absolute phono

The world's first active headshell moving coil phonostage

A tiny circuit board installed in the headshell of the tonearm amplifies the highly sensitive output signal from the cartridge at its source. As a result, the signal to noise ratio is improved by approximately ten decibels across the entire audio bandwidth.

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Features

Product specifications

Clearaudio's absolute phono is the world's first active headshell moving coil phonostage. A tiny circuit board installed in the headshell of the tonearm amplifies the highly sensitive output signal from the cartridge at its source. Now the delicate signal only has to travel a few millimeters rather than along the usual 1-2 metres of internal and external arm wiring before being amplified to a more resilient level. This amplified signal then passes to the specially designed main RIAA phonostage, along a signal path free of the usual relays and coupling capacitors, which again enables a more clean, pure and accurate sound. The signal is then equalized and fed to both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs, each with its own output driver to ensure the utmost fidelity. The result? The signal to noise ratio is improved by approximately ten decibels across the entire audio spectrum.

The absolute phono is built without compromise, incorporating an anti-resonance sandwich construction machined from solid blocks of aluminium and panzerholz wood. The sophisticated power supply, located in a separate chassis, keeps mains interference to a minimum. Hand-selected state-of-the-art nonmagnetic silver Clearaudio Glimmer capacitors positioned at key areas of the circuit further ensure excellent clarity and purity of sound. A single multi-function switch for 'On', 'Off' and 'Mute' modes ensures a sleek finish.
The absolute phono is suitable for all Clearaudio tonearms and is designed to work perfectly with any moving coil cartridge from any manufacturer. This is ensured due to the selected current amplification control which eliminates the need to set the correct load resistance and load capacitance. The optimum operating condition is always set automatically.

Total weight

3.25 kg (Preamplifier)
3.20 kg (Power supply)

Dimensions

Preamplifier

Width
9.45 inches
Depth
6.30 inches
Height
2.56 inches

 

Power supply

Width
9.45 inches
Depth
6.30 inches
Height
2.56 inches

Material/color

Silver and black aluminium

Technical specifications
Mode: MC mode
Amplification: 60dB
Input load: 500kΩ
THD: < 0.001%
Signal to noise ratio: 90dB (A-weighted)
Headroom:  + 23dB
RIAA: RIAA standard, deviation less than 0.1dB
Channel seperation: 100dB
Output impedance: 64Ω (balanced XLR)
32Ω (unbalanced RCA)
Inputs: D-Sub
Outputs: unbalanced (RCA)
balanced (XLR)
Power consumption: Consumption in operation: 3.2 watts
Off mode: 0.0 watts
Power supply: Switching power supply
Input: 100 - 265V AC / 50 - 60Hz
Total weight preamplifier:  Approx. 3.25kg
Total weight power supply: Approx. 3.20kg
Dimensions preamplifier (W/D/H): Approx. 240 × 160 × 65mm
Dimensions preamplifier (W/D/H): Approx. 9.45 × 6.30 × 2.56 inches
Dimensions power supply (W/D/H): Approx. 240 × 160 × 65mm
Dimensions power supply (W/D/H): Approx. 9.45 × 6.30 × 2.56 inches
Manufacturer's warranty: 5 years*
User manuals
reviews & awards
Awards & Nominations

Award winning technology

Reviews - previews - press comments

What the papers say

This raises the bar in future to a level that is unlikely to be bettered.

Roland Kraft
Fidelity Magazine

[...] a state-of-the-art product [...]

Cai Brockmann
Fidelity Magazine

On balance Clearaudio's absolute phono is likely to be the most logical and well-thought-out solution for this task. [..] The resultant massive improvement in dynamic range – Clearaudio mentions a figure of ten decibels – is immediately audible and comes across as clear as crystal. This raises the bar in future to a level that is unlikely to be bettered.

Roland Kraft
Fidelity Magazine

There is no doubt that this analog ensemble possesses genuinely stunning monitor qualities coupled with unerring drive, which conveys an overall impression of superior capability.

Cai Brockmann
Fidelity Magazine

Groove noise and other audio defects de facto hardly have an impact any more.

Cai Brockmann
Fidelity Magazine

the courage to develop new solutions is peaking in perfection.

Stefan Schickedanz
AUDIO
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