SOTA Pyxi MM/MC Phonostage

Description

Sota Turntables has teamed up with Wyn Palmer and Bill of Phoenix Engineering to create qualified, ultra-low noise phonostages that perform with predictable results.

The first phonostage to be released is the Pyxi Phonostage and performs well above the price point. Detail extraction is improved with the Pyxi due to the extreme low noise floor that was designed into this phonostage. Balancing the two sides of the phonostage to match in real-world conditions is crucial to great sound downstream. If the phonostage is not designed to match utilizing tight toleranced parts on both right and left channels then the output will always be compromised. We overcome this problem by specifying 1% resistors in the design to ensure consistent performance.

We quality check every Pyxi board to ensure that tight tolerances remain for every Pyxi. When we ship you a Pyxi it has been gone through and proven the RIAA curve is flat as the design intent was. The amount of time in design and quality assurance means you are receiving a very impressive phonostage that will not bloat in the midrange, or any part of the sound spectrum.

SPECIFICATIONS

MC

Input sensitivity: 250 µV rms @ 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
Rated output specified at 12 dB above sensitivity (1 mV rms, 1 kHz) to capture signal dynamics.
Gain: 65 dB @ 1 kHz.
Rated output: 1.8 V rms. Rated peak 3dB higher.
THD: < 0.0002% @ 1 kHz, 1 mV rms input, <0.0003% @ 10 kHz, 10 mV rms input.
IMD: < 0.002% CCIF 20 kHz/19 kHz 1:1 measured at rated output.
S/N ratio: 82 dBA, relative to 1 mV rms @ 1 kHz. Shorted input.
Hum levels: > 96 dB below rated output, shorted inputs.
RIAA compliance: 20 Hz – 20 kHz: within 0.15 dB p-p.
Input overload levels, nominal gain @ 1 kHz: 5.5 mV rms (27 dB relative to input sensitivity)

MM

Input sensitivity: 2.5 mV rms @ 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
Rated output specified at 12 dB above sensitivity (10 mV rms, 1 kHz) to capture signal dynamics.
Gain: 45 dB @ 1 kHz.
Rated output: 1.8 V rms. Rated peak 3dB higher.
THD: < 0.0002% @ 1 kHz, 10 mV rms input, < 0.001% @ 10 kHz, 100 mV rms input
IMD: < 0.003% CCIF 20 kHz/19 kHz 1:1 measured at rated output.
S/N ratio: 98 dBA, relative to 10 mV rms @ 1 kHz input. Shorted input.
78 dBA, relative to 10 mV rms @ 1 kHz, 1.3 kΩ in series with 500 mH across input. Load representative of typical (e.g Shure V15 III) MM cartridges.
Hum levels: > 96 dB below rated output, shorted input.
RIAA compliance: 20 Hz – 20 kHz: within 0.15 dB p-p.
Input overload level, nominal gain @ 1 kHz: 55 mV rms (27 dB relative to input sensitivity)

Other Features

Output impedance: 50 Ω single ended.
Channel matching: better than 0.1 dB @ 1 kHz.
Channel separation: better than 80 dB @ 1 kHz.
DC offset: < 10 mV.
Bandwidth: 0 to -3 dB: < 1 Hz – 150 kHz.
1% metal film resistors used throughout, with 0.1% in the critical gain and RIAA stages, together with 1% capacitors.
C0G capacitors used in the signal path- with measured distortion and dielectric absorption equivalent to Polypropylene capacitors.
Low offset, phase corrected DC feedback loop eliminates the need for coupling capacitors while reducing DC peaking in the RIAA characteristic.
No digital. All analog implementation, including linear supply regulators.
Power consumption: < 5 W active, 0.1 W in standby.