Phono Stages

Hegel Music Systems

Hegel V10

This is a new product from Hegel known for excellent amplifiers with built-in DACS, and a superb CD player. A new venture for them into the world of vinyl replay with phono stage based on a personal design from the owner/designer. 

The V10 will cater for both MM and MC cartridges. The signal path is mostly in the balanced domain and only separated at the output stages. It has an unbalanced RCA output and a balanced XLR output. There are also two separate inputs for either MM or MC cartridges.

There is a series of micro dip switches for gain and loading for each channel. For MC cartridges, there are 100 ohm and 300 ohm setting with an internal variable adjustment for more fine tuning of loading for individual cartridge preferences. This variable loading setting is best done by the dealer. 

The external power supply is a large than average wall-wart style with 2 separate 18V feeds to dual connector to the chassis.

The sound is as we have come to expect from Hegel one of elegance. Very natural tonal balance with no hint of brightness, overall an exceptionally smooth sound. The particularly low noise level provides very quiet backgrounds and a transparent sense of space and ambience facilitating a deep holographic presentation of the stage. Playing well recorded LPs shows greater insight into the performance, with the ability to separate images well and reveal nuances. This level of sound quality would normally be expected with a more expensive product.

Hegel Music Systems website »

Soulnote Audio

Soulnote is a high-end audio brand from CSR Inc., headquartered in Kanagawa, Japan. CSR was founded in 2004 by the former members of Marantz Japan bringing much in-house expertise.

Hideki Kato, Soulnote’s ‘Chief Sound Manager’ since 2016, has been working in high-end audio since late 1980s, having been deeply involved in the development of the legendary products from NEC and Philips.

During his long career, Kato has designed both digital and analogue equipment. One question kept bugging him, which was why something which measured better on the scope did not necessarily translate into improved audio quality. Indeed, he found the opposite to be true in some cases. During our evaluation of products over many years, when deciding on products for our curated portfolio, we have often found this to be the case. Technical specifications and scientific measurements tell you nothing about sound.

 Kato believes in listening to develop, not in just electronic design on paper. This focus on listening moves from the circuit and parts, to the chassis development too, where Soulnote have some innovative technologies including floating housings. All driven by the sonic advantages they bring not just the aesthetics.

Kato is pushing for what he calls, ‘Dynamic Performance’. Through his listening tests, he has developed products with NOS (non-oversampling) mode for PCM Playback in their DACs, as well as Zero Negative Feedback designs in their amplifiers. Both of these technologies lower measured performance, but to the ear they produce much better dynamic performance and listening enjoyment. Soulnote believe that the timing of the impulse is all important, as is the recovery of the impulse. The use of their technologies enables the fastest signal possible, and thus the best timing.

Soulnote products

All of the Soulnote’s series of products share a very similar chassis design and size within each range for a very cohesive system look. All components are available in silver or back anodised aluminium.

Soulnote Series 1 components have a thick, milled front panels but conventional basic chassis to the top, bottom and rear.

Soulnote Series 2 units are built from milled aluminium panels on all sides, as well an introduction to their floating chassis technology.

Soulnote Series 3 units are built with absolutely no compromise. As well as milled panels, it incorporates all of their floating-chassis technology: top and bottom panels, along with the input and output sockets.

The Soulnote E2 Phono Equaliser is a bit of a unicorn in the marketplace as it allows the use of, Moving Magnet, Moving Coil, as well as DS Audio Optical Cartridges to be used in one chassis. We are strong advocates for the DS Audio cartridge concept as can be seen elsewhere in the Vinyl Replay section.

The E2 allows the use of multiple cartridges inputs such as those wishing to use MM and MC cartridges in separate tone arms on the same turntable.

The E2 will also allow for switching between many different recording curves used by the various labels over the years - a list of which is provided with the unit – as well as the standard RIAA.

Our listening tests we found the E2 to be a very rhythmic performer. It has a fluid delivery where timing and dynamics are excellent. Bass has good extension and high frequencies are delivered with a delicate airy nature. The overall tonal balance is neutral to very slightly warm in character.

This Phono equaliser is one of the best sounding phono stages on the market, is exceptionally versatile offering the vinyl enthusiast the ability to optimise the sound capabilities of any cartridge.

We have yet to evaluate the E-1 Phono Equaliser and will report more in due course.



E-250 Phono pre-amplifier

The E-250 is the latest compact phono pre- amplifier from LUXMAN, taking the best in design from its predecessor the E-200 that has been the reference for phono equaliser amplifiers since its release in 2008. A newly added function to the E-250 is the switching capability of load impedance and load capacity to optimise the cartridge characteristics. The E-250 allows the listener to adjust the fine settings for every performance, should this be required, depending on the age of performance and recording styles.

The E-250 features a step-up transformer with a 2 stage gain selection function with independent L/R super permalloy cores, which supports even low impedance MC cartridges. This creates a rich and expressive sound that is only possible by using step-up transformers.

The rear panel houses a load impedance selector (34k/47k/56k/100kΩ) and a load capacity selector (0p/100p/220p/320pF) to match the characteristics of the cartridge optimising its full potential.

The E-250 power supply circuit with its large capacitance and regulator circuits also features LUXMAN’s original round pattern board for the smooth transmission of the delicate signals.

There is an articulation function designed to demagnetize the cartridge and the MC transformer using the signal current of music. Magnetisation of the cartridge causes the sound quality to deteriorate. The articulation function helps to restore the cartridge to its original characteristics and maintain sound quality at a maximum level.

There are two unbalanced inputs and one unbalanced out.

EQ-500 Valve Phono Pre-amplifier

THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. We await news of potential replacement product but this cannot be guaranteed at the moment.

All stages of the EQ-500 are vacuum tube which are manufactured by JJ Electronic in Slovakia and have a reputation for high quality and superior performance. Gold plated ceramic tube sockets are used for their solidity and low contact resistance.

A stable voltage is supplied to the amplification circuit using a rectifying tube and a choke coil. For the 1st and 2nd stages a SRPP (Shunt Regulated Push-Pull) circuit is used which features low impedance, low distortion and prolongs the life of vacuum tubes. For the final stage a cathode follower parallel circuit is used with the ability to lower impedance further.

The excellent sound quality of the CR circuit, which is exceptionally linear, is a direct result of the quality and accuracy of the parts used. To protect minute analogue signals from noise and magnetic field interference, the main sections of the EQ-500 are strongly shielded via a loopless chassis design.

The EQ-500 is equipped with the circuit technology and musical character of its predecessor, the E-06, first launched in the 1980’s. The E-06 is still a highly respected masterpiece of the CR type of technology. This circuit technology has been newly improved in the EQ-500 and uses vacuum tubes for all the amplifier stages maintaining the spirit of analogue sound from the vinyl disc.

A large output transformer as well as MC step up transformers all play a critical role in determining the sound quality and performance. They are made of super permalloy that particularly enhances the response to small signals. In addition, 4 separate MC step up transformers are included for MC-HIGH, MC-LOW, right and left channel independently.

Mundorf coupling capacitors have been chosen for the EQ-500 world renowned for their ‘Audiophile’ tonal quality. Luxman custom-built components are abundant in the design of the EQ-500 ensuring the ultimate in sound quality and reliability for each circuit which uses OFC internal wiring.

The EQ-500 offers 6 load capacity selections which can be combined with the load impedance selection function (30k to 100k ohms continuously variable) so that the full potential of the cartridge can be exploited.

There is an articulation function designed to demagnetize the cartridge and the MC transformer using the signal current of music. Magnetisation of the cartridge causes the sound quality to deteriorate. The articulation function helps to restore the cartridge to its original characteristics and maintain sound quality at a maximum level.

All main control functions can be operated from the front panel of the EQ-500. Stylish analogue VU meters with a sensitivity selection switch monitor the output levels enhancing the camera finish white front panel. There are 3 unbalanced inputs; 2 unbalanced and 1 balanced outputs.

Luxman website »