AXPONA 2015

Channel D Introduces New Lino Phono Preamp With Optional A/D, D/A Converter

Michael Fremer  |  Apr 29, 2015

While AXPONA was, for the most part, not the place for product debuts (that will be in at Munich's High End Show in May), Channel D did introduce a new phono preamp, the Lino, which is the least expensive of the company's three phono preamplifiers.

The $1199 Lino is a fully balanced design the comes "stock"without RIAA correction for use with Channel D's Pure Vinyl Software, in which the RIAA is created upon playback in the digital domain. Add $200 for the optional RIAA circuit and another $400 for the A/D, D/A converter for a total of $1800 "loaded".

Watch Channel D's Rob Robinson explain it all here:

COMMENTS
casey2349's picture
Submitted by casey2349 on Thu, 2015-04-30 11:00

Their vinyl recording software looks like an awesome product, but I can't bear to watch this guy explain how to use it. Does one need a computer engineering degree to use the software? If anyone can shed some light on the usability of this product, I would consider buying it. While the product designer has created what appears to be a great product, I'd say he's not much of a salesman.

Ktracho's picture
Submitted by Ktracho on Fri, 2015-05-08 16:15

How does it compare to PS Audio's NPC NuWave Phono Converter? If you don't get the RIAA circuit, do you need a Mac in order to listen to your records? If you do get the RIAA circuit, is the A/D conversion done before or after equalization? Can you use the D/A converter with sources other than a turntable?

rip38-65's picture
Submitted by rip38-65 on Tue, 2015-05-12 09:51

The learning curve and amount of effort needed are not trivial, but in my opinion, well worth it to obtain high rez (192kHz/24bit) files of my vinyl.

RIAA compensation can be accomplished either in hardware (if you buy one of Channel D's products with it) or in software. Additionally, once you've ripped an LP, you have a choice of rendering the digitized file either as iTunes markers (RIAA compensated in software during playback) or as standalone ALAC files at the resolution of your choice (there's also a choice of file formats; I just picked ALAC).

I highly recommend Mike Fremer's review of the Seta preamp (from August 2010? I think) in Stereophile, where he provides a lengthy discussion of the ripping process. John Atkinson also contributes, and discusses the Pure Music playback software elsewhere in Stereophile.

Channel D's website has a lot of information, including manuals and links to the above articles.

The Seta phono preamp I got is stunningly good regardless of utilization for digitizing LPs (Stereophile Class A). The software can be...difficult but the engineering challenges associated with doing digitization well appear to be significant. This new product, the Lino, with an incorporated ADC would significantly reduce, I think, both the learning curve and hardware investment as compared to my rig using the Seta but I have no idea how it compares sonically.

In any event, my investment of time, effort and bucks has been well worth it--it's very difficult for me to distinguish between the Pure Vinyl files and my source LPs, and I'm able to bring high rez listening everywhere in my house, not just my music room. And I don't have to flip sides every 10 minutes when playing 45rpm LPs either...

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