The quality of the audio signal is paramount, especially for turntable enthusiasts who cherish the rich, warm sound of vinyl. Enter the PhonoARAY, an innovative standalone filtering solution designed to elevate the performance of turntables while providing maximum protection against external interference.
The PhonoARAY allows users to effectively earth or ground their turntables to either the phono stage or the phono input on amplifiers. This connection is crucial for safeguarding the highly sensitive audio signals that vinyl playback generates. At the heart of the PhonoARAY’s design is a hand-wound, ultra-high-current series filter that links both terminals, complemented by a sophisticated proprietary ARAY system connected in parallel. This unique configuration forms a double ‘virtual earth system’ for both the turntable and phono stage, ensuring that delicate signals remain shielded from external noise and interference.
Exceptional Sound Quality
The result of this innovative engineering is cleaner, more detailed sound reproduction that allows audiophiles to experience their music as it was intended. By minimizing electromagnetic interference that can affect turntable performance, the PhonoARAY maximizes signal integrity, making it an essential addition to any vinyl setup.
Versatile Connections
The PhonoARAY features two high-quality 4 mm speaker-style terminals that accommodate both 4 mm banana and spade connections. It connects the earth terminal of the turntable (or tonearm) to the earth terminal of the phono stage or amplifier phono input using a dedicated high-quality 50 cm screened earth cable, which features a 4 mm connector on one end and a spade connector on the other.
Notably, the PhonoARAY is compatible with a variety of turntable configurations, including those with or without built-in phono stages. For setups with external phono stages, users can add a second PhonoARAY to connect the phono stage earth to the amplifier earth, further enhancing the system’s grounding and signal integrity.
Durable and Efficient Design
Constructed from a thick-walled enclosure machined from solid aluminium billet, the PhonoARAY provides excellent electrical and acoustic isolation. The resin filling within the enclosure serves to further reduce microphony, ensuring that external vibrations do not interfere with sound quality. Additionally, the lightweight, decoupled isolation feet are designed to minimize vibrations, making the PhonoARAY an effective shield against unwanted noise.
A Legacy of Innovation
With over 40 years of experience in minimizing the impact of external interference in audio systems, the Chord Company has established itself as a leader in signal protection. From pioneering shielding technology in the late 1990s and early 2000s to developing proprietary systems like GroundARAY and PowerARAY, the Chord Company continues to innovate. The PhonoARAY is a testament to their commitment to excellence in audio performance.
