Phono preamp

The Atom Phono is a powerful RIAA phono preamp that doubles as a transparent equaliser. It can work as a simple equaliser, a phono preamp, both at once, or neither! Its adjustable gain (30 or 40 dB) delivers more output than the phono stages built into integrated amplifiers. It is also far more accurate, with vanishingly low noise and distortion. The Atom Phono gives you exactly what you need from a phono preamp, and more. It is designed to fit into your existing vinyl setup or alongside other Atom series units.

Tone control

The Atom Phono's 2-band equaliser is a low-noise adaptation of a Baxandall-type circuit. It is designed to deliver deeper bass and sparkling treble. This equaliser is very transparent and does not affect the performance of the particularly neutral phono stage. You can also bypass it completely.

Dual gain

The Atom Phono offers selectable gain of 30 dB or 40 dB. At 40 dB, a standard 15 mV moving magnet (MM) cartridge is amplified to more than 1.5 VRMS. That is about 4 times more output than a typical phono preamp!

Subsonic filter

A subsonic filter based on the NJM5532 prevents low-frequency noise from the turntable from being amplified and sent to your amp and speakers. It helps improve audio clarity and avoids unwanted speaker cone movement at very low frequencies.

Low noise

The Atom Phono achieves remarkably low noise for a phono preamp, even at high gain.

Technical specifications

Dimensions

• Enclosure dimensions (mm, with knobs): 145 x 132 x 35 mm
• Weight: 482 g

Configuration

• Inputs/outputs: RCA
• Phono gain: 30 and 40 dB
• Phono input impedance: 51.9k, 100pF

Phono performance

• SINAD at 1 kHz, 15 mV: 90 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 89 dB
• Noise (low gain, A-weighted): 5 µV
• Crosstalk at 10 kHz: -82 dB
• SMPTE ratio: -87 dB
• Dynamic range: 96 dB

Tone section specifications (2-band equaliser)

• SINAD at 1 kHz, 2 VRMS, knobs centred: 110 dB
• Noise, knobs centred: 3.8 µV
• Frequency response, knobs centred: 20-20 kHz +/- 0.13 dB
• Bass - adjustment range: +14 to -23 dB
• Bass - corner frequency: ~150 Hz
• Treble - adjustment range: +13 to -22 dB
• Treble - corner frequency: ~2 kHz

Included

• Atom Phono
• 15 VAC power supply