TALOS SIGNATURE | PHONO SYSTEM | TWO CHASSIS
The Talos Signature is our answer to those wanting the finest phono amplifier, a serious contender dedicated to the world of analog reproduction
“The Talos Signature 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 Signature uses technology from our Talos Limited Edition model, as well as improved sections of our smaller Talos Reference model.
Using, amongst other innovative aspects – proprietary tube circuits, transformer coupling throughout and multiple tube rectified ultra-low noise PSUs, we successfully managed to create a unique source. One which in our humble opinion is quite possibly the ultimate analog source today, only surpassed by the Talos Limited Edition.
With it’s 64db gain from the tube stages, and 12-26db added gain from our customised Step Up Transformers, a total gain of 76-90db 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
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 Signature is a proprietary differential tube stage, taking technology used in our top Talos Limited Edition. It uses two E280F super tubes per channel, mounted on our special Vibration Isolation sockets. These 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.
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
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. We designed a special circuit 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 Equalisation.
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
Power Supply
All power supplies are located in a matching second chassis, while local capacitor banks in the main chassis provide local decoupling. The input stage PSU is tube rectified using the high current 6d22s damper diodes, and is quad filtered using chokes.
A second tube rectifier bank using another pair of 6d22s is responsible for powering the rest of the stages. All stages are independently double filtered using chokes and high speed/current capacitors. A total of 10 chokes are used in combination with low ESR capacitors. There provide six independent ultra low noise power rails for all three X 2 stages.
All of the six independent 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 four 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.
Aries Cerat system including: Talos Signature Phono Stage, Genus Integrated Ampliifer & Symphonia Horn Speakers
Technical Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS | |
Tube compliment: | 8x E280F 4x 6d22s |
Total system gain:: | 64db + 12~26 db (custom SUT for each cart) |
Noise floor: | <80db |
Maximum Signal to noise ratio: | 106db |
RIAA accuracy: | +-0.2db |
Inputs: | 2x floating RCA/XLR differential inputs (64db) 1x Step up transformer input (+12~26db custom) |
Max Output: | 20Vrms @ 200ohm |
Loading Resistance/capacitance: | Unlimited combinations. |
Dimensions: | 540 mm W x 430 mm D x 165 mm H |
Weight: | 100kg 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 |
