This is a review and detailed measurements of the Rek-O-Kut - Ultra Phono Preamplifier. It costs US $159.
As "DIY looking" audio gear goes, this is one of the better implementation. The case is metal and weighs reasonable amount to stay put and not get tugged by the RCA cables. Differentiating on the functionality side is support for dual turntables, and four different EQ settings to account for lack of standardization in early years of LP production.
Back panel is as you expect with power provided by a 24 volt switching power supply:
For a budget product, I think this is excellent look and functionality.
Rek-O-Kut Ultra Phono Measurements
Since the only support is for moving magnet cartridges, testing is much simplified. So let's start with our dashboard using RIAA equalization:
I substantially reduced ground loop in the red channel but I was powerless on the blue. I tried every combination of grounding and it would either not get better or get worse. Whether that is a design problem or my setup, I can't tell for sure. Giving it benefit of doubt and going with red channel performance, we get slightly above average combination of noise and distortion:
Most important measurement is frequency response and RIAA implementation and here, performance is excellent:
Going through other settings we get:
I have little understanding of these other equalization modes so I let you all judge that.
Dashboard measurements unfortunately are limited by noise. So let's eliminate that and just look at the distortion:
I am assuming the lower performance channel may be suffering from mains noise. Regardless, performance is good enough relative to native LP performance.
Let's see when the unit clips so that we know its level of "headroom" (ability to deal with loud pops and static):
Ah, this is very low. Testing at other frequencies shows clipping point becoming much earlier:
Better use very clean LPs with this pre-amp.
Conclusions
I really like the look and feel of this unit for a budget product and its extra functionality. While there are some highlights in measurements such as excellent RIAA equalization, headroom is lacking. As a person who hates LP pops and ticks, the Rek-O-Kut - Ultra Phono Preamplifier is not for me and I can't recommend it. Your priorities may be different so you choose.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
As "DIY looking" audio gear goes, this is one of the better implementation. The case is metal and weighs reasonable amount to stay put and not get tugged by the RCA cables. Differentiating on the functionality side is support for dual turntables, and four different EQ settings to account for lack of standardization in early years of LP production.
Back panel is as you expect with power provided by a 24 volt switching power supply:
For a budget product, I think this is excellent look and functionality.
Rek-O-Kut Ultra Phono Measurements
Since the only support is for moving magnet cartridges, testing is much simplified. So let's start with our dashboard using RIAA equalization:
I substantially reduced ground loop in the red channel but I was powerless on the blue. I tried every combination of grounding and it would either not get better or get worse. Whether that is a design problem or my setup, I can't tell for sure. Giving it benefit of doubt and going with red channel performance, we get slightly above average combination of noise and distortion:
Most important measurement is frequency response and RIAA implementation and here, performance is excellent:
Going through other settings we get:
I have little understanding of these other equalization modes so I let you all judge that.
Dashboard measurements unfortunately are limited by noise. So let's eliminate that and just look at the distortion:
I am assuming the lower performance channel may be suffering from mains noise. Regardless, performance is good enough relative to native LP performance.
Let's see when the unit clips so that we know its level of "headroom" (ability to deal with loud pops and static):
Ah, this is very low. Testing at other frequencies shows clipping point becoming much earlier:
Better use very clean LPs with this pre-amp.
Conclusions
I really like the look and feel of this unit for a budget product and its extra functionality. While there are some highlights in measurements such as excellent RIAA equalization, headroom is lacking. As a person who hates LP pops and ticks, the Rek-O-Kut - Ultra Phono Preamplifier is not for me and I can't recommend it. Your priorities may be different so you choose.
---------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/