REFERENCE LEVEL CONRAD-JOHNSON ART PHONO PHONOSTAGE LAUNCHED

The Conrad-Johnson ART Phono is the American brand’s new reference phonostage.

Conrad-Johnson Design has introduced a reference quality phonostage to accompany the ART88 line stage preamplifier. Like the ART88, the Conrad-Johnson ART Phono will be available in a limited edition of 250 units.

CONRAD-JOHNSON ART PHONO

The Conrad-Johnson ART Phono is very closely related to the ART88 in appearance, circuitry, and execution. Like the line stage unit, the phono stage is essentially a dual-mono unit with the two channels sharing only a power transformer and the chassis.

TRIODE GAIN STAGES

In the ART Phono, the circuit for each channel consists of two triode gain stages utilizing paralleled sections of 12AX7A twin-triode vacuum tubes coupled to the output through a buffer stage incorporating paralleled sections of a 12AU7/6189 twin-triode for low output impedance. Each channel is provided with two independent discrete regulated DC power supplies, one for the input gain stage, and one for the second gain stage and buffer stage.

The ART Phono is equipped with two phono inputs, one providing 53 dB of gain and featuring variable capacitive and resistive loading, and one available either with 47.5 kOhm fixed loading and 53 dB of gain, or optionally available with a step-up transformer for 63 dB of gain, with 46 Ohm load.

CJD TEFLON CAPACITORS

Conrad-Johnson proprietary CJD Teflon capacitors and Vishay metal foil resistors are used throughout the audio circuit and for the regulated plate voltage power supply. I/O connectors are machined from oxygen free copper, then silver plated with a Rhodium flash. The audio circuits are shock mounted on an independent daughter board and the casework is executed in heavy gauge aluminium to minimize microphonics.

CONRAD-JOHNSON ART PHONO PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The US suggested retail price for the ART Phono is $28,000 ($30,000 with the optional step-up transformer). Production has begun, with deliveries expected to begin by the last week of September. Availability is limited to 250 pieces.

HiFi PiG Says: Conrad-Johnson is a brand for audiophiles who like well-made HiFi with a smart but understated design.