The Rialto is a high-quality phono preamplifier designed for both moving magnet (MM) and low output moving coil (MC) cartridges. Rather than relying on standard solutions, this unit is built around a fully discrete transistor design. The result is an exceptionally clean signal path, minimal noise, and a highly natural musical reproduction.

Thanks to the use of high-grade polypropylene capacitors, the RIAA equalisation is executed with great precision, ensuring a transparent and controlled signal transfer.

Design Philosophy

The development of the Rialto focused on one clear objective: maximum sound quality without unnecessary features. Based on decades of experience in phonostage design, a minimalist approach was chosen, including only elements that directly contribute to performance.

All switching is implemented internally to keep the signal path as short as possible. Adjustable gain and impedance settings were deliberately omitted, as they offer little real-world sonic benefit. Instead, carefully selected fixed values are used, optimised for the vast majority of MM and MC cartridges.

The savings from eliminating unnecessary features have been invested in a highly refined power supply with multiple filtering stages, ensuring extremely stable and noise-free operation.

Technical Approach

The Rialto avoids the use of op-amps entirely, opting instead for discrete transistors operating fully in Class A. This is a crucial design choice, as MC cartridges produce extremely low-level signals.

These delicate signals require amplification free from crossover distortion and with maximum linearity. The result is an open, detailed, and spacious sound presentation, preserving even the finest musical nuances.

Amplification Without Compromise

Gain is distributed across multiple stages, allowing each stage to operate under optimal conditions. By using local feedback in each gain stage, distortion is minimised without the need for global feedback. This contributes to a more natural and less “mechanical” sound character.

Both the transistors and passive components are carefully selected for low noise and high precision. Separate, optimised components are used for the MM and MC sections to ensure the best possible performance in each mode.

Focus on Silence and Detail

One of the key strengths of the Rialto is its extremely low noise floor. This is achieved not only through component quality but also through meticulous PCB layout and extensive power supply filtering.

The result is a deep, silent background from which the music emerges with clarity and precision.

Positioning and Upgrade Potential

The Rialto is aimed at users seeking uncompromising sound quality without paying for unnecessary features. For those looking to extract the absolute best from an MC cartridge, pairing the Rialto with a step-up transformer in MM mode is highly recommended. This combination elevates performance to an even higher level.

Specifications

• Gain MM: 42dB
• Gain MC: 62dB
• Input impedance MM: 47kΩ + 150pF
• Input impedance MC: 100Ω
• Output impedance: 75Ω
• Sensitivity for 500mV output: 4mV @ 1kHz
• Sensitivity MM: 0.4mV @ 1kHz
• Sensitivity MC: 20dB
• Headroom: >87dB (MM), >69dB (MC)
• Signal/noise: 24V DC, center positive
• Power supply: 100V – 250V AC
• Power consumption: <1W
• Dimensions: 60 x 155 x 92 mm
• Weight: 570g (excluding power supply)