VINYL PHONO | lampizator

VINYL PHONO MC1 MC2, MM1, MM2, SUT-A

The MC phono stage pre-preamp

MM Moving Magnet

100% pure tube job, no silicon inside

ORDER

From the designer

The Lampizator Vinyl Phono is a result of long research that we took regarding the feasibility of creating the no compromise Phonostage that is worthy of our reputation in DACs.

There were some basic criteria which we thought are important, namely:

No silicon
MC input, (no MM at all in this particular model, MM available in a separate unit called MM1)
Tube rectified PSU
Tube regulated PSU
Tube stages for input and output
No negative feedback
Premium parts
User switchable input loads for MC (low - normal - high)

Big housing like the Big 7 DAC
Finish Variants with black top, copper top, red paint top etc
Concealed tubes
Tube rolling possible
Nixie display for 5 input loads and muting
“volume” style knob for selector of loads
Needle current meter

Last but not least: all our vinyl products listed here are ONE BOX, without an ugly PSU box hanging somewhere behind the rack. We strongly believe that power supply should be as close to "consumers" as possible, and properly designed product proves that this is optimal solution. Outboard PSU are made by designers who don't know any better.

Out goal is to target directly and successfuly the top end of the market - players like Kondo, Audio-Note, EMT, EAR deParavicini, and similar phono stages. The initial sales tests confirmed, that we succeeded to achieve that goal and in most cases at a substantially lower price.

OPTIONAL MODELS:

MC1: MC only input, full tube PSU, Single ended outputs, one arm (6600 Euro plus VAT tax)

MM1: MM only input, full tube PSU, Single ended outputs, one arm (4600 Euro plus VAT tax)

MM2: MM only input, full solid state PSU, Smaller cabinet, Single ended outputs, one arm (3900 Euro plus VAT tax)

MC2: one MM input, two MC inputs, each input is RCA and XLR, three arms altogether, user selectable arm configuration, full tube stage, full tube RIAA, full tube power supplies (rectification and regulation) two outputs (simultaneous MM and MC outputs) and balanced MC /MM outputs - XLR. 5 loads, muting, nixie, big7 chassis like MC1, copper housing optional. (9900 Euro plus VAT)

SUT-A: Step Up Transformer with selectable loads and nixie display, one input, one SE output or custom order XLR output (1990 Euro plus VAT)

Lampizator Vinyl Phono MC1 phonostage pre preamplifier

The Lampizator Vinyl Phono is a result of long research that we took regarding the feasibility of creating the no compromise Phonostage that is worthy of our reputation in DACs.

There were some basic criteria which we thought are important, namely:

Why no MM input? Why the user can't use his own step up transformer?

Well, the complexity of our design is such, that the step up is entwined into the tube schematics, and best should not be separated. They work together (transformer and tubes) so well, that separating them would be a crime and this marvelous Phono wouldn't be as good as it is. So - no matter what is your step up - the benefits of what I did are far greater than the benefit of an outboard step-up plus cables of course. This way my design is great, simple one box, no cable fuss, no compatibility issue, no risk of mis-match, and full control of how it sounds. And besides - we used the best step-up we could possibly find and we tested many, side by side.

The owners of superb exotic Step Up Transformers (SUT) can purchase a dedicated MM1 variant of our Vinyl Phono)

Basic Specifications MC1:

Inputs: One stereo RCA input, with adjustable loadings

Outputs: One stereo RCA output with 2Kohm output impedance

Amplification factor: Total of 3200x, (70 dB)

Cartridge compatibility: Moving Coil MC only, from 0,1 mA.

Number of input load settings: 5

Output level on average music material: 2V pp

Output headroom: 10x

Power consumption: 40W

AC mains: 110/115/220/230V AC / 50 - 60Hz

Tube compliment: 2 x 6N2P-B, 2Xecc803, 1xEL34, 1X6X5, 1 x Nixie

Shelf footprint: 43x51 cm (W x D)

Total height clearance: 13 cm

Weight (net / shipping gross): 17 kg / 25 kg

Power supply: fully linear, 150 Watt, fully regulated for every consumption point.

Paid options: Copper top, NOS tubes. Silver wired SUT.

Lampizator Vinyl Phono MM1

After successful launch of our MC1 phono stage, we realized that in this price category many audiophiles already own very good quality SUT transformers for MC, sometimes - dedicated to their favorite cartridge. Consequently we decided to offer a version of phono stage without input transformers - just MM type, but retaining all the amazing qualities of MC1. Basically this is the highest level of phono that we can imagine, which in combination with your favorite SUT will be the ultimate phono system without equal.

The resulting device is beautiful, great sounding, and packed with extras that make a perfect compliment for the existing MC SUT of yours.

Key highlights:

MM compatibility with most of low, normal or high output MM cartridges
No transformers on board
ultra low noise design with 2 layer shielding
super advanced PCB technology with 4 layer design and full shielding
zero vibration design 20 mm mdf platform
Possibility of custom order input impedance for particular cartridge
muting function for needle cleaning, headshell change or simply arm cue-in on the record.
principle of operation: tube RIAA preamplifier, Single Ended

Technical specs:
XLR inputs by request, normally RCA

Outputs: Only RCA
Voltage amplification ratio: 200
Load default: 47 000 Ohms
Power supply: user selectable 115/230(240) V AC @ 10 Watts
Box dimensions [W x H x D ] 430 x 130 x 520 [mm]
Net weight / shipping gross : 12 kg / 19 kg
Available front colors: anodized black, anodized satin silver, champagne, custom RAL

User opinion: “I tested the MM1 not knowing what to expect, after using exclusively solid state MM's with my SUT. This product redefines what you can squeeze from your vinyl rig: for me there is no return to solid state. I identified my system's bottleneck !"

Lampizator Vinyl Phono MM2

Our new phono MM2 is directly derived from our flagship MM1. We tried very hard to maintain the top quality of sound, parts, technology and execution, while reducing the physical size and chassis footprint. The MM2 will fit easily on any rack shelf, as well as in the smaller budget.

The whole analog signal section is identical with the MC1/MM1 to she smallest part, while the power supply is silicon, not tubed. It is a matter of discussion how big is the sonic signature of fully tubed PSU but it definitely belongs in the big flagship, which is twice as big, twice as heavy and twice the price.

MM2 has the following key features:

MM cartridge compatiblity with 47k input
external SUT transformer compatibility for MC cartridges
high sensitivity even for low output cartridges
copper sheet capacitors in the signal output
perfect RIAA tracing
4 layer fully shielded PCB
no silicon in the whole signal path
precisely regulated heaters with slow start function
extremely good tubes selected from the whole world's range of available triodes
tube rolling is possible by the user (ECC803, ECC88 types)
Elegant Lampizator chassis (Amber 3 DAC) with 10 mm aviation grade aluminum front

XLR inputs by request, normally RCA

Outputs: Only RCA

5 years warranty.

Our experience in designing tube DACs and amps allowed us to create a very elegant circuit, with low noise, no hum, very dynamic, spacious and three dimensional sound, simply not possible from opamp based phono stages.

MSRP world wide price 3900 Euro netto
Choice of black, silver or champagne front panel and as usual - color of the button eye ring.

Technical specs:

INPUTS/ OUTPUTS: a pair of SE inputs (xlr by order) and a pair of SE outputs. Arm grounding lug.
Power supply: user selectable 115/230(240) V AC @ 20 Watts
Box dimensions [W x H x D ] 430 x 130 x 330 [mm]
Net weight / shipping gross : 10 kg / 15 kg
Available front colors: anodized black, anodized satin silver, champagne, custom RAL

User opinion: “This is a wolf in sheep's clothes - despite its relatively small and simple look, this product shocked me, by opening a huuuge window to the soundstage, with music so liquid, easy flowing and damn dynamic. My MM cartridges now sound like good MC and I can't imagine what an addition of SUT with MC would do to my system !”

Here is what Brett Rudolph wrote in Enjoythemusic magazine:

"The Conclusion...
The LampizatOr MM2 phono stage is a well-designed and executed piece of equipment. It is not only beautiful to behold, but it is also a joy to use. It did a spectacular job extracting more detail from an Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge than I thought possible. It did that and made the result sound fantastic, which was more important."

see more of this review at:

Lampizator Vinyl Phono MC-SUT-A (September 2020)

Already fourth product in our phono vinyl lineup, SUT-A is an amorphous step up transformer. It represents the highest quality transformer, wound on the top level amorphous metal core. Every smallest detail, responsible for sound quality, has been maximized without compromise. We wanted to create an unique product, not just a SUT with input and output, so we added the convenience features that nobody on the market offers with their SUT’s.
The resulting device is beautiful, great sounding, and packed with extras that make a perfect compliment for the existing MM phono stages with which it must operate to create a complete vinyl setup.

Key highlights:

Two inputs for two turntables or two arms (for example Stereo and Mono)

MC compatibility with most of low to normal output MC cartridges (tested with our Audio Technica ART1000, ZYX Ultimate 100, Audio Technica AT33-SA-MC, Acoustic Signature MCX-3 and Denon DL-103R)
Two stereo transformers in one box
Ultra low noise design with 3 layer shielding
Super advanced PCB technology with 4 layer design and full shielding
Zero vibration design with a 10 mm copper platform with extra layer of EMC and RFI shielding
5 selectable MC loading impedances - user-switchable on the flight (without pops)
Possibility of custom order input impedance for particular cartridge
Cool NIXIE display for load setting identification
Muting function for needle cleaning, headshell change or simply arm cue in on the record.
Principle of operation: passive step up signal transformer, no tubes.
MM phono compatibility (next amplification/RIAA unit): 47k Ohm input/output.(tubed as well as solid state).
Both inputs and outputs by request can be configured as XLR with appropriate windings (not a fake one-phase)

Technical specs:

Voltage amplification ratio: 8 or 16, factory selectable by order. Default = 16
Number of load settings: 5
Load defaults: 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 Ohms
Power supply: user selectable 115/230(240) V AC @ 10 Watts
Box dimensions [W x H x D ] 430 x 130 x 330 [mm]
Net weight / shipping gross : 6 kg / 9 kg
Available front colors: anodized black, anodized satin silver, champagne, custom RAL

User opinion: “combined with my top notch MM phono, the Lampizator SUT-A allowed me to use MC cartridges that I could not use before. The resulting sound is nothing short of phenomenal: spacious, 3-dimensional, dynamic and detailed. I hear micro nuances not heard ever before. This investment has taken my vinyl rig to another level.”

MSRP 1990 Eu plus VAT in EU

Lampizator Vinyl Phono MC2 (flagship phono product) (Nov 01. 2020)

The Lampizator Vinyl Phono MC2 is at the time of writing the pinnacle of RIAA Pre-Preamplifier design from Lampizator. The MM1 / MM2 / MC1 product were so successful, that we decided to take the hard path of offering the ultimate convenience flagship product for the die hard "three arm" vinyl maniacs. Or who knows - three table guys, perhaps.

It is a result of long research that we took regarding the feasibility of creating the no compromise Phonostage that is worthy of our reputation in DACs.

There were some basic criteria which we thought are important, namely:

One box solution, elegant and bold

No silicon
MC and MM inputs combined in one design

All 3 inputs RCA and XLR, also outputs fully balanced XLR's as well as SE RCA's

Tube dual diode rectified PSU
Pentode regulated PSU
Tube stages for input and output, SEPARATE CIRCUITS for MM and MC (dedicated design to each task)
No negative feedback
Premium parts
User switchable input loads for MC (low - normal - high)

MUTE function

Basic Specifications MC2:

Inputs: One stereo MM input (RCA) and two stereo MC inputs (RCA and XLR each)

Outputs: One stereo RCA output with < 1Kohm output impedance, one XLR stereo output with <1k per phase impedance

Amplification factor: Total of 3200x, (70 dB)

Cartridge compatibility: Moving Coil MC and Moving Magnet MM

Number of input load settings: 5 for MC, 1 for MM input

Output level on average music material: 2V pp

Output headroom: 10x

Power consumption: 60W

AC mains: 110/115/220/230V AC / 50 - 60Hz

Tube compliment: 4 x 6N2P-B, 4Xecc803, 2x 6N6P, 1x5881 or EL34, 1X6X5, 1 x Nixie

Shelf footprint: 43x51 cm (W x D)

Total height clearance: 13 cm

Weight (net / shipping gross): 17 kg / 25 kg (19/27 with copper)

Power supply: fully linear, 150 Watt, fully regulated for every consumption point.

Paid options: Copper top, spare kit of tubes.

MSRP 9900 Euro plus VAT in Europe

Lampizator Vinyl Phono SILVER LINE (Nov 21. 2020)

The Lampizator Vinyl Phono MC line has been enriched by the addition of silver wired transformers. Such ultra expensive and radical solution is very rare and exotic, while offering the best signal transparency and magical purity, that can be appreciated on very revealing top end systems. To this end we decided to add some equally exotic solutions that would make the whole "package" of our ultimate offering. This affects only the MC products - not the MM ()where no SUT is used)

MC SUT-A-Silver

MC1 SILVER

MC2 SILVER

What you get in the silver package:

- silver SUT on an amorphous core

- all copper / wax capacitors in the signal path

- copper top of the chassis

- pure copper frame / subchassis for the ultimate electromagnetic silence

- NOS tubes (according to availability - the best we can find)

- flight case custom made for a given product

Vinyl Phono SILVER LINE - internal PICTURES