Chord Company Launches PhonoARAY: Advanced Solution for Turntable Grounding and EMI Reduction
Just when it seemed the vinyl resurgence couldn't get any more interesting, Chord Company steps in with the PhonoARAY—a novel solution aiming to minimize electromagnetic interference in turntable setups. With over 40 years of experience in shielding audio systems from external noise, Chord's latest offering is designed to protect that ultra-sensitive phono signal.
Encased in a thick-walled machined aluminum housing, the PhonoARAY isn't just about aesthetics. The aluminum provides both electrical and acoustic isolation, while the resin-filled chamber inside works to reduce microphony—those pesky mechanical vibrations that can sneak into your audio as unwanted noise.
At its core, the PhonoARAY features a hand-wound, ultra-high-current series filter connected across both terminals, paired with Chord's proprietary ARAY system in parallel. This combination creates a double 'virtual earth system' for both the turntable and the phono stage, aiming to shield sensitive signals from external interference. The goal? Cleaner, more detailed sound reproduction.
Connecting the PhonoARAY is straightforward. It uses two 4 mm speaker-style banana or spade connectors to link the earth terminal of your turntable (or tonearm) to the earth terminal of your phono stage (or amplifier's phono input). It comes with a high-quality 50 cm screened earth cable (4 mm connector to spade connector) to get you started.
What's more, the PhonoARAY is versatile enough to fit into various turntable configurations, whether your setup includes a built-in phono stage or an external one. If you're using an external phono stage, there's even the option to add a second PhonoARAY to connect the phono stage earth to the amplifier earth, potentially enhancing the grounding system further.
To combat vibrations, the PhonoARAY is equipped with lightweight, decoupled isolation feet. This, combined with the robust enclosure and internal damping, underscores Chord's commitment to tackling interference from every angle.
Of course, achieving the best possible sound from vinyl involves several factors—a quality turntable, a good cartridge and stylus, solid amplification, and decent speakers or headphones. Even when all these elements are in place, grounding issues can sometimes spoil the party. The PhonoARAY offers a potential solution to those stubborn grounding problems.
However, with a price tag of £1,000, it's worth ensuring that all existing connections in your setup are optimized before making the investment. For those serious about squeezing every ounce of performance from their vinyl, the PhonoARAY might just be the next piece of the puzzle.
The PhonoARAY is available now through authorized dealers. It includes a 0.5 m Clearway earth cable, but if you need something longer or higher-end, additional cables are available:
- Clearway 1m earth cable: £140
- Shawline 1m earth cable: £280
For more information, check out chord.co.uk.
