TALOS LIMITED EDITION | PHONO SYSTEM | TWO CHASSIS
The Talos LE, the ultimate phono amplifier, a serious contender dedicated to the world of analog reproduction
“The Talos Limited Edition is our answer to those wanting the finest phono amplifier, a serious contender dedicated to the world of analog reproduction. The Talos Signature is designed to extract all the information from the cartridge, bringing dynamics and signal to noise ratios close to digital reproduction, yet retaining all the aspects we love in high end vinyl reproduction. In our opinion hearing your turntable through the Talos Signature will redefine what you thought was possible from vinyl, and further outlines why vinyl reproduction for many is the holy grail of high end audio, the ultimate source.”
DESIGNER
The Talos Limited Edition uses technology from our Talos Ref model, as well as improved sections of our Talos Signature model.
Using borrowed circuits from our top of the line preamp designs, such as the Inverted Triode output stage borrowed from the Impera Series, the Talos Limited Edition really stands out in our line of phono stages.
With it’s 60db gain from the tube stages, and 12-26db added gain from our customized fully balanced Step Up Transformers, a total gain of 72-86db is possible, yet with amazingly high signal to noise. There is enough headroom to amplify the signal of any cartridge to it’s full potential and maximum dynamic range.
The input stage is the most crucial stage for retrieving and preserving information from the cartridge
Input Stage
As in all phono systems, the input stage is the most crucial stage for retrieving and preserving information from the cartridge. We took all steps necessary to provide the best noise cancelling, microphonic free, linear input stage possible.
The input stage in the Talos Limited Edition isour proprietary differential tube stage, using two independent full tube stages per channel in differential mode. The two stages are using two E280F super tubes per channel,also mounted on our special Vibration Isolation sockets. The two tubes are loaded with a special transformer, (proprietary blend of MU/permalloy core) with fully geometrically and electrically balanced windings. The differential input stage is fed either directly from the cartridge in differential mode (from floating RCA or XLR inputs), either by our custom SUT transformers which have true balanced output.
SUT & Cartridge Loading
Our SUT transformers are also wound using fully geometrically/electrically balanced windings, thus outputting a true balanced output, thus fully benefit from our differential tube input stage.
Amplifiying the extremely low level signal in differential mode has the advantage of cancelling out common mode noise Common mode noise is electrical noise picked up anywhere from the cartridge body up to the inputs of the phono stage, Thus the Talos Signature has a very high SNR.
The unit comes with no internal loading presets, as this would predefine and limit loading combinations. Loading is thus provided by our loading modules. These are custom built on request, and tailored to a clients cartridge portofilio. Loading modules can be used for both direct and SUT inputs. Loading modules can be any value requested, and users can load any input independently.
Double-T LCR filters are the most transparent and dynamic filters available today
RIAA Stage
As in all of our phono stages, the RIAA filters are implemented around a constant low impedance Double-T LCR filters. These filters are the most transparent and dynamic filters possible. However being very low impedance, it means that you cannot drive them with usual gain stages.
In the Talos LE, we use a newly developed RIAA circuit with custom coils and capacitors, and is finetuned on the fly, using real time date to provide maximum accuracy to the RIAA curve.
The low impedance RIAA filters are driver by a special circuit designed specifically for driving this constant low impedance filter structure – a small SET amplifier. This small amplifier uses the E280F super tube loaded with a custom step down transformer. It can drive anything down to 50ohm, and it’s output impedance is tuned to work in combination with our LCR filters to provide accurate RIAA correction Equalization.
Output Stage
The output stage provides some of the total gain of the phono system, and at same time provides low output impedance to drive any preamplifier load and capacitive cables. It is also build like a small independent SE amplifier.
A further E280F SET amplifier provides further drive current in conjunction with a custom step down transformer.
All power supplies are located in a matching second chassis, while local capacitor banks in the main chassis provide local decoupling
A full sized chassis is used to house the extremely complicated PSU which is comprised by numerous independent high and low voltage supplies.
All power supplies are located in a matching second chassis, while local capacitor banks in the main chassis provide local decoupling.
The extremely low noise input stage PSU is a tube rectified-multi choke -filtered stage,using the high current 6d22s damper diodes, and quad PI filters using low DCR inductors and film capacitors .
The RIAA driver amplifier is being fed by a separate tube rectified PSU, with it’s own double PI filters to provide unmeasurable noise levels.
The output driver/Inverted Triode stage is also using high quality chokes and high speed/current capacitors. A total of 12 chokes are used in combination with low ESR capacitors. These provide eight independent ultra low noise power rails for all four X 2 stages.
All of the eightndependent power supplies have decoupled returning legs, only connected to the single star ground of the main unit. This layout, along with the separation/filtration topology of the PSUs provides minimum power crosstalk between stages, which is extremely crucial in phono low signal amplification.. All eight tubes can be bias adjusted and monitored on the fly. Each of the two differential banks can be monitored and adjusted on the fly for accurate balanced operation as well as sonic fine tuning using two dedicated monitors.
The other six stages can also be adjusted and monitored using a dedicated monitor/meter/knob system that controls the AC-link proprietary system. Tube heaters for all eight tubes are DC filtered with a five-fold Pi-filter to provide complete noise free environment for all tubes.
Technical Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS | |
Tube compliment: | 8x E280F 4x 6d22s 1x Gz34 2x Inverted Triodes |
Total system gain:: | Min 44 Max 60db without SUT |
Noise floor: | <80db |
Maximum Signal to noise ratio: | 90db |
RIAA accuracy: | +-0.2db |
Inputs: | Customizable |
Max Output: | 10Vrms |
Loading Resistance/capacitance: | Unlimited combinations. |
Dimensions: | 540 mm W x 530 mm D x 165 mm H |
Weight: | 130kg total |
Talos Series Information
PARAMETER | TALOS REFERENCE | TALOS SIGNATURE | TALOS LE |
Standard gain (direct) | 62db | Text | Text |
Custom SUT gain range | +12db ~ +26db | +12db ~ +26db | +12db ~ +26db |
Number of optional SUTs (pairs) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Custom direct gain range | 48db min 62db max | 48db min 64db max | 44db min 60db max |
Input stage | Differential stage, Level 1 | Differential stage. | Differential stage. |
RIAA | Set driven Level 1 LRC | Set driven Level 2 LRC | Set driven Level 3 LRC |
Bias control for Input stage | Auto cathode bias | All stages have AC link bias system. User configurable | All stages have AC link bias system. User configurable. Dual monitors |
Output stage | SET amplifier | Set amplifier. AC link bias | Inverted Triode proprietary technology |
Power supply input | Tube rectified. Independent | Tube rectified. Independent. Quad choke | Tube rectified. Independent. |
RIAA Power supply | Solid state rectification. Common with output. Dual choke | Tube rectified. Common with output. Quad Choke | Tube rectified. Independent. Quad Choke |
