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Phono stage w/automatic Load-Impedanance.

Yes, automatic load impedance! The WLM PHONATA offers very high dynamics as a result of its very special design (see below)

A few years ago i purchased a slightly used demo unit from Australia. It was reasonable priced (mint- condition) WLM PHONATA reference MM/MC phono stage from respected WLM Acoustic brand (made in Europe). I use it since that day in my system.

a picture of the wlm phonata linked below:
http://audioaddiction.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Phonata_3XL.jpg
http://audioaddiction.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Phonata_4XL.jpg

When i bought mine demo it was newly released and totally different for previous WLM model (which was a smaller tube stage). The reference WLM Photana is not a tube stage. I'm not sure what's happened after, but probably it was not widely distributed, maybe they made first run and stop the production of this nice unit. They never updates their own website with info about this new unit. It's impossibe to find any reviews online and i assumed there are not so many users.

I wonder if anyone on AudioGon aware of this ice nproduct. I'm sure most of you familiar with amazing range of WLM speakers and different Tube Amps.

But do you know anything about WLM Photana Referense Phono Stage MM/MC ? It has some interesting features such as AUTOMATIC LOAD IMPEDANCE and 2 RIAA CURVES. It comprises pinnacle circuitry and design features that have never been realized before.

The PHONATA works with two-stage amplification:

• An inductive voltage amplification stage (for MC cartridges) using high
performance professional audio step-up transformers.

• A solid state current amplification stage, using specific MOS-FET transistors with tube-typical harmonic distortion characteristics.

The PHONATA offers utterly precise RIAA equalization:

• RIAA equalization is implemented across two amplification stages (within current amplification), providing a frequency expansion from 10Hz to 50kHz (Subsonic cut below 10Hz). Selected components (1% tolerance) are used.

• RIAA equalization can be selected from two positions with a switch at the back of the unit:

- Position “high” for records produced before 1965 or to improve the performance of somewhat “darker” sounding cartridges at higher frequencies. This position provides +3dB equalization as from 5kHz and +6dB as from 10kHz.

- Position “low” for all other records The PHONATA offers automatic adjustment of Load-Impedance:

• You don’t have to adjust the load-Impedance of your cartridge (plus the interconnect-cable between cartridge and Phono-Preamplifier). It goes automatically thanks to one ingenious piece of circuitry.

• You don’t have to adjust the source voltage of your cartridge as well.

• There are no micro-switches or any other mechanical contacts in the signal-path.

Technical Data:

MC-Input Impedance Range: < 100 Ohm to 50kOhm
MM-Input Capacity: 100pF
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) @ 1kHz: 0.01%
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) MC: >72dB
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) MM: >85dB
Max. Input Voltage for MC-cartridges (theoretical value): 1200mV @ <1% THD
High Performance, Professional Type Step-Up Transformers.
128x128chakster
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
The Phonata works very well between 25 - 100 ohm cartridges. Only very low impedance cartridges like classic SPU or modern ZYX sounds better with sut or pre-pre (headamp).

Manufacturer recommend the MM input with an step-up transformer for the very low impedance carts. My headamp is Zyx CPP-1.

For cartridges with 25-100 impadance range i use Phonata MC input, my Argetnt MC500HS sounds fantastic with this phono stage.

But i would like to know who else on agon use this stage?
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
i prefer mc stages with no sut.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Czarivey, that's why i have Zyx CPP-1 (26db) which is not a sut, but a decent headamp. In this case i use only MM input in WLM Phonata and ZYX CPP-1 provide extra gain. But not for all cartridges it's a better solution.

Arthur Salvatore @ high-endaudio.com said:
“This is, most likely, the finest head-amp I’ve ever heard. I state this because it is competitive with the finest transformers I’ve had, while all the many other (external) head-amps I’ve heard are simply not in that league."
bpoletti
1,556 posts
 
Czarivey - I'm with you. No SUT, just a silent high-gain mc input stage.

Chakster - Are you in any way associated with the company or designer that produces this unit?
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Bpoletti, absolutely not, i'm just a user of both products from two different companies and i paid for both units ( i do not sell them and i'm not ever reviewer). I use several different cartridges and found the "Automatic Load-Impedance" an interesting option. Would like to hear feebdacks/thoughts from agon members. Or maybe about any other MC/MM stage with "Automatic Load-Impedance" option ?

After few years of using WLM i just noticed this stage is under radar which is very strange, their speakers and tube ams are well known.
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