Cambridge Audio Duo MM/MC Phono Stage (DUO)

Product Research

Features

Phono (MM) Preamplifier: Enjoy every last detail from your vinyl collection with Cambridge Audio's high-quality moving magnet phono stage, the Duo phono preamplifier. Cambridge Audio designed the Duo around exceptional components that deliver the warm and detailed sound that's synonymous with vinyl, all without distorting the signal from your moving magnet or moving coil cartridge.

Note: Due to the low-level signals created by a turntable, not all integrated amplifiers and receivers will let you connect directly to a record player. A phono preamplifier, like the Cambridge Audio Duo, boosts this signal to something an integrated amplifier or receiver can work with.

Carefully Selected Components: To preserve the unique warmth of the vinyl sound, the Duo phono preamplifier has been carefully designed with a state-of-the-art switch mode power supply and a new surface mounted circuit board layout to reduce unwanted noise. The switch mode power supply improves performance by switching outside of audible frequency to drastically reduce hum, while the new circuit board layout uses surface-mount components to reduce noise.

Moving Magnet (MM) & Moving Coil (MC) Compatible: The Cambridge Audio Duo phono pre-amplifier features a moving magnet (MM) input stage and moving coil (MC) input stage. There is a cartridge type selector switch on the front-panel of the phono preamplifier.

• MM Input: If your turntable uses a moving magnet cartridge, connect it to the Duo's rear-panel stereo RCA outputs (labeled "MM L/R" (3-5mV, with 47k ohm, 100pF loading).
• MC Input: If your turntable uses a moving coil cartridge, connect it to the Duo's rear-panel stereo RCA outputs (labeled "MC L/R" (0.3-1mV, with 100 ohm, 100pF loading).

Subsonic Filter & Balance Control: If some records in your collection are a little worse for wear, the Duo's built-in subsonic filter will help to eliminate low frequency rumbles that can be caused by imperfections within your vinyl. Combine this with the balance control for handling potential cartridge imbalances in your record player (that can cause a difference between the left and right channels) and the result is a detailed experience with accurate soundstage.

1/4" Headphone Output: Enjoy the warmth of vinyl privately thanks to the Duo's front-panel 1/4" headphone output. Uniquely, Cambridge Audio integrated this headphone jack directly into the phono stage, so you can still enjoy your records when there's no option to play out loud. The integrated headphone output also means no need to turn on your amplifier just to power your headphones, resulting in a more eco-friendly listening experience. The headphone output has a dedicated rotary volume control knob on the front-panel of the phono preamplifier.

Note: Headphones with an impedance of between 32Ω and 600Ω are recommended.

Stereo RCA Outputs: The Cambridge Audio Duo phono preamplifier is outfitted with a set of gold-plated stereo RCA outputs to connect to the line-level inputs on your home receiver or integrated amplifier using a set stereo RCA cables (sold separately - see Accessories Tab).

Note: Do not connect the Duo to a "Phono Input" on a receiver or integrated amplifier.

Turntable Ground: If your turntable has a separate grounding lead then connect it to the Duo's ground terminal. This provides shielding to the arm and the sensitive circuitry in the turntable.

Detachable AC Power Cord: The Cambridge Audio Duo comes with a 58" detachable AC power which plugs into the back of the phono preamplifier and a AC power outlet or surge protector (sold separately).

• Max Power Consumption: 10 watts
• Standby Consumption: <0.5 watts
• Mains Inlet Voltage: 100-240V AC

Auto Power Down: The Cambridge Audio Duo has an Auto Power Down function. The phono preamplifier will automatically switch to standby mode after inactivity of 20 minutes.