Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Danish Audio Connect CT100 Phono Preamp by yoyo

Model:	CT100
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$500
Description:	Adjustable Hi definition phono board. No PSU, casing or connectors included
Manufacturer URL:	Danish Audio Connect
Model Picture:	View

Review by yoyo ( A ) on December 16, 2002 at 03:43:11
IP Address: 196.32.138.149

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for the CT100

SYSTEM: Welltempered Classic table & Arm, Sumiko SHO MC cart., DACT CT100 phono, TEAC VRDS T-1, Monarchy Audio 22A DA ( modified), Adyton Opera 60watts integrated amp, Supra Cables EFF-ISL interconects, TRICO 75 Ohms digital, LoRad power, and SWORD Ref. speaker cable. LoRad is uses Furutech IEC and AC connectors.

IMPLEMENTATION: 18 volts DC power supply, 4400pF at 25 volts capacitance. installed in a metal enclosure w/ Esoteric gold plated coper RCA´s, Vampire ground post and chasis damping applied.

I have read in the past conflicting reviews about this phono unit, especially in the context of the use of battery as PSU for it. One review published on hte Absolute Sound stated that a battery operated CT100 bettered a $4K phono stage. So I decided to try it.

SOUND QUALITY:

The result has impressed me more than expected. This phono section is extremly quiet. Since there is no transformer based PSU there is also no PSU induced hum or noise, you can not tell it is on by noise if the stylus is off the record. But, when the stylus hits the record the sound is dynamic, powerfull, and fast, fast, fast. The highs are detailed but not etched, and the bass is plentifull and tight.

I was so impresse that I decided to go around to a few friends houses and compair it against their phono units. One is a Conrad-Johnson PV12 tube based, Clearaudio basic, Melos, Quicksilver Audio. There is no conteest, the CT100 betters them all in detail, speed, clarity, bass quality and dynamics.

When compaied to CD playback the experience is the same. The sound of the CT100 is faster more balanced tonally and more relaxed. No contest.

That´s it then. A battery implemented CT100 supplied with enough voltage and capacitance PSU is a true reference unit. In addition it is so flexible that will acomodate any cart with 0.1 to 10 volts output.

Against- All reviews oinclude the caveat section. Here the only negative I can detect so far is that the CT100 is so quiet that you can hear every single surface noise there is on the record including clicks and pops, even some you could not hear before. SO now I´ll have to purchase a record cleaning machine.

Yoyo

Product Weakness: so quiet need very clean records.
Product Strengths: noise free, dynamic, rythmic full range presentation. Powerfull and controlled bass.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	adyton opera integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Welltempered classic
Speakers:	audiophysic tempo I
Cables/Interconnects:	Supra cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jass, classical, tropical
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 11 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	furutech pro68
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	so quiet need very clean records.
Product Strengths:	noise free, dynamic, rythmic full range presentation. Powerfull and controlled bass.