SPL Phonos User manual

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
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VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON
Phonos – User manual
RIAA Phono Preamplier

2
Welcome
Welcome
and thank you for choosing the Phonos.
Phonos is a preamplifier for record players using either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges. The
equalization curve is according to RIAA and suitable for all vinyl records since .
With up to . dB gain for MC cartridges and  dB gain for MM cartridges Phonos belongs to the most powerful
phono preamplifiers.
VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This
makes the Phonos an outstandig device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and maximum headroom
delivering an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity, transparancy and realness.
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Norm OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio R ail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIA A Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON
Made in Germany
Phonos
Serial
Number
Fuses:
230 V: T 500 m A L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L25 0V
~115V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max . 30 W
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fus e Holder
2. Excha nge Fuses
3. Flip Ove r
4. Reinst all OUTPUT
L L
RR
AUDIO GND RECORD PLAYER
RISK OF ELEC TRIC SHO CK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUEDE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUV RIR
ATTENTION

Content
Welcome 
Getting Started 
Front View 
Rear View 
VOLTAiR – V Rail Technology 
Comparisons 
Cartriges 
Capacity (MM) 
Impedance (MC) 
Subsonic filter 
Output level 
Specifications 
Inputs and Outputs 
Filter 
Moving Magnet (MM) Preamplifier 
Moving Coil (MC) Preamplifier 
Operating Voltage 
Internal Operating Voltage 
Power Supply 
Dimensions and Weight 
Dimensions (incl. feet) 
Weight 
Important Notes 
Declaration of CE Conformity 

4
Getting Started
Getting Started
Read thoroughly and follow the instructions as well as the security advices of the Quickstart
which is enclosed in the scope of delivery! You can also download the Quickstart here.
By pressing the -Button you get to the table of contents.
By pressing the -Button you get to the front view of the unit.
By pressing the -Button you get to the rear view of the unit.
By pressing the -Button you get to the previous content.

5
Front View
Front View
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-10
Norm OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON
Standby Switch
1
Power LED
7

6
Rear View
Rear View
Made in Germany
Phonos
Serial
Number
Fuses:
230 V: T 500 m A L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L 250V
~115 V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over
4. Reinstall OUTPUT
L L
RR
AUDIO GND RECORD PLAYER
RISK OF E LECTRI C SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
Record Player Input
8
Mains Switch 12
Mains Voltage 11 Record Player Ground
9
Audio Output
10

7
VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
VOLTAiR – V Rail Technology
VOLTAiR is the synonym for our V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. The audio signals are
processed with an unequalled +/-V DC, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and
four-times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.
VOLTAiR Technology reaches outstanding technical and sonic performances. Technically especially in terms of
dynamic range and headroom and sonically especially in reproducing the finest details and delivering a totally
relaxed sounding audio experience. Music sounds absolutely natural.

8
VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
Comparisons
These diagrams show how our VOLTAiR Technology compares to other circuits.
The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher
the operating level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential acoustic
and musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also has a positive impact on the
dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-noise ratio.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Volt
30 V 36 V
120 V
+ / -  Volt + / -  Volt + / - Volt
Operating Voltage
120
125
130
135
140
145
dBu
124,2
129,1
141,4
OPA @ V OPA @ V SPL-OP@ V
Max. Audio Level

9
VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential increases. A dB increase corre-
sponds to doubling the acoustic power, +dB correspond to twice the sound pressure level, and +dB corre-
spond to twice the perceived loudness.
When it comes to volume, the VOLTAiR Technology exhibits a performance, in regard to maximum level and dynamic
range, that is twice that of common components and circuits given that its values are approximately dB higher.
THD measurements show a difference of more than dB compared to the OPA at V — in terms of sound pres-
sure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than %. The operating level most commonly used for
audio equipment is +/-  volts.
Dynamic Range
OPA @ V OPA @ V SPL- O P@ V
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
dBu
21,5 22,5
33,2
TL @ V OPA @ V SPL- OP@ V
-115
-113
-111
-109
-107
-105
dBu
-106
-111,7
-114,2
THD&N

10
Cartriges
Cartriges
Phonos is a preamplifier for record players using either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges.
• Choose the right setting regarding your cartridge with the Cartridge Switch ().
Capacity (MM)
Choose the right setting regarding the capacity of your MM cartridge with the CAPACITANCE
switch ().
If you do not know the right setting for your record player, start with capacity = OFF. If you
increase the value you will receive a higher tone.
Impedance (MC)
Choose the impedance for your MC cartridge with the IMPEDANCE switch ().
If you do not know the right setting for your record player, start with an impedance of
ohms. If you increase the value you will receive a higher tone.
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-10
Norm OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON
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-10
Norm OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON
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Norm OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON

11
Subsonic lter
Subsonic lter
Thanks to the Subsonic filter you can eliminate the rumble. The Subsonic filter starts at Hz with an edge steep-
ness of -dB per octave.
• Activate the Subsonic filter with the SUBSONIC switch ().
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Norm
OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN
SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON

12
Output level
Output level
With the GAIN switch () you calibrate the amplification of the Phonos. If the Cartridge switch is set to MM it is
amplified by  dB. If it is set to MC it is amplified by  dB.
• Set the GAIN switch to - to attenuate the amplification by  dB
(amplification MM= dB, MC = dB).
• Set the GAIN switch to + to increase the amplification by  dB
(amplification MM=dB, MC = .dB).
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Norm
OnOff
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
GAIN
SUBSONIC
RIAA Phono Preamplifier
Phonos
MM MC
ON

13
Specications
Specications
Inputs and Outputs
• RCA, unbalanced, gold-plated
• Input impedance (MM):  kohms
• Input impedance (MC): switchable
• Output impedance: <  ohms
• Crosstalk: - dB (at  kHz)
Filter
• RIAA equalizer (after Douglas Self)
Moving Magnet (MM) Preamplier
• Amplification:  dB (Norm),  dB (- dB),  dB (+ dB)
• Switchable capacitance: Off,  pF,  pF and  pF
• Noise (A-weighted): -. dB

14
Specications
Moving Coil (MC) Preamplier
• Amplification:  dB (Norm),  dB (- dB), . dB (+ dB)
• Switchable impedances:  /  /  ohms; . / . /  kohms
• Noise (A-weighted): -. dB
Internal Operating Voltage
• Analog: +/-  V
Power Supply
• Mains voltage (switchable):  V AC / Hz or  V AC / Hz
• Power consumption: max.  VA
• Fuses:  V: T mA;  V: T A
• Standby power consumption: . W

15
Specications
Dimensions (incl. feet)
• (WxHxD) . x . x . in ( x x  mm)
Weight
• . lbs (. kg), unit only
• . lbs (. kg), shipping

16
Important Notes
Important Notes
Version . –  /
Developer: Bastian Neu
This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for specific characteristics or successful
results. Unless stated otherwise, everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the time of delivery of
the product by SPL electronics GmbH. The design and circuitry are under continuous development and improve-
ment. Technical specifications are subject to change.
©  SPL electronics GmbH. This document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in any
manner, in part or fully, without prior authorization by SPL. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to
improve its products and reserves the right to modify the product described in this manual at any time without
prior notice. SPL and the SPL Logo are registered trademarks of SPL electronics GmbH. All company names and
product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Declaration of CE Conformity
The construction of this unit is in compliance with the standards and regulations of the European Com-
munity.