SPL Phonos Duo MM-MC Phono Stage Preamplifier / Phono Stage MM/MC Phono Stage

SPL Phonos Duo, the phono twice as versatile

Extremely customizable and high-performance, it is the choice of true vinyl lovers

SPL expands its famous range of phono preamplifiers with the new Phonos Duo, an advanced version of the Phonos that remains permanently in the catalog. Many new features have been introduced, including a double pair of balanced stereo inputs and outputs. More connectivity, more versatility, but the same signature SPL sonic DNA. The Phonos Duo supports both MM and MC cartridges, using the legendary Douglas Self circuitry and 120V VOLTAiR technology and, like all components in the SPL Professional Fidelity series, it is available in three finishes: black, red, or silver.

Custom adjustments

To adapt to different types of cartridges, the Phonos Duo offers a wide range of adjustments. For MM, six capacitance values (12, 47, 100, 150, 220 and 330 pF) while for MC, the same number of impedance values (20, 50, 100, 220, 500 ohm and 1 kohm) to respect the specifications of each cartridge. To adapt to low-output MCs, traditionally considered higher-performance due to their lightness and speed, Phonos Duo offers up to 70 dB of gain, with an extremely low background noise thanks to VOLTAiR120V technology.

The Phonos Duo has two pairs of inputs/outputs: one balanced (XLR) and one unbalanced (RCA), both always active in parallel and a GND Lift button to eliminate ground loops. A front switch allows you to choose between inputs, while the output is always available on both types of connection.

The front panel features numerous controls for managing the gain levels (+30/40/50 dB for MM, +50/60/70 dB for MC), mono mode, subsonic filter, impedance or capacitance, and the mute button.

Many technical features

The Phonos' RIAA equalization was developed according to the recommendations of Douglas Self, a British electronics engineer with a strong passion for audio. He holds an honorary degree from the University of Cambridge and teaches psychoacoustics at the University of Sussex. His intuition is based on the concept that many small capacitors are better than a few large ones. The advantages are obvious: low-value capacitors charge and discharge faster, which translates into better resolution and faster impulse response. Only audiophile-grade Styroflex capacitors are used throughout the entire RIAA equalizer on the Phonos Duo. But the technological heart of the Phonos Duo is undoubtedly the 120V VOLTAiR technology, exclusive to SPL: the proprietary SUPRA opamps work at a voltage of ±60V, four times higher than traditional standards, guaranteeing an exceptional dynamic range, a superior signal-to-noise ratio and practically infinite headroom.

Technical characteristics

MM/MC input impedance: 47kΩ/selectable

Output impedance: 75Ω

Frequency response: 10Hz-100kHz

Crosstalk: -80dB

MM gain: 30/40/50 dB

MC gain: 50/60/70 dB

Dynamic range: 132dB

Power supply: 230VAC, 50/60Hz

Power consumption: 30VA