The P-200 is a full function stand alone vacuum tube phono preamplifier employing our implementation of truly classic and time proven circuit configurations. Simple and elegant topologies and powering schemes that have been used successfully since the “golden age” of Hi Fi. Triangle Art has methodically gone through all aspects of the design of this vacuum tube preamplifier and applied it’s own “magic touch” and long time audio engineering experience to everything from mechanical layout, heavy duty chassis design, use of an external power supply and careful and meticulous selection of the finest electronic components and wiring and a printed circuit board using a symmetrical signal flow layout.
Features:
The P-200 offers a total of 3 phono cartridge inputs, one standard moving magnet (MM) or standard level input and two moving coil (MC) or low level inputs. The inputs are selected via front panel switches which select either the MM input or, if set to MC, one of the two MC inputs.
MC input one and two differ only the connector format, MC being a standard RCA input while MC 2 is available on a female XLR connector when this type of interconnect is preferred
The output signal is available on two separate connector types, RCA and XLR.
The power transformer of the P-200 is housed in a separate chassis and connects to the main unit via and umbilical cord and multi pin connectors on both chassis.
Power indication is by a blue LED built into the power switch on the front panel of the preamplifier chassis.
Technical details:
The preamplifier uses two identical low noise triode gain stages with passive RIAA equalization between these two stages. The passive RIAA network offers very accurate equalization, deviation from the RIAA curve is less than 0.5 dB. Since equalization is passive there is never a variance in response with tube changes, as can be the case with active EQ when gain margins are insufficient.
Total gain is 45 dB for MM and an additional 26 dB of gain are provided via a high quality step up transformer when the MC input is selected. Input impedance is standard
47 k Ohms and 150pF for the MM input and approximately 100 Ohms for the MC input. Most MC cartridges will work with the P-200 as delivered, however if specific loading, resistive for MC or capacitive for MM, the factory can provide assistance.
All 3 twin triodes in the P-200 are shared between the left and the right channel. This allows greater flexibility when selecting tubes for personal taste preferences in sonics. If for example a user locates one special tube, vintage or otherwise, but only one, this can be installed in the preferred position of the circuit board to full benefit. Not sharing triode sections would require finding 2 identical tubes.
The output is buffered and is capable of driving virtually any standard interconnect.
The power supply is passive, both the high voltage supply and the filament supply. This is a design choice. Both supplies are very heavily filtered and the high voltage supply has additional limiting and stabilization built in to prevent turn on surges from placing unnecessary stress on the triodes, but is effectively passive. High quality electronic components are used through out the circuit such as Mundorf capacitors and resistors by AMRG. All signal wiring is silver.
TAS Editors Choice Award 2023
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/triangle-art-p-200-phonostage/
admin –
Hi again Tom
I just received the P200 Phono preamp the other day, and thought I would drop a line on you about this (and I don’t say this often) FANTASTIC P200 phono preamp.
I’m not one for boasting about the new gear, also I tend not to always listen closely to alot of hype when it comes to this stuff as I have heard and seen alot. But WOW. I am hearing things that I have never heard from my previous phono preamp before. (and it was a nice little preamp too.) But, when I hooked up the P200, it was honestly a difference that I could hear immediately straight out of the box. Gear like this has to render a great affect on me to actually take the time to send in positive comments. And this Preamp really hit the sweet spot with me. Thanks and Keep it coming.
Terry.
admin –
After purchasing TriangleArt’s Anubis turntable with the Osiris tonearm and Apollo cartridge, and really enjoying my purchase, Tom Vu came to me to see what I was using for a phono-stage. Previously, I was using step up transformers into my MM input in my preamp and another brand’s MC phono-stage and was very happy with my choices so far. Tom indicated to me that his phono-stage is a superior phono preamplifier and that the same wonderful dynamics and extremely detailed sound would carry over with the P-200. Tom makes the P-200 with multiple inputs and outputs which would help me with two turntables, each with two tonearms (I had plans at the time to buy another Osiris tonearm, which I’ve purchased). Since I was so thoroughly blown away by TriangleArt so far, I decided to go for it and purchased the P-200.
I have spent two months now with the P-200 and it will never leave my system. Not only did it have the same sound signature as his turntable package, it elevated my entire system considerably. No adjustments at all as the P-200 works with any cartridge of an internal impedance of lower than 10 ohms, as well as load impedance of 100 ohms. Most of my cartridges are well within these parameters. I’ve never heard my other cartridges sound so good, but the Apollo was ethereal, musical and magic. I even use my medium output cartridge with a step up transformer plugged into the MM input and even that cartridge sounds much better through the P-200. Tom’s P-200 is dead quiet and built like a tank. It’s the best phonostage I’ve ever used or heard. Now I’m so intrigued by his other electronics, his amps and preamp, and his cables. His house sound is detail, musical, and has massive soundstage. So far, everything I’ve heard from TriangleArt is consistent to this ethos of sound.
My vinyl has now come alive. The background is super quiet, the soundstage is incredibly wide and tall, the detail is breathtaking. It’s neither warm nor neutral. No need to analyze the sound, it’s just simply musical. The sound is elegant yet dynamic. Incredible!!!!
I wrote this review to not help Tom sell his turntables and electronics, I wrote this to inform anyone who wants to listen, that you have to at least demo his gear, because you will be purchasing his products after you hear what you’ve been missing. Everyone who has sat in my chair to hear my system has been blown away, so much so, that many of them are trying to figure out why their systems don’t sound like a live concert anymore. I expect them to be contacting me soon for Tom’s phone number. If I were starting all over again, I would definitely start with TriangleArt and build an entire system with his components with the centerpiece being one of his reference turntables. I’ve been in this hobby for 25 years and would have saved a ton of money if I were starting now and knew Tom and TriangleArt.
Adam Skipper
admin –
Two words, Extreme Upgrade! It’s a product like this that makes high-end audio so enjoyable. P200 👍🏼
Harry
admin –
A Shout-Out to Tom Vu and TriangleArt!
Hi all, I am a frequent reader on this forum but seldom post anything.I’m not much of a talker, I guess. That notwithstanding, I wanted to take a moment and share my immensely positive experience working with Tom Vu of TriangleArt. About two months ago I contacted Tom about purchasing one of his Zeus MC cartridges. I did buy one, and it is an absolute gem. Well, one thing led to another and I then purchased one of his new phonostages, the P-200 (replaced an ARC Ref Phono 3). While I was at it, I also bought a Maestro turntable from him (replaced Feickert Woodpecker). I had long been curious about his products after reading much about him and his design philosophy. Suffice it to say that I am over the moon happy with the SQ being produced by my system, and I suspect I will be long be a customer of Tom’s. Even more important is that Tom, in my opinion, is one of the truly good ones in the audio business. His pride shines through in every interaction. He cares deeply about me as a customer, and is darn near as giddy as I am with every update I provide. Everything he promised he delivered in spades. Really, just a top notch experience. If you are shopping for analog gear, be sure to consider Tom and TraingleArt. Again, I seldom post but was so impressed that I had to share. Take care everyone and enjoy the music!
Mark J