Ultra-Linear
Moving Coil
Phono Stage/Preamp:
Reflex C
The Reflex C phono stage/preamp is our new one box solution for conventional
(low) output moving coil cartridges having an output of 0.2 to 1.0 mV.
Previously only possible with our Elevator EXP/Reflex M phono stage preamp combo, the Reflex C
phono stage preamp brings that missing excitement to moving coil cartridge
listening, revealing the secrets hidden in your vinyl - as well as great
dynamics, delicacy and just the right amount of warmth. The soundstage is
simply spellbinding!
"...the
Reflex C is extraordinarily quiet... absolutely invisible... The tonal harvest
was rich and bountiful, with a deep sonorous bass linearly joined by a smooth
and creamy midrange, and progressing to clean and open treble that lacked
nothing in sparkle, but never became bright or insistent... It showed
excellent attack and pace, and was never intimidated by the often lavish
production... Smooth, open, detailed and unobtrusive, this is quite a superb
phono stage that should hold its own against more expensive designs"
Deon Schoeman, Audio Video (South Africa), August 2011 (contact
distributor)
Ultra Linear!
It does what valves (tubes) did so well, but couldn't do with moving coil
because of valve noise - the best sounding valve gear was ultra-linear, and
we've made ultra-linear possible, with low noise, in solid state.
"a good upgrade from the best of the currently available sub-$1,000 preamps like the Dynavector DV-75. It's good enough to pip the WhestTWO and even go head to head with the much more expensive
Plinius Koru without embarrassment. A superb product, worthy of audition if you are in the market for a high end phono stage."
Michael Wong, AudioEnz (New Zealand), September 2010 (read review)
(contact
distributor)
Innovative
Imagine a tube/valve solution for moving coil phono stage pre-amplification?
If only! Unfortunately tubes/valves don't have the open-loop gain and are too
noisy to do moving coil pre-amplification unless you also use a step-up
transformer (or even better, our
Elevator EXP flat gain step-up stage). But now, with the Reflex C phono
stage preamp you can get the sound you're searching for - yes, that illusive
tube/valve linearity, from solid state!
But how? Conventional solid state moving coil phono stage preamps have poor
open-loop bandwidth which means their open-loop response is only a few tens of
hertz (see plot). Negative feedback straightens out their response but
obviously it has to make a 45 degree slope into a horizontal line - in doing
so it introduces much phase modulation.
The Reflex C phono stage preamp has more than ten times the open-loop
bandwidth which means, for the same amount of negative feedback, there is an
over tenfold reduction in phase modulation (note: the graph above is to a
logarithmic scale). It has been known for several
years that tubes/valves have this property (albeit at much lower gain) but
there wasn't the technology available to replicate it in solid state, and at
the required gain. Now there is!
But that's not the full story. There are lots more refinements designed to
take the Reflex C phono stage preamp's own influences out of the music's way, including
excellent radio frequency rejection at input, power supply input and output,
as well as selection from the best branded components available that gel to
make the most precise sound stage delivering an unbeatable moving coil musical
experience.
Power Supply
The Reflex C is powered by an outboard power supply. The highly refined
PSU1 uni-polar
power supply is the preferred option and the one reviewers chose to
conduct their tests. It is available for 90-120V (for USA, Canada, Japan,
Taiwan etc) or 220-240V ac mains versions. It performs pre-regulation and in
conjunction with the Reflexes own onboard regulator, the combination is in
fact a "super-regulator".
A
lower cost option is available: the Reflex C phono stage preamp
is offered with a
universal-voltage energy-efficient mains plug mounted
power supply option.
Specification
Input range: 0.2mV to 1.0mV
Output (for input range): 252mV to 1,260mV (1.26V)
Maximum input: 3.9mV rms
Maximum output: 4.914V rms
Gain: 62dB (1,260) at 1kHz
Input impedance: 100 Ohms
Output (driving/source) impedance: 1k Ohm
Recommended load impedance: 10k Ohm or greater
Noise at output: -62dB CCIR Q-pk
Equivalent input noise (EIN): -124dB
Distortion: 0.02%
RIAA accuracy: <0.5dB
Frequency response: 20Hz - 200kHz (flat, corrected to RIAA)
Channel balance: 0.2dB
Channel separation: 64dB
Size: (approx.) W: 107 x H: 50 x D: 180 (mm) inc. jacks
Prices
£538.69 supplied with PSU1 power supply/ £418.94 supplied with energy saving
power supply. Prices in GBP (pounds sterling) ex VAT/GST
