Channel D Lino C vs. Sutherland Little Loco

Another great current-injection type MC phono stage for low impedance cartridges is 47 Labs Phono Cube


*more in this thread 

@ chakster I know you have been long time advocate of the virtues of MM’s and NOS MC’s. And I do recall coming across threads where you mentioned 47 Labs electronics, but did not know until now it included their current mode phono stage. I have a few questions:

1. Have you heard other current mode phonos?

47 Labs is the only current-injection phono stage in my arsenal, but I have current mode power amp (fist watt F2J).

2. Do the current mode phono exhibit less of a sonic signature?

The signature of the current mode (current-injection) itself, in my opinion, is superb resolution, the rest is depends on a cartridge. Using a current mode require a low impedance cartridge (about 2 Ohms). Using a current model power amp require high efficient crossover-less speakers. So practically those devises have some limitations and they are good only with the right cartridge (for a phono pre) and the right speakers (for a current model power amp).

3. Vis-a-vis your arsenal of MMs’, how does a LOMC through a current mode phono compare?

Nearly all my LOMC cartridges are low impedance, but not all of them are quiet via current-mode phono stage (or other phono stages), while the best of my MM are dead quiet and without any esoteric devises they are excellent to my ears.

4. For a MM guy, why did you venture into current mode phono territory?

The statement in the beginning of your question is incorrect :)

I use all type of cartridges and all type of phono amplifications (active gain, SUT, Headamp... and current-mode). It would be correct to call me "analog guy", because I do not listen to digital in my system at all.

It’s true than my recommendations on this forum is pretty much MM or MI from the ’80s (NOS on MINT-), because this is a change to buy some exceptional stuff in this category (without paying too much compared to modern MC) and with a chance for a spare genuine (user replaceable) stylus that makes such cartridge exceptional. Unfortunately it’s impossible with MC because retipper’s parts are way different from the original parts. So MC is an expensive game full of disappointment compared to MM/MI.

However, my MC "cart of the month" is Miyajima, this is not a low impedance cartridge, but the cross-ring method is something special, this is a giant killer MC.

The rest of my MCs:

- Miyabi Standard,
- FR-7fz,
- FR-7f,
- Klipsch MCZ-10 Ruby,
- Miyabi MCA,
- Ikeda 9c III,
- Dynavector KARAT 17D2 mk2
- Shelter 5000
- Phasemation PP-300
- Ortofon SPU Spirit Ltd.
- EMT TSD 75th Anniversary
- Miyajima Kansui
- Edison Standard Wood
- Denon DL-103D
- Ortofon MC2000

.... and more (some already sold).

Not bad for "an MM guy" ? :)



But it’s true that collection of MM and MI and spare styli for them is much bigger than all my MC experience.

Some premium ZYX models were in my list of MC too, the last came from Mehran, when I realized the cost of exchange (they do not repair) for a new one (when the stylus is worn or cantilever is broken) is 60% of retail price again - I gave up! It was $5000 cartridge. Later I discovered much better sounding MM cartridges and some exceptional MC for lower price. 

A provocative post, you know that everything Chakster owns is the best ever made.... until his next purchase.

@dover You know more about my next purchase than myself? Because my best list of cartridges does not changed. I’m open for new discoveries, but my top list of MM is hard to beat.

The sense is to use the lowest possible by each cart. The ratio is ’’the higher the amplification the higher distortions’’.The choices
are: 40 dB ( for MM) than 50dB , than 60 dB and 69 dB. For those among us with many cartridges with various ouputs this looks very attractive. What about you chakster?

@nandric  Gold Note PH-10 MM/MC phono stage with optional gain is universal, but I use high gain only for Ortofon MC2000 cartridge (exceptionally low output).

I have no gain in my line level preamps (they are passive), but my speakers are ~100db (super high efficient) and my power amps are under 2 watts (Triod tubes) or 5-30 watts (Solid State).

Gain is not my problem, volume control knob at 50-60% max with any cartridge.

@chakster , unless you have no music recorded after 1985, of course you listen to digital on your system. The DAC is before the phonostage instead of after the file.

Luckily I don’t care about most of the music recorded even in the 80’s.

90% of my records are from the 70’s if you read my posts on audiogon you should know!


I don’t care about reissues and digital.


My passion is true analog, so my records are records, not CDs pressed on vinyl :))

His moniker should be Raul Junior.

However he is not younger Raul but new Raul.

Being probably 40 years younger that Raul I still can’t hear a distortion in your systems, only Raul can hear it all the way from Mexico. So I must disappoint you, even with better hearing abilities at my age, I can’t hear that far :(( 

@chakster Many thanks for you detailed reply. I have completely misrepresented, and severely underestimated your extensive collections of MM and MC. The MC list you posted will be a guide to me. Though I am curious, there are a few in the list, EMT in particular, with internal impedance in the teens, I think there is another in the twenty’s range. They work with the 47 Labs unit?

Since it was recommended for low impedance cartridge I use it only with low impedance cartridges (under 5 Ohm) and it's excellent. At the moment my FR-7f cartridge (on FR-66fx tonearm) connected to 47 Labs Phono Cube and the sound is wonderful. 


I use genuine 47 Labs Phono Cube with Power Humpty. Not interested in clones of whatever products in audio, in case with 47 Labs products I really like the aesthetics, those units are state of the art design in my opinion. Someone posted a links to high quality pictures of the 47Labs PhonoCube and PowerHumpty. Beautiful gear!

Regarding the clone (and its circuit) read this. 

It’s cheap and NOT hard to find, several items available right now, I am thinking to buy another for myself. Retail price was stupid, second hand unit are reasonably priced. I don’t care about production, even if it’s discontinued why should I bother ? $1500 for current-injection phono stage like 47Labs Phono Cube with Power Humpty is bargain! For $2000 they are available more often. Retail was much higher for new unit and I wouldn’t pay such price!

I forgot to add a link to picture gallery of 47 Labs Phono Cube and Power Humpty.
There is also cheaper version called Shigaraki 4718 (on top of the expensive 4712 here, not sure why there are coaxial "in", it must be RCA).

This is phonocube with one power humpty (on the right), but user can add another power humpty for one phonocube (optional upgrade).