Page 49 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

Mains regeneration to eliminate local By the time I got to Neil Young’s
distortions came from an Isotek Evo Tell me Why, from After the Goldrush
3 Mosaic Genesis supply. There’s (no, not After the Goldfish you
no ground lift on the Petit; it is not silly spell checker) – an 180gm, all
connected to earth through its analogue re-master – traits were
power lead but it does connect input coming into focus. Young’s acoustic
earth to output earth – likely to guitar was vivid and had solid sense
introduce hum if other components of body, but there was some solid-
are earthed. state hardness compared to our
In sound the Petit exceeded all-valve Icon Audio PS3 MkII. You get
my expectations. It has all the sonic more insight and resolution, but less Top panel controls. At left is a rotary MC (Ω)
insight of a very good solid-state relaxation and stage depth. load switch and at right an MM (kΩ) load
design, but enough of the atmosphere However, at an absolute level
and low end weight that valves the Petit not only had pristine clarity switch. Lever switches below select MM
enjoy. Making Alison Goldfrap sound and strong yet supple bass, it was capacitance, gain and Subsonic filter.
wonderfully breathy centre stage, also svelte in delivery. Even with
every little intonation obvious, whilst old recordings like Janis Joplin’s Me CONCLUSION
the powerful synth lines had both and Bobby McGee (Mobile Fidelity There’s no doubt that sonically this is
weight and speed. Yes, speed: this re-master, 180gm 45rpm) it lifted a great phono stage. It has enormous
little unit is not laconic or laid back, Joplin out to make her gravelly vocals insight and fantastic resolution: you
obvious yet palatable. get to hear everything. It also has fine
With the very latest and greatest tonal balance, with strong yet supple
new recordings like Big Band bass and obvious yet sweet treble.
Spectacular, with The Syd Lawrence I’ve never heard our lovely Ortofon
Orchestra, I had a vividly lit orchestra Cadenza Bronze MC sound so good!
before me, with fast drumming and At the price it is in effect a bargain,
blaring saxophones put up in full even if at a practical level it could be
scale. Knockout spectacular! easier and better.

MEASURED PERFORMANCE
Gain values measured as stated, except MM, down to 4mV with gain set to 70
the maximum gain of 70dB (x3162) for low output MC.
wasn’t achieved, a value of x2513
Clip on heatsinks help cool the amounting to 68dB – still enough for Frequency response measured flat
valves, but they only run warm very low output moving coil (MC) from 16Hz to 20kHz with the highest
in any case. cartridges. gain of 70dB our analysis shows and
The Petit overloads at 9V out, like was identical at lower gain values.
instead it races along supported by most solid-state phono stages, the Steep reduction in gain below
strong low end power – and a vivid, valves making no difference (no gain). 20Hz gives -14dB attenuation at 5Hz,
vivacious midband squeakily clear This results in acceptable input overload providing effective warp filtering to
of smear or overhang. I called it values of 90mV with gain set to 40 for prevent loudspeaker cone flap. The
“manicured” in my notes. Subsonic filter improves on this by EAT E-GLO PETIT
All these qualities were obvious FREQUENCY RESPONSE increasing attenuation at 5Hz to a very £1249
with Hugh Masekela’s Hope high -40dB. With slight lift above 25Hz
(Analogue Productions, 180gm), the with subsonic filter in or out bass will £
track Lady had Masekela’s trumpet be subjectively strong. OUTSTANDING - amongst
and vocals blare out, whilst kick drum Noise measured a low 0.16µV the best.
was firm and discrete – standing well (input noise) for both MC and MM.
apart – as did his support vocalists. It With MC 0.08µV is possible making the VALUE - keenly priced
was a great sound – both lively and Petit 6dB noisier, but the difference is
enormously detailed. Even the fine between no noise or a faint background VERDICT
Wonderful sound quality
clicking of sticks was obvious and hiss at the loudspeakers. So low noise, from both MC and MM
discrete. but not the best possible, the valves cartridges at decent price, but
At this point and after many DISTORTION likely being responsible. technically geeky.
LPs I was marvelling at the sense of A fine set of results from a well
intense insight the Petit offers and its tailored valve-output phono stage able FOR
- clear, revealing sound
impressive resolution and symbiotic to work with all cartridges. NK - matches all cartridges
presentation of our Ortofon Cadenza - quiet
Bronze MC cartridge. It captured PHONO (MM/MC) 25Hz-20kHz
Frequency response
the sweet but clear treble of the Distortion (1kHz, 5mV in) 0.03% AGAINST
Bronze better than most: when Mark Separation (1kHz) 67dB - awkward to place and use
- poor instructions
Knopfler’s guitar strings chimed out Noise (IEC A) -93dB / -82dB - no ground lift switch
in True Love Will Never Fade, from Gain (MM, MC) x100 (40dB) / x2513
his LP Kill to Get Crimson, I was (68dB) Absolute Sounds
entranced! Lucidly clear and fresh, Overload 4-90mV in / 9V out +44 (0)20 89713909
like morning sun. www.absolutesounds.com

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 49