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High Fidelity Audio

VLCR tube phono stage

Remton Audio · VLCR

VLCR tube phono stage

Precision LCR network engineering for the ultimate expression of analog fidelity.

The VLCR stands as the reference-level achievement in the Remton Audio range, meticulously engineered to provide the purest possible link between your turntable and amplifier. By replacing conventional feedback-based equalisation with an inductive-capacitive-resistive (LCR) network, the design eliminates common non-linearities and phase shifts, resulting in a soundstage of exceptional depth and realism. This is a phono stage designed for the dedicated enthusiast who understands that the soul of a recording is found in its nuance. Every unit is hand-assembled in the Czech Republic, featuring custom-wound Sowter coils and a selection of premium capacitors and resistors. The topology is strictly zero-feedback, ensuring that the integrity of the cartridge signal remains uncoloured and harmonically complete. The sonic character of the VLCR is marked by a rare combination of authority and organic fluidity. It does not attempt to impress with aggressive transients or artificial brightness; instead, it provides a palpable, dense, and emotionally involving presentation. Whether you are using a top-tier moving magnet cartridge or pairing the unit with a high-end external step-up transformer for moving coil, the VLCR reveals the hidden layers of your record collection with effortless poise.

Key Features

01

Passive LCR RIAA network

Custom-wound Sowter coils implement a true LCR equalisation network, offering superior phase linearity and transparency compared to standard active designs.

02

Zero negative feedback

The minimalist circuit topology removes global feedback to preserve the natural harmonic structure and transient speed of the analog signal.

03

Precision hand-picked components

Every internal component, including capacitors and non-inductive resistors, is rigorously measured and selected to ensure perfect channel matching.

04

Soft-start power supply

A sophisticated DC high-voltage supply prevents current surges during start-up, significantly extending the operational lifespan of the vacuum tubes.

The Engineering Core

Chapter 01

The Engineering Core

At the heart of the VLCR is an uncompromising commitment to the LCR philosophy. Unlike standard phono stages that use resistors and capacitors in an active feedback loop, the VLCR uses high-quality inductors to shape the RIAA curve passively. This approach is significantly more complex to execute but avoids the electrical stresses and phase errors inherent in active filters, resulting in a significantly more natural and realistic acoustic image.
Construction Standards

Chapter 02

Construction Standards

The build quality reflects its flagship status, utilising a heavy-gauge steel chassis that serves both as a rigid mechanical platform and as effective shielding against electromagnetic interference. The use of a dedicated toroidal transformer ensures a clean, quiet power foundation, allowing the sensitive tube circuitry to resolve micro-details that would otherwise be obscured by noise.
Listening Notes

Chapter 03

Listening Notes

Listeners often describe the VLCR as 'holographic'. It possesses an uncanny ability to place instruments in a three-dimensional space with precise focus. There is a sense of effortless dynamics and tonal richness that makes the music feel present and alive. It is an instrument of immense capability, designed to satisfy the most demanding analog listeners.

Specifications

TypeTube phono stage
Frequency response20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.3 dB
Impedance17 kOhm to 100 kOhm
Dimensions (H × W × D)85 × 386 × 295 mm
Weight8 kg
Input capacitance0, 47 pF, 100 pF, 147 pF, 220 pF, 267 pF, 367 pF
Output impedance250 Ohms
Gain42dB