Phono preamp Hanss Acoustics PA-23
In appearance would not say that the PA-23 - Model Entry Level. Small box nice to pick up - it moderately heavy, has no sharp corners and is made to be extremely accurate. The bottom and top cover with wide bevels machined from a 10 millimeter aluminum billet and anodized black sidewalls have a thickness of 15 mm. The case is assembled without a "nail", no fasteners are not visible.
One obvious compromise this model - powered by low-power AC adapter. Although not the fact that it is a disadvantage. In the end, a step-down transformer placed outside the body, as it should be in long-term structures, and only dispose of 17 volts at a current of 200 mA can be different. In our case, there is a voltage doubler rectifier, which is stabilized and is divided into the "plus"/"minus" to power operational amplifiers. Tract MM is built on a low-noise chip LF353N, and in MC mode signal is pre-amplified with a cascade of field-effect transistors 2SK117.
Inputs are common to both types of heads, the necessary parameters are set button MM/MC. Input impedance is optimal for most cartridges - 47 ohms and 200 ohms, respectively. Of course, the impossibility of exact matching of the head with a corrector is a minus, but the lack of switches in the input circuit is definitely a plus.
RCA jacks interesting, in catalogs of manufacturers such connectors are commonly referred Jewelry Type, with a cut-thumb.
Once again came up with the analogy between designing audio and gastronomy - of the same ingredients in different chefs turn out quite unlike taste dishes. With a fairly standard circuitry and range of parts, and used by other manufacturers in PA-23 individual sound handwriting recognizable no matter what it is connected to the head. This, above all, clear, light middle, full of tonal nuances, and the clear, delicate top. Thanks to the latter circumstance, the attention is not particularly focused on random defects plate. The intrinsic noise of the corrector is also noticeable, although the claimed signal/noise ratio of -95 dB is absolutely unreal, it can only be obtained in the simulator, in practice, this value can only be achieved in a CD-player. The passport PA-23 does not provide its overload capacity, but judging by the way passed a sharp blow to the plates, with this case is all right. And the sharp clicks played dry without noise plume precursor overload the amplifier stages.
Tonal balance as a whole seems a bit, shifted up, but it's oddly enough, did not affect the balance sheet music. No tool, no one group of the London Symphony is not accentuated, harmonious sound, solid and very musical. Clearly drawn parts of the second plan, all stereo recording "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" if placed on shelves. Space does not differ a record depth, but built correctly.
Listening to records can be long - checker is tiring. He sang with organically tube amp, and the sound does not become dry or flat, as is often the case when you try such a hybridization.
