rothwell9

Iridium
valve phonostage

Iridium4

The Iridium is a valve phonostage for moving magnet and high-output moving coil cartridges.
background
Valve phonostages from Rothwell aren’t new - the first one dates back to 1990 with pre-production prototypes going back to the 1980s. Remember, that was back when CD was a relatively new medium, most integrated amps and pre-amps still had on-board phonostages and the very idea of an out-board phonostage was pretty much unheard of. A valve outboard phonostage was very radical at the time and companies like Musical Fidelity or Cambridge Audio hadn’t even started making outboard phonostages. With a quarter of a century’s experience in phonostage design, the quality of the Iridium is assured.
circuit details
The gain stages in the Iridium are built around ECC83 valves, chosen for their proven track record in small signal audio amplification and because they are widely available and easy to replace when required. RIAA equalisation is achieved passively with audiophile polypropylene capacitors and precision resistors, the valve heaters are powered by a regulated DC supply to eliminate low level hum, the HT supply is multi-filtered to eliminate ripple and separate left/right filters are used to minimise crosstalk and internal wiring uses solid-core silver-plated oxygen-free copper with PTFE insulation. No global feedback is used.
sonic performance
The cliche of valve “warmth” implies a distinct colouration which the Iridium simply doesn’t have. Instead the listener enjoys very finely revealed detail, a wide and deep soundstage and freedom from harshness at high frequencies. Dense recordings with many overdubs reveal all the individual parts with each instrument having room to breathe. The acoustics of the recording environment are also revealed, giving a satisfying sense of scale.

specifications

gain

input impedance

output impedance

sensitivity for 500mV o/p

headroom

signal/noise

power supply

dimensions

weight
 

47dB

47k + 150pF

75R

2.2mV @ 1kHz

35dB

>87dB (mm)

internal

75 x 425 x 240 mm

5.1kg

How to buy
The cost is £1379 (uk retail) and units can be obtained from our hi-fi dealers (full list) or by contacting Rothwell Audio Products directly by email or telephone (+44 (0)1204 366133) or from the online shop.

shop-sign-2
[Home] [Hi-Fi] [Attenuators] [Indus SE] [Rivers] [Hi-Fi dealers] [moving coil step-up transformer] [about Rothwell] [contact] [Rialto mm/mc phonostage] [mc step-up transformers explained] [mc step-up transformer] [valve phonostage] [SUT] [Simplex MM phonostage] [step-up transformers for Denon cartridges] [Signature One phonostage] [Headspace mc headamp] [SUT for HOMC] [Signature Two mc phonostage] [Custom step-up transformer] [Guitar] [shop]