Sutherland PhonoBlock User manual

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“
The performance of the PhonoBlock has
been refined and improved. Its classic,
understated design is still there —
even more so.
— RON SUTHERLAND

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The PhonoBlock was introduced almost 10 years ago. It performs
beautifully and continues to please music lovers all over
the world.
Then came an opportunity to make it even better.
The circuit remains essentially the same. Improvements focused on
providing a better environment to more fully realize its potential.

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In the left shielded compartment is one
channel of phono preamp circuitry.
The front 2/3 is power supply filtering.
Audio circuitry is integrated tightly into the
back third. Signal path is kept to an absolute
minimum.
In the right shielded compartment is a well
regulated and filtered DC power supply.
There are two isolated power suppliers for
the two gain stages.
Each PhonoBlock chassis is a self-standing single channel phono
preamp. Two are stacked to provide two channels for stereo.

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— THE REFINEMENT —

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The best environment for delicate analog
audio signals is LESS environment.
A compacted area for the circuit with minimal
distance between components is a big
advantage. The musical signal will have the
tightest, shortest and purest connection from
one component to the next.
Another performance necessity is a low
impedance, low noise power source for the
amplifiers. That would be a bank of multiple
film and electrolytic capacitors.
Ideally, they would be paralleled with very
wide copper traces and a very short distance
from the amplifiers.
The PhonoBlock refinements are derived from the Argentum design.
The much more expensive Argentum is an all–out, hand-wired, silver–
signal path version of the classic PhonoBlock. Turns out, the same
extremely disciplined short signal path layout could be used to refine
the classic PhonoBlock audio board.

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Fortunately, there is an alternative to
compromise. ONLY signal path components
are placed on the top side of the circuit
board. With no power supply capacitors on
the top side, and a disciplined layout strategy,
the signal path is optimally short and direct.
A large bank of power supply capacitors is
located on the bottom of the circuit board.
All of the copper area on the bottom side is
dedicated to forming a robust power plane
that is located right under the amplifiers.
The tighter signal path gives uncluttered
purity and the robust availability to power
gives effortless ease to dynamic expression.
These improvements bring the listener even
closer to the music.
That’s a challenge—how to have a compact layout for the signal
path and a large area for multiple power supply capacitors and
shortest distance.

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The refinement provides an even shorter,
simpler pathway. The individual resistors plug
directly into the audio circuit board. Sockets
are located even closer and take up even
less board area. The signal path is now even
shorter and more direct.
Add flexibility is another advantage. The
most popular gain and loading values are
included. However, the user is free to explore
those values. Some will want to experiment
with different resistor types and/or
manufacturers.
For those using outboard moving-coil step
up transformers, you will have the means
of choosing loading resistor values that
appropriately reflect through the transformer
to the cartridge.
The original PhonoBlock used small plug–in circuit boards for setting
gain and loading options. They were compact, and provided a short
signal path from the plug–in resistor board to the amplifier circuit.

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— LINKING INTO YOUR SYSTEM —

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Grounding Options
Sometimes ground loops can cause hum in a phono system. Breaking ground loops can be easy
or it can be a nightmarish frustration. In the difficult situations, grounding options can save
the day.
For product safety and electrostatic shielding purposes, the metal casework of the PhonoBlock
is electrically connected to the ground lead in the IEC power cord.
There are, however, options on the audio circuit’s ground
reference. Each mono chassis has
three grounding options. They are selectable by moving a
gold-plated shunt.
- Audio ground can float with respect to the chassis
- Audio ground can tie directly to the chassis
- Audio ground ‘softly’ connected to the chassis
through a 50 Ohm resistor

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The PhonoBlock is shipped configured for
a gain of 60 dB and a loading of 200 Ohms.
This will be a good starting point for most
systems. If you have different preferences,
please refer to the GAIN and LOADING pages.
The two PhonoBlocks are designed to be
stacked on top of each other. Plug your turn-
table into the IN jacks. The interconnecting
cables to your preamp go into the OUT jacks.
Ground wires go to the knurled screw.
The PhonoBlock is designed to be powered
on 24/7. The supplied AC power cords are just
to get you started. Later you will probably
want to experiment and invest in power cord
upgrades.
BE ABSOLUTELY, 100% CERTAIN THAT YOUR
PHONOBLOCK IS CONFIGURED TO YOUR
COUNTRY’S PROPER VOLTAGE.

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Load Settings
Cartridge loading is determined by the resis-
tor value installed in the LOADING resistor
socket.
Dale/Vishay RN65-style resistors are included
with the following values.
47.5k Ohms (4752)
1000 Ohms (1001)
475 Ohms (4750)
200 Ohms (2000)
100 Ohms (1000)
49.9 Ohms (49R9)
Your PhonoBlock is shipped with loading set
to 200 Ohms.
NOTE: If you are using a moving coil, step-up
transformer, check its owner’s manual to
determine correct loading resistor value.

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Gain Settings
Gain is determined by the resistor value
installed in the GAIN resistor socket.
Dale/Vishay RN65-style resistors are included
with the following values.
121 Ohms for 45 dB gain (1210)
75 Ohms for 50 dB gain (75R0)
40.2 Ohms for 55 dB gain (40R2)
20 Ohms for 60 dB gain (20R0)
15 Ohms for 63 dB gain (15R0)
10 Ohms for 67 dB gain (10R0)
Your PhonoBlock is shipped with gain set to
60 dB.

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Size
17” wide
17” deep
3.25” high
Shipping Box
24” wide
24” deep
11” high
Contact Info
Sutherland Engineering, Inc.
455 East 79th Terrace,
Kansas City, MO 64131
Weight
Net 21lbs each
Shipping 26lbs each
Power Requirements
110–120 VAC, 10 Watts — each
or
220–240 VAC, 10 Watts — each
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.sutherlandengineering.com

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—
Design Detail Reprinted from the
Original PhonoBlock Owner’s Manual
—

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Another path to the same destination.
Almost always, upscale designs are laden with features. More features are touted to represent ad-
vancement, product differentiation AND a rational for the upscale price. The PhonoBlocks don’t play
that game. Their elevated performance is achieved by NOT cluttering the signal path with deleterious
features. Complexity is not the path to purity. Elegant refinement is.
PURE MONO, the path to PURE STEREO
Why do stereo phono preamps prevail in the market? Even the most expensive ones on the planet still
merge the two channels into one box. Obviously, there must be some advantages in stereo construc-
tion. But are the advantages worth compromises in performance?
The advantages of a stereo phono preamp:
Conformity: A single chassis stereo phono preamp is the accepted stan-
dard. With the introduction of stereo records, came stereo preamplifiers.
That initial decision has rarely been questioned.
Convenience in configuration settings: It is more convenient to go to one
place to set configurations for both channels. The most convenient way is
having control knobs (or remote controls) that change both channels simul-
taneously.
Simplified installation: Only one box to install. Only one power cable to purchase
and accommodate.
Less expensive to implement: Sharing the same enclosure and power supply is cheaper than
each channel having its own enclosure and power supply.
Other simplifications: Only one box to build, test, warehouse, inventory and ship.
Less expensive, convenient, simplified, conformity. While these points may all be valid, they hardly
scream “best practice” when it comes to making the best sounding phono preamplifier.
The advantages of stereo packaging come at a cost. Start at the back panel; that is where the first
compromise appears. On most phono preamps you will conveniently find both input jacks grouped at
one end and both output jacks grouped together at the other end. That concession to convenience has
deleterious consequences. Both channels are now intertwined as the circuit layout progresses from the
pair of input jacks to the pair of output jacks. There is going to be cross coupling of the two channels.
Signals from one channel will spill into the other channel. Channel separation and the spatial/dimen-
sional clues will be blurred.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
There is another signal degrading consequence of conventional stereo packaging. The two channels
are subjected to different signal paths. Even though the circuits are identical, the layouts of individual
electronic components are not. To convey all the subtle stereo information, each channel must be ab-
solutely identical – to the most minute detail.
Then there is the issue of sharing the same power supply with both channels. Obviously another
opportunity for cross coupling and channel interactions.
THE SIMPLE SOLUTION – Science Serving Art…
After such a lengthy disparagement of stereo phono preamps, let’s get positive and look at an alterna-
tive. The limitations of stereo phono preamps are easily fixed.
Each PhonoBlock is purely and simply a self-contained monophonic phono preamp. Each chassis
has its own power supply in the right shielded compartment. In the left shielded compartment is one
channel of audio circuitry.
Stack up two PhonoBlocks and you have the ultimate instrument for enjoy-
ing stereophonic records.
SO….?
OK, this is all well and good but what if I’m not an audio engineer and simply
want the best reproduction possible of my precious vinyl collection? Great
question and one with a pretty simple answer. The PhonoBlocks are not
just an exercise in engineering, although they are superbly designed and
executed.
All of the design principles described above, along with using world class circuit
components, are utilized to provide the music lover with an exquisite combination of
accuracy and musicality. The ultimate compliment one can pay to any audio component
is that it simply gets out of the way of music. Or, to put it another way, the technology serves
the music. All of the desirable attributes on the audiophile checklist are here; accurate frequency re-
sponse, superb imaging, an extremely realistic soundstage, dynamics and, perhaps most importantly,
the ability to let the music “breathe” in the same way that live music does.
Unlike some designs which purport to be accurate but present music in a sterile and analytical way,
the PhonoBlocks are both accurate and intensely musical. You are not forced to choose between a
euphonic but colored presentation and one that is technically highly accurate but no fun. The Suther-
land PhonoBlocks are a classic example of science serving art.

THE PURE AND SIMPLE SOLUTION
POWER SUPPLY:
Much of the PhonoBlock’s effortless musicality can be attributed to power supply capability. The power
supply is not ‘sized’ for the gain stage’s load. On the contrary, gain stage power requirements place
an insignificant load on the power supply’s capacity. The power available to the amplifier section is a
bedrock solid foundation. Precisely defined by fixed current regulators, shunt voltage regulators right
at the load and over 100,000 microfarads (per mono chassis) for energy storage. It takes nearly 20
seconds for this huge reservoir to fill up when AC power is applied.
For a design guided by simplicity, the PhonoBlock’s power supply may, at first, appear plenty compli-
cated. Admittedly, it is both simple AND complex. It is a long chain of individually simple elements.
Each element has a function of either filtering or regulation (also doing a filtering function). Each ele-
ment inserts a level of isolation. The accumulated isolation is unprecedented.
The chain looks like this:
• AC power entry connector
• AC fuses
• First torroidal transformer
• Dual pi ferrite bead / film capacitor filter
• Second torroidal transformer
From here, there are two parallel power paths. One for the first gain
stage and another one for the final gain stage. EACH of the two sepa-
rate paths has these elements.
• Slow recovery, discrete diode, full-wave bridge rectifier
• Initial filter capacitors
• Constant current regulator
• First RC pi filter
• Second RC pi filter
• Shielded ribbon cable between shielded compartments
• Cross over from the right compartment to the left compartment
• Third RC pi filter

PURPOSEFUL TWIST
Power Path Continued
• Forth RC pi filter
• Fifth RC pi filter
• Constant voltage shunt regulator
• Electrolytic and film capacitor bypass at the active devices
You can clearly see that each element adds ‘distance’ from the incoming AC power source. This is
also apparent when you look at the physical layout of components. Each element adds a physical
distance from the AC power connector. All listed items before the ribbon cable are in the right shielded
enclosure. They are in linear order from back to front. The ribbon cable goes from right to left, taking
power to the front of the audio board. Power filtering elements then go in linear order from front to back
on the audio board. Finally, you will see the electrolytic and film capacitors very closely clustered right
at the chips they are powering.
Simple, logical, straightforward, reliable AND effective.
CASE / CONSTRUCTION:
Once a circuit topology is optimized for sound quality, it is critical that the surrounding physical environ-
ment is supportive of that achievement.
Like so many other aspects of the PhonoBlock design, the
case is unassuming, classic --------- but with a unique,
purposeful twist. There are two shielded enclosures
behind the machined front panel. The right side
contains the AC power supply and left side
contains the analog audio circuitry. We get
the performance advantages of shielded iso-
lation and the tidiness of unification.
And yet there is another concealed advantage.
Usually the cable interconnecting audio and power sup-
ply sections is hanging out in space, exposed to radiated interference
and other environmental uncertainties. The PhonoBlock interconnection is hid-
den away, protected and totally shielded. You don’t even see that cable. It is securely tucked into a
machined channel in the aluminum front panel.

NOVEL, YET ELEGANT
There are other details making the PhonoBlocks special.
Some are small. For instance, if the front panel logo were simply silk-screened ink, sitting on the sur-
face of the panel it would, over the years, rub off. It is actually a black dye anodized INTO the alumi-
num. You can see and even feel the difference.
Some are big. The base of the PhonoBlock is laser machined 12 gage cold rolled steel. That’s about
1/8” thick. That substantial platform is protected with baked on epoxy power coat.
Feet are custom machined from Delrin with rubberized cork inserts.
The theme of robust construction is also evident in the circuit boards. Fiberglass FR-4 is a well estab-
lished, top quality choice for circuit board material. However, what you will see in the PhonoBlock is
over the top. At 1/8” thickness, PhonoBlock circuit boards are twice as thick as normally seen. Indi-
vidual parts are anchored from any mechanical movement.
PRINTED CIRCUIT DIELECTRIC:
Anytime two conductors are at a different voltage potential, there is an electric field generated between
them. The dielectric (the insulation between conductors) within that field become involved in charge
storage. If not carefully considered, that extra charge storage can time smear details of a musical
signal. Circuit board material is a dielectric. With normal double-sided construction, there are copper
conductors on each side of the board. Uninten-
tionally, a new capacitor is introduced into the
circuit, formed by top surface copper, bottom
surface copper and the circuit board dielectric
sandwiched between the two. It is NOT the
quality of capacitor we want to have in a high-
end signal path. Some manufactures make
the situation even worse by going to multi-layer
boards in the analog audio sections. Instead
of two layers of copper, there are four or more
layers of copper. Even worse than that, the
dielectric between layers is much thinner and
the undesired capacitive effect is inversely pro-
portional to thickness. At best, some manufac-
tures make small, incremental improvements
by using exotic board material.
The PhonoBlocks addresses the issue of circuit board dielectric in a novel – yet elegantly simple way.
All signal carrying conductors are on the top plane of the circuit board. There are no copper conduc-
tors on the bottom plane, opposite signal carrying regions. Thus there are no electric fields generated
between top and bottom layers. The circuit board dielectric is not exposed to electric fields and there is
no undesired storage in circuit board material. The circuit board dielectric is not improved ---------- it is
removed. It is as if a window were behind you, instead of in front of you. It is still there, but not in the
way of clarity.