what a brilliant match for the gray Garrard 301 schedule one that I use!

Silvery hammerite enamel, tubes & bakelite knobs, even the plain-font lab-style black enamel faceplate badges are an exacting equivalent for the styling-- call it Coldwar Chic-- of the the Garrard 301.

{It may be surprising to think this, but penetrating blue leds + Cnc lasercut anodized AL slabs--- don't look too simpatico, next to a Garrard, an EMT, a Neumann deck.}

As to the power supply, generally the wallwart thing at this price level is a placeholder sort of thing, and the manufacturer offers another, more substantial & higher capacity outboard SE external supply as an option. In an enclosure matching the signalpath unit. So that may happen. Or not, who knows. All in all, I'd rather have a fat *external* wallwart, than a troublesome *internal* psu that is wedged-in to keep the product small.

I have nothing to do with this product, but it's worth stating some alternative viewpoints. And I would like to see a more elaborate followup to this.
J.D.

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