Page 122 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

VINYL SECTION

perhaps – taking up more space
than many rivals. One reason is
that a bulky (but high quality) linear
power supply is housed on-board,
possessing three transformers,
where today phono stages are
commonly driven by an external
switch-mode wall-wart supply.
Power is taken in through a three-
pin IEC mains connector at rear
and there’s also a rocker-style mains
master switch here. Weight is 5.8kg.
And finally to gain options, or
lack of them. Where most phono
stages offer options, Audio Analogue
Just beneath and behind the front fascia plate lie small black push provide a standard x100 gain for
buttons, at left and right. They select MM or MC gain, plus loading MM (40dB) but a high x2000 gain
values for MM and MC cartridges. for MC (66dB), where x1000 (60dB)
is standard. This suits high quality,
are 15k, 37k, 47k and 69k Ohm tiny push buttons beneath the front low output moving coils – as does
loads, of which only 47k is needed fascia. Accessible from the front, very low noise, so it appears to
since all MM cartridges are specified this is a more practical method me Audio Analogue are aiming this
for a 47k Ohm load – I don’t know than underside DIP switches, but design at those with expensive MC
what the other load values are the legends beneath the LEDs were cartridges, who don’t want to hear
for. There are also four capacitive grey against a silver aluminium hiss. Although high gain is used the
loading values from minimum background and barely legible I overload ceiling was still adequate.
to 250pF, these slightly altering found, in-idiom with Apple’s trend
frequency response above 1kHz to setting understated typography SOUND QUALITY
produce subtle variations, increasing – but taken too far here. I connected the AAPhono to our
capacitance lifting the midband but Measuring 220mm wide, 90mm Creek Evolution 100A amplifier
reducing high treble in most MM high and 360mm deep not including through Chord Company Epic
cartridges. rear protrusion of plugs (372mm), cables, the Creek in turn being
The AAPhono has one set of the AAPhono isn’t as small as some. connected to Martin Logan ESL-X
phono-socket inputs to handle In a 19in (483mm) wide rack it hybrid electrostatic loudspeakers
one turntable, so it is set up for a muscles in to leave 263mm available through Chord Company Signature
specific cartridge by pressing the for another item – an amplifier Reference cables. Feeding the

The AAPhono majors on linear power supplies, having no fewer than three mains transformers,
seen at right. Two supply power to each channel, the third power to the switching circuits and
ancillaries.
122 HI-FI WORLD JANUARY 2020 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk