Phono Preamp Reviews

Sutherland PhD MC phono preamplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Battery-powered phono preamplifier. Inputs/outputs: 1 each, unbalanced (RCA). Input impedance: user-adjustable, 100 or 200 ohms, 1k or 47k ohms. THD+noise: <0.02%, A-weighted. Noise: <150µV, A-weighted, 47k ohms @ 50dB gain. Battery life: >800 hours actual listening time. Status indicators: Green (power on), Yellow (standby/signal monitor), Red (low batteries).
Dimensions: 17" (431mm) W by 4" (101mm) H by 14" (355mm) D. Weight: 38 lbs (17.3kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: None indicated.
Price: $3000. Approximate number of dealers: 1 (factory direct).
Manufacturer: Sutherland Engineering/Acoustic Sounds, PO Box 1905, 1500 S. Ninth Street, Salina, KS 67402-1905. Tel: (785) 825-8609. Fax: (785) 825-0156. Web: www.acousticsounds.com.

COMPANY INFO
Sutherland
PO Box 1905
1500 S. Ninth Street
Salina, KS 67402-1905
(785) 825-8609
www.acousticsounds.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 7, 2020 - 12:43pm

.... at all. Period. Instead, the power for the Ph.D. is 16 alkaline "D" cells." quoted Mike Fremer

AC-DC power supply + associated ground noise are very hard, if not impossible, to eliminate unless using battery supply. Such noises are a pain in MC/MM phonostages.

So battery is the ultimate free-power/ground-noise solution for MC/MM phono design.

Likewise, my MC head amp is also battery powered: +/- 6V = 8x D-size batteries. So why so low voltage? Because only discrete bipolar junction devices are used, no op-amp chips there.

Though the USD3,000 PHD phonostage used op-amp chips may sound superb to many, my ears just can't tolerate any chip sound, sorry. Maybe my ears are too spoiled by tubes used in all my phonotages & power amps.

Listening is believing

Jack L

X