The development of the AH! MM/MC RIAA phonostage was the result of the fact that more and more
line-preamps and integrated amps entered the market. Vinyl could no longer be
used as a source with these amps. We investigated what was available in the
market. We found that only in the very low price-range some lower-quality models
were available -Monacor, Altai- and in the price-range over Hfl 1,000.-. As still some of our customers wanted to be
able to enjoy their record-collection without investing in a high-priced
phonostage, the AH! Phonostage was designed and built. We decided we wanted to
have a fairly good phono-stage for MM and MC with adjustable impedance.
Something like you find in the very best integrated amps.
The phonostage is actually the total of 3 stages. Stage 1 handles the MC
preamplification, Stage 2 the first part of the RIAA curve and Stage 3 the
second part of the RIAA curve. In the standard phonostage the amplification is
handled by 6 OP37 opamps. We also have a higher-quality version in which we use
4 AD797 and 2 OP37 opamps. The AD797 opamps handle the MC preamplification and
the first part of theRIAA curve. This version is far more quiet and soundwise
very well balanced. The output is AC coupled with Philips-Siemens MKT
capacitors. In- and outputs are goldplated RCA's. Both units work with an
external wallsocket powersupply. The standardversion is priced at HFL 350,-,
while the special version is priced at HFL 450,-. Prices include 17.5% Dutch
salestax.