Sota Pyxi MM/MC Phono Stage (preamp)
The Sota Pyxi phono stage (preamp) brings musical beauty and revelation to your ears. Separation, framing, and layering of instruments and detail are live-like and natural sounding. Soundstage definition is superb in height, length and width. I've been around many phono preamps, turntables and records so I discern differences very easily. The Pyxi astounds and surpasses many phono preamps six times (6X) its price.
If you're contemplating buying or upgrading a phono stage in the $1,000-3,000 range, I suggest you stop your search and buy the Pyxi instead. You'll rediscover the sheer joy of music without the accompanying buyer's remorse.
Specifications?
Specifications won't show you how it sounds. Only your experience with the Pyxi will. Nevertheless, looking at the specs after listening to the Pyxi helps you
understand why its resolution, pacing, and detail are special. It's a $300 investment that pays a handsome dividend everytime you listen to your records. What else can you ask for?
Fries?
SPECIFICATIONS
MC
- Input sensitivity: 250 µV rms @ 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
Rated output specified at 12 dB above sensitivity (1 mV rms, 1 kHz) to capture
signal dynamics.
- Gain: 65 dB @ 1 kHz.
Rated output: 1.8 V rms. Rated peak 3dB higher.
- THD: < 0.0002% @ 1 kHz, 1 mV rms input, <0.0003% @ 10 kHz, 10 mV rms
input.
- IMD: < 0.002% CCIF 20 kHz/19 kHz 1:1 measured at rated output.
- S/N ratio: 82 dBA, relative to 1 mV rms @ 1 kHz. Shorted input.
- Hum levels: > 96 dB below rated output, shorted inputs.
RIAA compliance: 20 Hz - 20 kHz: within 0.15 dB p-p.
Input overload levels, nominal gain @ 1 kHz: 5.5 mV rms (27 dB relative to input
sensitivity)
MM
- Input sensitivity: 2.5 mV rms @ 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.
Rated output specified at 12 dB above sensitivity (10 mV rms, 1 kHz) to capture
signal dynamics.
- Gain: 45 dB @ 1 kHz.
Rated output: 1.8 V rms. Rated peak 3dB higher.
- THD: < 0.0002% @ 1 kHz, 10 mV rms input, < 0.001% @ 10 kHz, 100 mV
rms input
- IMD: < 0.003% CCIF 20 kHz/19 kHz 1:1 measured at rated output.
- S/N ratio: 98 dBA, relative to 10 mV rms @ 1 kHz input. Shorted input.
78 dBA, relative to 10 mV rms @ 1 kHz, 1.3 kΩ in series with 500 mH across
input. Load representative of typical (e.g Shure V15 III) MM cartridges.
Hum levels: > 96 dB below rated output, shorted input.
- RIAA compliance: 20 Hz - 20 kHz: within 0.15 dB p-p.
Input overload level, nominal gain @ 1 kHz: 55 mV rms (27 dB relative to
input sensitivity)
- Output impedance: 50 Ω single ended.
- Channel matching: better than 0.1 dB @ 1 kHz.
- Channel separation: better than 80 dB @ 1 kHz.
- DC offset: < 10 mV. Bandwidth: 0 to -3 dB: < 1 Hz - 150 kHz.
- 1% metal film resistors used throughout, with 0.1% in the critical gain and RIAA stages, together with 1% capacitors.
- C0G capacitors used in the signal path- with measured distortion and dielectric absorption equivalent to Polypropylene capacitors. Low offset, phase corrected DC feedback loop eliminates the need for coupling capacitors while reducing DC peaking in the RIAA characteristic. No digital. All analog implementation, including linear supply regulators.
- Power consumption: < 5 W active, 0.1 W in standby