Sutherland 20/20 Phono Pre- Why it Sounds so Good?

Having lived with the Sutherland 20/20 phono preamp for several weeks I may have discovered why it sounds so good- this little blurb from the Stereophile review-

"However, the rise in response above 15kHz shows that Ron Sutherland wanted the 20/20's ultrasonic correction to conform to the so-called "Neumann fourth pole," which is intended to compensate for the cutter head's departure from a perfect preemphasis curve.1"

The RIAA filter allows a rising response to compensate for the cutter head! I have not seen this done on any other phono stage.

Even though it is out of the hearing range for many people it does have a very crystaline, sweet, very extended treble response that is really enjoyable. Not bright at all but extended like few vinyl systems I have heard. It lets the cartridge shine and relay all the detail it is picking up.
This is just one aspect of the sound that I really like- it is superbly dynamic, impeccably clean sounding and free from noisy electronic artifacts.
Highly recommended if you are in the market for a phono preamp in this price range.

 

He does make a great phono stage, I have the Insight and absolutely love it.

I may step up to the 20/20 some day (-;

 

If anyone is interested, there's a new listing on audiogon for a nearly new Insight at $800.

 

I have talked to Ron several times at shows. Great guy: very nice and very knowledgeable. Makes great products.

Happy you are getting excellent results!

 

Sutherland is underrated. I had the one with all the D batteries and it was fantastic.

 

Thanks for sharing @avanti1960! This is more of a detailed answer than I ever would have found. I'll I know is I love my 20/20 and I can't ever imaging a need to change. I might want to just for fun someday, but I don't believe I will ever *need* to change it. It's really lived up to expectations so far, and I'm excited to see what it can do as I move further up the audio chain over time.

 

Wow, there was one on my local Craigslist just yesterday. I was contemplating it last night. I just checked again - GONE!

 

How much was it listed for?

 

And you can make it even better with a simple OPA upgrade. Sutherland Ph3D Phonostage Review

 

The 20/20 is a little different from the PH3D, it uses a TI INA163 low-noise instrumentation amplifier IC and then a BB OPA134 opamp, and instead of capacitor coupling it uses a BB OPA627 opamp to zero out the DC.

 

Think it sounds different than the ph3d? thanks. Duo looks tempting

 

I've never heard any of them. Most of my gear follows a different design philosophy with discrete circuits and no electrolytic capacitors, almost the antithesis in some respects with his ICs and banks of low ESR electrolytics, but Sutherland does make some nice gear, and has a pretty strong reputation in the audio world.

 

I had the Insight and thought it was a very good stage. Not surprised the 20/20 is a keeper. Assuming you like it better than the BCSEII?

 

The rising response may very well be what sets it apart from many others, but quite a few manufacturers use the Neumann "4th pole" technique, including Lounge and Parasound. I think JA claims this emphasizes ticks and pops.

 

I don't know about all of that, but I can tell you my 20/20 significantly reduced pops and ticks compared to my previous stage, but the 20/20 is also massively in another league.

 

mike, yes. the 20/20 sounds more transparent and cleaner, slightly more dynamic, better treble extension. i really like it! but i do miss the bass rumble filters though.

 

thanks for the info. possibly cartridge dependent but i have not noticed any emphasis on ticks and pops and the system sounds quieter than ever.

 

I had some reservations about the design as well but the Stereophile class A review and their general high regards for all of the Sutherland stages put those doubts to rest- as well as a 60 day return policy!

 

Do what I did and buy a KAB RF-1. Does a great job without changing the sound.

 

I sure hope it doesn't !

 

Well, you know what I mean.

Removes the overactive woofer problem while keeping the audible sound intact.

 

No problems with bass using the KAB with MCs?

 

None at all. With and without it, there's no change in sound. Just that my woofers aren't as half active as without it.

 

I have both the KAB RF-1 and the Sutherland 20/20. If anything, the bass is punchier/deeper with the KAB inserted. Probably due to removing all the sub-sonic noise. I will never remove it from my setup.

 

You don't have to run it with a 47KΩ load?