Apr 4, 2025
Treehaus Audiolab is excited to introduce our latest product, the LCR Phono, at AXPONA 2025. Building upon our expansive knowledge of vacuum-tube based amplification products, the LCR Phono presents the listener with fantastic, natural, vinyl sound reproduction.
A proper phono preamplifier has two primary tasks. First, and what makes it specific to vinyl playback, is to apply the proper RIAA equalization curve to the signal. The LCR Phono uses passive components: inductors (L), capacitors (C), and resistors (R) to accomplish the equalization. While this is a more complicated method, its unique design characteristics and performance make the effort worthwhile. Only the inductors are in-line with the signal path; the capacitors and resistors are parallel. The audio signal thus runs through less components and maintains a higher level of purity. Our inductors use Finemet cores, and each is hand-coated with Urushi lacquer to further enhance their presentation. All other components chosen are of highest quality and each
curated for its performance in the circuit.
Second, a phono preamplifier carefully amplifies the delicate audio signal produced by the cartridge to a more useable level by the rest of the audio system. The 7308 twin-triode vacuum tubes are used in the first stage, chosen for their extremely low noise and resistance to microphonics, and a 12AT7 provides additional gain in the second stage. A tube-rectified power supply, in a separate enclosure, provides the electrons utilizing a CLCLC configuration with a Finemet choke in the final stage. Combined with DC heated filaments, and a high voltage shunt regulator for each channel, the LCR Phono is provided extremely clean, pure power for amplification.
46dB of gain makes the LCR Phono well-suited for MM cartridges, or MC cartridges when paired with a step-up transformer such as the Treehaus Audiolab MC SUT. To fine-tune for specific cartridges, the LCR Phono offers variable cartridge loading on two of the inputs. A further convenience feature is the mute/stereo/mono mix switch on the front.
The LCR Phono is available in both of our industrial design styles: Kinsuido is influenced by 1970’s Japanese Hi-Fi and MCM aesthetics, while the A/Machines visually pays respects to early Western Electric and Klangfilm equipment. Custom finishes are available by request.
The LCR Phono is priced at $24,000 including vacuum tubes.
Visit us in Room 1420 to experience the LCR Phono and the full suite of Treehaus Audiolab speakers and amplification products. Special guests joining the room will our friends from Iconoclast Cables, SME Limited Precision Turntables and Tonearms, and DaVa Field Coil Cartridges.
About Treehaus Audiolab
Audio Mania, the pursuit of best sound, is our design ethos. We find inspiration in technology from the golden ages of audio around the world, and reimagine it for the 21st century listener. Treehaus Audiolab was founded in 2017 in Connecticut
