The RCM Audio TheRIAA Mk II is a reference MM/MC phono preamplifier designed around a fully dual-mono architecture with an external power supply. The separate PSU houses the rectification and first stage of voltage stabilisation, while additional filtration is located within the main chassis close to the sensitive amplification and equalisation circuitry. Extensive internal shielding further isolates the left and right channels and helps maintain an exceptionally low noise floor.
Passive RIAA equalisation employs low-noise resistors and polypropylene capacitors individually measured and selected for precise channel matching, while adjustable gain from 52–76dB and eight impedance settings from 20Ω to 47kΩ provide extensive cartridge compatibility. The input circuitry can also operate in balanced or unbalanced mode, taking advantage of the inherently balanced signal generated by a phono cartridge to improve noise rejection and dynamic range when appropriately configured.
Key Features
Reference MM/MC phono preamplifier
Fully dual-mono architecture
Separate external power supply
Three-stage power-supply stabilisation and filtration
Symmetrical power-supply design
Extensive separation between power supply and sensitive audio circuitry
10mm shielding between left- and right-channel audio boards
Additional 5mm shielding within the power supply
Passive RIAA equalisation
Low-noise resistors and polypropylene capacitors in RIAA network
Individually measured and selected RIAA components
RIAA linearity: ±0.1dB from 20Hz–20kHz
Selectable balanced or unbalanced input operation
RCA phono input
Cartridge matching via high-quality Omron DIP switches
Input sensitivity adjustable from 0.2–5mV
9 sensitivity settings: 0.2 / 0.3 / 0.4 / 0.6 / 0.9 / 1.4 / 2.0 / 2.5 / 5mV
Gain range: 52–76dB for 2Vrms output
Input impedance adjustable from 20Ω–47kΩ
8 impedance settings: 20 / 30 / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 1,000 / 47k Ω
Input capacitance: 100pF
Signal-to-noise ratio: 85dB
THD: 0.01%
Output impedance: 70Ω
Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs
Nominal output level: 2Vrms
Maximum output level: 9Vrms
High-quality components from Elna, Sanyo, Nichicon, Wima, TDK Epcos, Vishay, Omron, Burr-Brown and Analog Devices
Main chassis dimensions: 440 × 265 × 120mm
Power supply dimensions: 205 × 270 × 105mm
Main chassis weight: 9kg
Power supply weight: 4.5kg
Maximum power consumption: 17W
The RCM Audio TheRIAA Mk II is a reference MM/MC phono preamplifier designed around a fully dual-mono architecture with an external power supply. The separate PSU houses the rectification and first stage of voltage stabilisation, while additional filtration is located within the main chassis close to the sensitive amplification and equalisation circuitry. Extensive internal shielding further isolates the left and right channels and helps maintain an exceptionally low noise floor.
Passive RIAA equalisation employs low-noise resistors and polypropylene capacitors individually measured and selected for precise channel matching, while adjustable gain from 52–76dB and eight impedance settings from 20Ω to 47kΩ provide extensive cartridge compatibility. The input circuitry can also operate in balanced or unbalanced mode, taking advantage of the inherently balanced signal generated by a phono cartridge to improve noise rejection and dynamic range when appropriately configured.
Key Features
Reference MM/MC phono preamplifier
Fully dual-mono architecture
Separate external power supply
Three-stage power-supply stabilisation and filtration
Symmetrical power-supply design
Extensive separation between power supply and sensitive audio circuitry
10mm shielding between left- and right-channel audio boards
Additional 5mm shielding within the power supply
Passive RIAA equalisation
Low-noise resistors and polypropylene capacitors in RIAA network
Individually measured and selected RIAA components
RIAA linearity: ±0.1dB from 20Hz–20kHz
Selectable balanced or unbalanced input operation
RCA phono input
Cartridge matching via high-quality Omron DIP switches
Input sensitivity adjustable from 0.2–5mV
9 sensitivity settings: 0.2 / 0.3 / 0.4 / 0.6 / 0.9 / 1.4 / 2.0 / 2.5 / 5mV
Gain range: 52–76dB for 2Vrms output
Input impedance adjustable from 20Ω–47kΩ
8 impedance settings: 20 / 30 / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 1,000 / 47k Ω
Input capacitance: 100pF
Signal-to-noise ratio: 85dB
THD: 0.01%
Output impedance: 70Ω
Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs
Nominal output level: 2Vrms
Maximum output level: 9Vrms
High-quality components from Elna, Sanyo, Nichicon, Wima, TDK Epcos, Vishay, Omron, Burr-Brown and Analog Devices
Main chassis dimensions: 440 × 265 × 120mm
Power supply dimensions: 205 × 270 × 105mm
Main chassis weight: 9kg
Power supply weight: 4.5kg
Maximum power consumption: 17W
