A feature from one of our sponsors Frederick Crane
Prana Distribution LLC

A Tale of 3 Phono Stages
Destination Audio Reference WE 417A Phono,
Synästec Igniculus, Trafomatic Collins

In the world of audio engineering, it could be argued that the phono stage presents the greatest challenge to the engineer. While a traditional preamp can require an amplification factor of about 10, a phono preamp can be well over 100,000. What do you get for your hard work?

A component that by its sheer magnitude of amplification will show absolutely every flaw, even the thought of a flaw, for all the world to hear. How many times have you sat to hear a DHT phono stage whose bloom and space was stomped on by their concomitant noise.

What we’re featuring today are 3 phono stages each with their own unique circuit design and pedigree. To my ears, any of them could be my last. One unit is single ended and tubed based, another fully balanced and tubed based, another still is solid state albeit a balanced octal solid state. Both balanced units can manage 4 different cartridges with their own specific cartridge loading and capacitance…so excellent choices for the archivist or analog committed audiophile.

The Igniculus has the distinction of being the quietest phono stage we have ever measured. (It should be pointed out that all of the phono stages presented today, have self noise factors below our ability to hear them.) The degree to which it stages and appears real, is only limited by the associated equipment. Of course implementing the octal circuit from jump to speakers is something truly special. We’ll have a sneak peak of a never heard before model of loudspeaker from Audionec this July which will benefit from the fully octal solid state amplification of Synästec.

The Collins is a special order phono stage, so you won’t find much about it on the net. Suffice it to say, that along with the Tara 30A preamplifier, we find it to be at the pinnacle of tube amplification. The transformers are all custom, the tube stages completely isolated by their own suspended boards.

The Destination Audio WE417A phono stage is a re-invention of what’s best in a single ended tubed phono stage.

It sports the best iron possible. There is LCR RIAA correction and amorphous interstage transformers. With that combination and moreover, the meticulous matching of every component and wire, we are gifted with one of the most gorgeous sounding phono stages to date. The SUT’s at the circuits end are themselves works of art. Do you like tubes and horns? Do you favor a single ended system? You could do no better.

There you are…three ‘new’ phono stages for your consideration. Depending upon the synergy and topology of your current system, we feel that these analog giants offer an inspiring solution for spinning tip top vinyl.

Prana Distribution LLC
Frederick Crane
617.669.3275
www.pranadistribution.com

A feature from one of our sponsors Gary Leeds
Hear This: End Game Audio Distribution. CA

Who Needs Another Cable Maker?

Our goal has always been to provide the purest signals and power for the audio system. Therefore, we first start with an examination of stranded and solid conductors. Our testing results clearly show that solid conductors are superior and provide the basis for what we want to achieve in all cable types.

For those who do not know us, we began our company a decade ago in the UK, producing one of the earliest high-performance USB cables while I was still at University. Since then, we have continuously advanced our solid conductor, “Autria Alloy” and “Vari-Twist”, noise-repellent cable technology to create two levels of exceptional cables in both Standard and Ultra formats.

In addition to a full suite of traditional analog, digital, and power cable products, we also produce two specialty power cable products.

1. A dedicated DC cable connecting the power supply to DAC for the Lumin X1, U1 and S1.

2. What we call a “Hybrid Power Cable” specially created for top MSB DACs that connects the MSB Power Base to the following models: MSB Reference DAC, MSB Select II DAC.
Note: for use with mono or dual Power Base systems.

• Solid-core construction (note cables are surprisingly flexible).

• Proprietary “ Vari-Twist” process specific to each cable length to significantly reduce the internally radiated noise produced from many of today’s twisted-pair cable designs.

• The use of a proprietary hybrid conductor material named Autria alloy, created to eliminate the distinct sound signature of the majority of mono-crystal cables made from copper, silver and gold.

• Instead of commonly used metal shielding that reflects noise into the cable, Westminster adapts the use of a carbon-fiber shield that is used along with their Vari-Twist method. This takes noise reduction to an unprecedented level.

• Hand-applied epoxy coating to prevent oxidation and provide consistent performance over time.

• Significant effort put into high-quality Eco-friendly packaging.

Please see our WBF thread “Re-imagining The Cable Connection” for more details.

In-home auditions are available on cables and electronics by contacting our North American Distributor: Gary Leeds, Hear This LLC
Tel: (949) 467 -9808. Email: Gary@hearthis.us