PE-505 Balanced Phono Preamplifier

One of TEAC's award-winning products, the PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier is a phono equalizing amp capable of accurately reproducing the original intent of a recording. Focusing on recording and playback, TEAC created the PE-505 to amplify even the faintest audio signals picked up by the cartridge and process them without coloration. The TEAC PE-505 features a dual monaural and fully balanced input/output circuit design supporting balanced MC input for MC phono cartridges. In addition, selectable load resistance for MC cartridges and load capacity for MM cartridges are present; allowing users to optimize the settings for the type of cartridge used and for the condition of the record. The TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier is designed for audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts who demand the best possible hi-fi performance from their phono stage. Its balanced design, adjustable settings, and high-quality components make it an excellent choice for those looking to extract the maximum detail and clarity from their vinyl recordings, particularly when using high-end MC cartridges. Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier with the Black Dragon Interconnect Cable with RCA and XLR connectors. The Black Dragon Interconnect Cable will provide a stable connection between the phono amp and your record player/turntable. Small, Compact Form Factor Adjustable Settings & Unique Measuring Functions The TEAC PE-505 Phono Amplifier sports a solid build quality with a well-constructed chassis and 3-position pin-point feet with built-in spikes. Two handles on the front of the unit combined with its weight of 10 lbs make it easy to move the phono amp around your home audio system setup. Place it on a bookshelf, rest it on an audio system rack, or gloriously display it on your console, the PE-505 is a versatile unit with a compact form factor. Users can choose from two finishes, black or silver, to complement their audio system setup. The PE-505 is equipped with unbalanced and balanced inputs and outputs from RCA to XLR and MC. The unit's front panel is adorned with features such as the gain switch, rotary knob, meter button, EQ curve, source selector, mono and subsonic filter push buttons, and most notably the round meter, with a light that can be dimmed in four steps with a push button next to it. The high-quality design components on the TEAC PE-505 ensure long-term durability, high performance, and reliability. The TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier is equipped with a number of adjustable settings that let users fine-tune their listening experience. A switchable gain mode allows users to increase the gain for both MM and MC cartridges to optimize the performance based on the cartridge, with a 12dB difference between the low and high gain modes. Use the impedance selection knob to set the load impedance setting according to the cartridge type, with impedances of 10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, and 1,000 for MC cartridges and 0, 100, 220, 330pF for MM cartridges. This rotary knob also has a degaussing setting for MC cartridges with an iron core built-in step-up transformer. An EQ CURVE selection knob allows users to select the curve that sounds natural according to the record being played. Select the standard RIAA EQ curve, Decca, or COLUMBIA curve. Use the measure button to measure MC cartridge impedance (viewable on the round meter), showing the volume of subsonic frequencies and MC cartridge impedance. The load-resistance measuring function allows users to select an appropriate load-resistance by pressing the MEASURE key on the front panel to show the total load-resistance value including cable resistance on the gauge. Lastly, when activated, a subsonic filter reduces unnecessary woofer movement after a record has wrapped playing, with a cutoff of 17Hz and a slope of -24dB/oct. Fully-Balanced Circuit Design From the head amplifier to the equalizing amplifier sections to the buffer amplifier section on the final output stage; the TEAC PE-505 Phono Amplifier employs a fully balanced circuit design throughout all stages that amplifies, equalizes, and maintains signal purity of even the most extremely faint audio signals picked up by a cartridge. Even unbalanced signal on the conventional RCA input is converted to the differential processing mode right after the input terminals. Absorbing errors on the balanced output, the differential output equalizing circuit delivers a more accurate audio signal. The differential output circuit that cross-multiplied the hot and cold outputs each other. As a result, both signals are equalized for pure and natural audio signal delivery. A DEMAG function demagnetizes the iron cores of MC cartridges and the step-up transformer by playing back a vinyl record for as short as 30 seconds with the DEMAG position. Using this function can improve the sound quality by making it clearer and giving it greater definition. High-precision RIAA circuit High Signal-to-Noise ratio A newly developed NF-type equalizing amplifier achieves less than ±0.05dB of RIAA deviation. (20Hz to 20kHz) The Teac PE-505 achieves 106dB on the RCA input*1, and 86dB on the XLR input*2, while the residual noise voltage reaches 10μV on the MM and 85μV on the MC*3 which are sophisticated. *1 MM *2 MC *3 XLR input TEAC: Crafting Sound Perfection TEAC, a renowned audio electronics company based out of Japan, has been crafting hi-fi gear for discerning audiophiles, music lovers, and audio professionals for over 70 years. Their range includes high-quality phono stages for vinyl enthusiasts, robust stereo power amplifiers for demanding audiophiles, and precision-engineered turntables that pay homage to analog audio. This includes popular belt drive analog turntables like the TN-5BB, TN-3B-SE, and Bluetooth-enabled TN-280BT, as well as direct drive turntables in the TEAC TN series. Their dedication to analog formats extends to their high-quality cassette decks and tape decks, preserving a legacy of audio recording. For digital music lovers, TEAC has a collection of network players, USB DAC/headphone amplifiers, preamps, and streamers, exemplified by their sophisticated UD-701N and UD-505-X models. The company's commitment to CD playback is evident in their meticulously crafted CD transports like the TEAC PD-505T, while the CG-10M master clock generator showcases their attention to timing precision in digital audio. TEAC’s VRDS-701 embodies its expertise in high-end CD players, incorporating its proprietary VRDS mechanism. For those seeking compact solutions, TEAC offers desktop audio amplifiers that don’t compromise sound quality. Their range of stereo amplifiers caters to the various power requirements and audiophile preferences while their collection of subwoofers perfectly complements the speaker output of any home audio system. This diverse product range demonstrates TEAC's dedication to providing comprehensive hi-res audio products that bridge traditional and modern audio technologies. Features: Full differential inputs/outputs circuits High-precision RIAA EQ circuit Individual EQ curves for monaural records Balanced MC input Switchable MC Impedance Switchable MM load-impedance capacity MC load-impedance measurement function Subsonic detection Subsonic filter MONO function DEMAG function 3-position pin-point feet GND terminal RoHS compliant What's In the Box: PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifer Power Cord Rubber pads for feet x3 Owner's Manual FAQ Is the TEAC PE-505 compatible with both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges? Yes, the TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier is designed to work with both MM and MC cartridges, and it offers adjustable gain and loading settings to optimize performance for each type. Can I connect the PE-505 to my main amplifier using balanced outputs? Yes, the TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier features both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs, allowing you to connect it to your main stereo amplifier using either type of connection. Can I use the PE-505 with a turntable that has unbalanced outputs? Yes, the PE-505 also features unbalanced inputs (RCA) for use with turntables that do not have balanced outputs.