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CANTA PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

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The Vinnie Rossi CANTA Phono Preamplifier is a high-end phono stage engineered to reveal the finest musical information stored in vinyl records while preserving dynamics, tonal richness, spatial realism, and natural musical expression. Combining a fully discrete Belleson JFET input stage, dual-mono architecture, precision RIAA equalization, ultra-low-noise power regulation, and extensive cartridge loading and gain adjustment, CANTA provides a highly refined analog front end for demanding Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) vinyl systems.

Designed for audiophiles seeking exceptional transparency, low noise, precise imaging, and flexible system matching, the CANTA Phono Preamplifier combines sophisticated analog circuitry with intuitive digital control and a precision-machined aluminum chassis.

FULLY DISCRETE BELLESON JFET INPUT STAGE

At the heart of the Vinnie Rossi CANTA Phono Preamplifier is a custom Belleson JFET “YZ” balanced input stage based on transconductance and transimpedance principles.

The fully discrete input architecture is designed to provide exceptionally low noise and distortion across a wide bandwidth, establishing a clean and transparent foundation for high-resolution vinyl playback. This allows subtle low-level information, dynamic contrasts, tonal textures, and spatial cues to emerge with clarity and composure.

DUAL-MONO ANALOG ARCHITECTURE

CANTA uses a true dual-mono architecture, with independent left and right channel circuitry.

By separating the channel paths, the design maximizes channel separation and helps preserve precise image focus, soundstage depth, stereo dimensionality, and spatial realism. This architecture is particularly important in a high-resolution phono stage, where very small signal information from the cartridge must be amplified without compromising the spatial relationships contained in the recording.

PRECISION RIAA EQUALIZATION

The CANTA Phono Preamplifier incorporates high-precision RIAA equalization engineered to accurately reproduce the tonal balance and timing of the original recording.

RIAA accuracy is specified at ±0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, providing exceptionally precise equalization across the audible frequency range.

The result is a phono stage designed to preserve the natural tonal character and fine detail of the vinyl source rather than imposing an artificial sonic signature.

FLEXIBLE MM AND MC CARTRIDGE LOADING

CANTA is designed to accommodate a broad range of Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) phono cartridges, with selectable gain and extensive cartridge-loading options.

For Moving Magnet cartridges, gain can be selected from:

• 36 dB


• 40 dB


• 46 dB


• 52 dB

MM loading is fixed at 47 kΩ, with selectable capacitance of:

• 100 pF


• 200 pF


• 300 pF


• 400 pF

For Moving Coil cartridges, gain can be selected from:

• 56 dB


• 60 dB


• 66 dB


• 72 dB

MC resistance loading can be selected from 10 Ω through 1000 Ω, including 10, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 180, 200, 250, 400, 600, and 1000 Ω.

This extensive adjustment range allows CANTA to be precisely matched to different cartridge electrical requirements and system configurations.

BELLESON SUPER-REGULATED POWER SUPPLY

The CANTA Phono Preamplifier incorporates a Belleson super-regulated power supply using patented super-regulator technology.

The ultra-low-noise supply is designed to provide exceptional stability and isolation for the sensitive phono circuitry. By maintaining a quiet and stable power environment, CANTA allows delicate low-level musical information to emerge against an exceptionally quiet background.

For a phono preamplifier, where cartridge output levels can be extremely low, minimizing unwanted electrical noise is fundamental to preserving transparency, resolution, and dynamic expression.

BALANCED AND SINGLE-ENDED CONNECTIVITY

CANTA provides both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA connectivity, making it suitable for a wide variety of high-end analog systems.

The rear panel provides:

• Balanced left/right XLR inputs


• Single-ended left/right RCA inputs


• Balanced left/right XLR outputs


• Single-ended left/right RCA outputs

This combination allows the CANTA to integrate easily with balanced and single-ended preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and other high-performance audio components.

SWITCHABLE SUBSONIC FILTER

A switchable third-order 20 Hz high-pass subsonic filter helps reduce unwanted ultra-low-frequency energy generated by warped records, bearing rumble, structural vibration, and other mechanical disturbances.

When engaged, the filter can also help prevent excessive low-frequency loudspeaker excursion caused by subsonic information that is outside the intended musical bandwidth.

The filter can therefore provide useful system protection while maintaining the option of full-range operation when conditions allow.

PRECISION CNC-MACHINED ALUMINUM CHASSIS

The CANTA chassis is CNC-machined from a solid block of aluminum, providing a rigid mechanical platform for the sensitive analog circuitry.

The precision-machined construction contributes to:

• Mechanical rigidity


• Resonance control


• Electromagnetic shielding


• Grounding integrity


• Structural stability

The chassis also establishes the distinctive industrial design language of the CANTA Series, combining functional engineering with a refined, minimalist aesthetic.

HIGH-RESOLUTION DISPLAY AND MEMORY SETTINGS

CANTA combines sophisticated analog circuitry with an intuitive user interface.

A high-resolution front-panel display provides convenient access to gain, cartridge loading, and other operating parameters. Once configured, settings are stored in memory and retained even when AC power is disconnected.

This makes it easy to optimize the phono stage for different cartridges or system configurations without repeatedly entering the desired settings.

REFERENCE-LEVEL ANALOG PERFORMANCE

The CANTA Phono Preamplifier is designed around a straightforward objective: preserve as much of the information contained in the vinyl groove as possible.

Its combination of low-noise JFET amplification, dual-mono circuitry, precision RIAA equalization, extensive cartridge loading, super-regulated power, and rigid aluminum construction creates a highly controlled platform for extracting detail from analog recordings.

The architecture is designed to preserve the natural relationships between instruments, voices, ambience, and acoustic space while maintaining the dynamics and tonal richness that make high-quality vinyl playback compelling.

HIGH-END PHONO STAGE FOR MM AND MC CARTRIDGES

With support for both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges, CANTA can serve as the dedicated phono stage in a wide range of high-end vinyl systems.

Its selectable gain and extensive loading options make it suitable for cartridge upgrades and system changes, while its balanced and single-ended connectivity provides flexibility when integrating with premium analog electronics.

For audiophiles building a reference-level turntable system, the CANTA provides a highly configurable interface between the cartridge and the rest of the audio chain.

KEY FEATURES

• High-end Vinnie Rossi CANTA Phono Preamplifier


• Fully discrete Belleson JFET “YZ” balanced input stage


• Dual-mono analog architecture


• Ultra-low-noise Belleson super-regulated power supply


• Precision RIAA equalization


• RIAA accuracy of ±0.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz


• Supports Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges


• MM gain: 36 / 40 / 46 / 52 dB


• MC gain: 56 / 60 / 66 / 72 dB


• MM loading: 47 kΩ with selectable 100 / 200 / 300 / 400 pF capacitance


• Extensive MC loading from 10 Ω to 1000 Ω


• Balanced XLR inputs and outputs


• Single-ended RCA inputs and outputs


• Switchable third-order 20 Hz subsonic filter


• High-resolution display


• Memory storage for user settings


• CNC-machined solid aluminum chassis


• Maximum output level: 10 Vrms


• Output impedance: less than 100 Ω

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATION	VINNIE ROSSI CANTA PHONO PREAMPLIFIER
Supported Cartridges	Moving Magnet (MM), Moving Coil (MC)
MM Gain	36 / 40 / 46 / 52 dB
MC Gain	56 / 60 / 66 / 72 dB
MM Loading	47 kΩ
MM Capacitance	100 / 200 / 300 / 400 pF
MC Loading	10–1000 Ω, selectable values
Inputs	Balanced XLR, Single-Ended RCA
Outputs	Balanced XLR, Single-Ended RCA
RIAA Accuracy	±0.1 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz
Maximum Output Level	10 Vrms
Output Impedance	<100 Ω
Subsonic Filter	Switchable 3rd-order high-pass at 20 Hz
Power Input	100–240 VAC ±10%, 50–60 Hz, 1 A
Dimensions	16.25 × 12.75 × 2.75 in / 413 × 324 × 70 mm
Weight	22 lb / 10 kg