Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier is a fully configurable phono stage from Acoustic Solid (Germany), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed as a natural partner for Acoustic Solid turntables, it offers an exceptional degree of user-adjustable loading and gain — with input impedance adjustable from 50 to 680 ohms in 10-ohm steps plus a fixed 47 kohm MM setting, input capacitance from 100 to 600 pF in 50 pF steps, and amplification from +32 dB to +64 dB in 4 dB steps — covering every moving coil and moving magnet cartridge combination in the Acoustic Solid lineup and beyond. Signal-to-noise ratio reaches 99 dBA at high gain settings, distortion is held below 0.005%, and crosstalk attenuation exceeds 103 dB, all within a compact 140 x 70 x 178 mm chassis weighing 1 kg.

Fully Configurable Loading for MC and MM Cartridges

The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier is built around the principle that cartridge loading is not a fixed parameter but a variable that should be optimized for each specific cartridge and system combination. Input impedance is adjustable from 50 ohms to 680 ohms in precise 10-ohm increments for moving coil cartridges — covering the loading requirements of virtually every low and high output MC cartridge from manufacturers including Ortofon, Lyra, Koetsu, Shelter, and van den Hul — with a separate 47 kohm setting for moving magnet cartridges. Input capacitance is independently adjustable from 100 pF to 600 pF in 50 pF steps, allowing precise optimization of MM cartridge high-frequency response for cartridges with varying internal inductance. This level of adjustability is typically found only in phono stages at significantly higher price points, making the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier an unusually capable partner for the full range of Acoustic Solid tonearm and cartridge combinations.

Gain Range and Electrical Performance

Amplification is adjustable from +32 dB to +64 dB in 4 dB steps at 1 kHz, spanning the full range from moving magnet cartridge output levels at the lower end to the lowest output moving coil cartridges — some producing as little as 0.2 mV — at the upper end, without any loss of signal-to-noise performance. Signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 99 dBA at lower gain settings and remains above 76 dBA at maximum gain relative to 2 V rms output — figures that reflect a low-noise circuit design capable of handling the most demanding MC cartridges without audible hiss at normal listening levels. Frequency response is flat from 10 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 0.2 dB, distortion is below 0.005%, and crosstalk attenuation exceeds 103 dB relative to 2 V rms output — ensuring complete channel independence across the full audio bandwidth. Maximum output is 10 V rms at 35 mA rms into a 50-ohm output impedance, providing sufficient drive for any downstream integrated amplifier or preamplifier input.

Key Features

• Adjustable Input Impedance: 50 to 680 ohms in 10-ohm steps for moving coil cartridges, plus 47 kohm for moving magnet — covering the full loading range of virtually every MC and MM cartridge available.
• Adjustable Input Capacitance: 100 to 600 pF in 50 pF steps for precise MM cartridge high-frequency optimization based on cartridge inductance and cable capacitance.
• Wide Gain Range: +32 dB to +64 dB in 4 dB steps accommodates moving magnet and the lowest output moving coil cartridges within a single unit.
• 99 dBA Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Exceptional noise performance at standard gain settings, remaining above 76 dBA at maximum gain relative to 2 V rms output.
• 103 dB Crosstalk Attenuation: Complete channel isolation across the full audio bandwidth for precise stereo imaging and channel separation.
• Below 0.005% Distortion: Low distortion circuit design preserving the tonal accuracy of the cartridge output through the RIAA equalization stage.
• Flat Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 0.2 dB for accurate RIAA equalization across the full audio bandwidth.
• 10 V rms Maximum Output: High output headroom at 35 mA rms into 50-ohm output impedance for compatibility with any downstream amplifier input stage.
• Compact Form Factor: 140 x 70 x 178 mm chassis weighing 1 kg, sized for use alongside Acoustic Solid turntables on any equipment rack.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier?

The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier is a fully adjustable phono stage from Acoustic Solid of Germany, offering input impedance from 50 to 680 ohms in 10-ohm steps plus 47 kohm, input capacitance from 100 to 600 pF in 50 pF steps, and gain from +32 dB to +64 dB in 4 dB steps. It achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 99 dBA, distortion below 0.005%, and crosstalk attenuation above 103 dB, in a compact 140 x 70 x 178 mm chassis.

How does the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier compare to the Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B or Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II?

The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier competes directly with the Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B and Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II in the configurable MC and MM phono stage category. The Pro-Ject DS3 B offers switchable loading and gain via DIP switches, while the Lehmann Black Cube SE II provides a selection of fixed loading options via plug-in resistors. The Acoustic Solid unit differentiates itself with its exceptionally fine 10-ohm impedance adjustment steps — versus the coarser fixed options of its competitors — and its 4 dB gain increments across a 32-step range from +32 to +64 dB, allowing a level of optimization not available in either competing design at this tier.

Can the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier be used with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges?

Yes. The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier handles both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges within a single unit. The 47 kohm input impedance setting covers all moving magnet cartridges, while the 50 to 680 ohm range in 10-ohm steps accommodates virtually every low and high output moving coil cartridge. The gain range of +32 to +64 dB ensures sufficient amplification for MC cartridges producing as little as 0.2 mV output without compromising signal-to-noise performance.

What is the significance of 10-ohm impedance adjustment steps?

Most phono stages offer a small number of fixed impedance loading options — typically four to six preset values such as 100, 200, 470, and 1000 ohms. The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier's 10-ohm step adjustment allows the user to dial in the precise loading value recommended by the cartridge manufacturer, or to fine-tune loading by ear to optimize high-frequency extension, tonal balance, and channel separation for a specific cartridge in a specific system. This granularity is a significant practical advantage when working with demanding low-output MC cartridges that are sensitive to loading conditions.

Does the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier pair well with Acoustic Solid turntables?

Yes. The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier is engineered as a natural system partner for Acoustic Solid turntables fitted with WTB-series tonearms and a wide range of MC and MM cartridges. Its adjustable loading and gain cover every cartridge combination available for Acoustic Solid's WTB 213, WTB 230, WTB 313, and WTB 370 tonearms, and its 50-ohm output impedance is compatible with any downstream integrated amplifier or preamplifier input.

Where can I buy the Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier in Toronto or Canada?

The Acoustic Solid Phono Pre-Amplifier is available in Toronto, Canada at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Acoustic Solid dealer. Vinyl Sound's team can assist with gain and loading setup for your specific cartridge and system, and advise on integration with Acoustic Solid turntables and third-party amplification.