Sutherland TZ VIBE
phono preamplifier

Sutherland has the advantage of many model designs over the years. Every so often there is an opportunity to do some ‘design splicing’.

Not one of those earth-shattering, blank sheet of paper approaches. It is a very practical, efficient, cost effective way to push performance/price. And, of course, it is done with Sutherland’s meticulous attention to detail in design and build quality.

This new design ‘lifts’ some circuity from the KC VIBE and ‘lifts’ some circuitry from the front of the Little LOCO Mk2.

The KC VIBE provides the foundation and the second gain stage. The transimpedance input stage comes from the Little LOCO Mk2. Each of those products underwent years of development. Each has been in production for several years, earning a solid reputation.

All of that valuable knowledge and experience is combined into the TZ VIBE. An offering of the Sutherland transimpedance experience at a more accessible price.

The TZ VIBE presents a virtual short as the cartridge load.

Instead of voltage being the input parameter, it is the current generated by the cartridge that conveys musical content. The endless worry about finding the ‘best’ load value is eliminated.

The cartridge must be the moving coil type.

Those with low output will be embraced. Not compatible with moving magnet or moving iron or step-up-transformers.

Thanks to the new little LOCO Mk2 circuit, the shell of the RCA input jack is now at ground. There are no special TT cable requirements.

Sutherland TZ Vibe GAIN SETTINGS

The TZ Vibe is factory-set to medium gain. That should work very well in most situations.

The usual concerns about cartridge output voltage do not apply here. Cartridges of varied output voltage specs tend to supply about the same level of drive current into a short. i.e. higher output voltages usually have an associated higher internal resistance. Lower output voltages usually have an associated lower internal resistance.