TEAC PE-505 Fully-Balanced Phono Preamplifier

TEAC PE-505 Fully-Balanced Phono Preamplifier

The PE-505 is a phono equalizing amplifier with dual monaural and fully-balanced input/output circuits that support balanced MC input.

The development of the PE-505 was achieved by relying on TEAC’s audio technology expertise, focusing on recording and playback, with the goal of accurately reproducing the original intent of the recording producers. The PE-505 will amplify even very faint audio signals picked up by the cartridge, process them without coloration, and then deliver them faithfully in order to keep the listener as close as possible to the original sound that was played before it was engraved on the master disc.

The high precision RIAA correction circuit, as well as both DECCA and COLUMBIA curves are supported. 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.

Fully-balanced circuit design
From the head amplifier to the equalizing amplifier sections to the buffer amplifier section on the final output stage; the PE-505 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.

Equalizing circuit on the differential cartridge output
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 the result, both signals are equalized for a pure and natural audio signal delivery.

High-precision RIAA circuit
A newly developed NF-type equalizing amplifier achieves less than ±0.05dB of RIAA deviation.
(20Hz to 20kHz)

High Signal-to-Noise ratio
The 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

High-precision OLD EQ curves
As well as the modern RIAA curve, individual curves on monaural records from DECCA and COLUMBIA issued before the RIAA curve was defined in 1955 are also supported.

Versatile settings and unique measuring functions
The PE-505 equips switchable load-capacity for MM cartridges and switchable load-resistance for MC cartridges. Furthermore, 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.
Also, the Subsonic function shows subsonic signals less than 6Hz on the gauge, while the subsonic filter (17Hz, -24dB/octave) cuts unnecessary low frequency out of the hearing range.

DEMAG function to refresh the cartridges
With the quick demagnetize function, both magnetized iron cores of MC cartridges and the step-up transformer are demagnetized by playing back a vinyl record for as short as 30 seconds with the DEMAG position.

Features at a glance
Full differential inputs/outputs circuits
High-precision RIAA EQ circuit achieves less than 0.05dB of deviation
Individual EQ curves for monaural records and ones with EQ from DECCA and COLUMBIA
Balanced MC input
Switchable MC impedance (10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1kΩ)
Switchable MM load-impedance capacity (0, 100, 220, 330pF)
MC load-impedance measurement function
Switchable MM/MC gain (High/Low)
Subsonic detection
Subsonic filter (17Hz, –24dB/oct.)
MONO function that mixes left and right channels as a monaural channel
DEMAG function that de-magnetizes cartridge
3-position pin-point feet
GND terminal
RoHS compliant

Specs

Amplifier section
Total harmonic distortion (Rated output, 1kHz, GAIN Low)
 RCA input (MM) 0.002%
 RCA input (MC) 0.02%
 XLR input (MC) 0.02%
Residual noise volt (Input short, GAIN low, IHF-A)
 RCA input (MM) 10μV
 RCA input (MC) 65μV
 XLR input (MC) 85μV
S/N ratio (Input short, Rated input, GAIN Low, IHF-A)
 RCA input (MM) 106dB
 XLR input (MC) 86dB
RIAA deviation (20Hz to 20kHz) ±0.05dB
Channel separation −90dB or higher (MM, 10kHz, GAIN Low)
Gain
GAIN LOW
 RCA input (MM) 34dB
 RCA input (MC) 54dB
 XLR input (MC) 54dB
GAIN HIGH
 RCA input (MM) 46dB
 RCA input (MC) 66dB
 XLR input (MC) 66dB
Subsonic filter 17Hz, –24dB/octave
Phono input section
Unbalanced input RCA Pin (MC/MM compatible) × 1 pair
Max input level 150mV (MM, THD 0.1%, GAIN Low)
16mV (MC, THD 0.1%, GAIN Low)
Input impedance*
MM 47kΩ, Load-impedance: 0, 100, 220, 330pF
MC 10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1kΩ
Balanced input XLR (MC only) × 1 pair
Max input level 16mV (MC, THD 0.1%, GAIN Low)
Input impedance*
MC 10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1kΩ * switchable from the Settings
Analog output section
Unbalanced output RCA pin × 1 pair
Rated output level 2Vrms
Output impedance 63Ω
Balanced output XLR × 1 pair
Rated output level 4Vrms
Output impedance 126Ω
Operating power
US/Canada/Taiwan AC 120V, 50/60Hz
Europe/Asia AC 230V, 50/60Hz
Power consumption 14W
Overall dimensions(W × H × D) 290 × 84.5 × 252.5 mm / 11.4" × 3.3" × 9.9"
Weight 4.5kg / 10.0 lbs.
Included accessories Power cord × 1, Cushions for foot × 3, Owner’s manual × 1