Description
There are transistor phono preamps - clear, fast, analytical. There are tube preamps - warm, voluminous, with that special midrange that is difficult to describe in words, but easy to recognize by ear. The PHO-701 from Vincent chooses the third path: a hybrid circuit with a 12AU7 tube in the output stage and transistor amplification at the input. The result is a combination of tube sound character with transistor precision and low noise. This is the flagship of the tubeLine line of phono preamps and a logical choice for those who want the most from their vinyl.
The 12AU7 dual triode is one of the most respected tubes in audio engineering, proven by decades of use in the highest-level amplifier circuits. In the PHO-701, it is located in the output stage and is responsible for shaping the final sound character: a soft attack, natural decay, that volume and “air” in the sound stage that make listening to vinyl a special ritual. The tube is replaceable - and this is another opportunity to fine-tune the sound to your personal taste.
Like the PHO-500, the 701 is equipped with DIP switches for adjusting the connection parameters. The input impedance for MC is adjustable from 99 to 1000 ohms, the input capacitance for MM is from 15 to 350 pF. This means that the PHO-701 works equally well with a classic MM head and a demanding low output MC cartridge without any compromise. Gain: 40 dB for MM and 60 dB for MC, input sensitivity 58 mV (MM) and 6.8 mV (MC).
On the rear panel of the PHO-701 there is a USB output with support for resolutions up to 24 bit/192 kHz. This allows you to digitize your vinyl collection in High Resolution Audio format directly to your computer - without additional ADCs or external cards. For those who have been collecting records for years and want to preserve their sound in digital form, this is a significant practical advantage.
The PHO-701 belongs to the tubeLine series and is made in a two-case design: the phono equalizer and power supply are placed in separate metal cases measuring 130×95×225 mm, weighing 2.2 kg each. The front panels are designed in the same style of the line. Output impedance 250 Ohm, harmonic distortion level less than 0.05%, signal-to-noise ratio for MM over 81 dB, for MC over 69 dB. Available in black and silver.
