CDP132 MM/MC Phono Stage

The CDP132 is our long awaited successor to our “entry level” CDP122 RIAA line level phono stage. It is compatible with both MM (moving magnet) and MC (moving coil) cartridges .

The CDP132 has a completely re-designed MM section featuring a passive RIAA dual stage filter with no feedback using junction field effect transistors (JFets) designed specifically for low level, low noise analogue signal handling.

The CDP132 also has a very low power requirement which also helps to lower the noise floor and is below the “standby” power requirements set by the UK and EU standards so the CDP132 can be left powered continuously which keeps the CDP132 in the optimum musical condition whenever you want to use it.

The MC front end uses a very low noise semiconductor current to voltage converter (sometimes called a “current” or “trans-impedance” amplifier) designed specifically for MC input rather than gain switching, These types of MC input are normally only seen on “Premium” phono stages .

The design of the MC front end also eliminates the need for input resistor and capacitor switching as the “current amplifier” will always present the perfect load to the MC cartridge.

Unlike other phono stages using DIP switches (which were never designed to carry very low level analogue signals) we use movable gold plated links on the PCB to switch from MM to MC.

Likewise MM cartridges are all designed for a standard load resistance (47k) and capacitance so DIP switches are not required. Adding capacitance became popular as it can boost treble frequencies but this is artificial (like tone controls) and has no place in the RIAA specification.

DC power is filtered inside the CDP132 to lessen the effects of power supply noise enabling the use of a simple plug top power supply for good musical results most users.

We are working on a pure filtered analogue power supply for our phono stages but so far the internal DC filter in the CDP132 has made it very difficult for us to notice any difference between any power supply upgrade and the simple basic power supply.

As standard the CDP132 features a 4mm thick extruded aluminium case, a copper screened rear panel and our unique “artificial stone” front panel, resulting in an incredibly strong robust unit that should give the music lover many years of faithful service.

Like all Nytech equipment the CDP132 is designed to be repairable if the unthinkable should happen and the unit develops a fault.

Phono Stage gain

40dB (MM) 50 to 60dB (MC)
(MC gain is set at factory)

S/N ratio (inputs shorted)

MM = -60dBu (775uV RMS)
-80dB ref to maximum output
MC = -63dBu (1400uV RMS)
-77dB ref to maximum output

Connectors

Phono (RCA jack) – input and output
3mm terminal post for turntable earth
DC power connector

DC power requirements

24V DC 60 mA