Innovative Design Delivers Stunning Sound: The Sutherland TZ Vibe Transimpedance Phono Preamplifier Elevates Performance to New Heights

The innovative design of the Sutherland TZ Vibe Transimpedance Phono Preamplifier represents the best of two marvelous worlds, as it combines elements from two well-established, acclaimed products. The Sutherland KC Vibe provides the foundation and second gain stage. The Sutherland Little Loco Mk2 provides the transimpedance (TZ) input gain stage. The TZ Vibe presents audiophiles with an incredible opportunity to enjoy the Sutherland transimpedance experience at a more accessible price.

Sutherland continues to build on the benefits it has gained through many years of groundbreaking designs. Occasionally, the team discovers a way to do some so-called "design splicing." This isn't a ridiculously grandiose, blank-sheet-of-paper approach. Instead, it is a very practical, efficient, cost-effective way to improve the price-to-performance ratio. And, of course, this plan is always conducted with the meticulous attention to detail and stellar build quality that have made Ron Sutherland a legend in the industry.

The new design of the TZ Vibe "lifts" some circuity from the KC Vibe, and it "lifts" some circuitry from the front of the Little Loco Mk2. Each of those products underwent years of development and is now wildly successful. All of that valuable knowledge and experience helped shape the innovative TZ Vibe.

Like all Music Direct products, the Sutherland TZ Vibe Transimpedance Phono Preamplifier comes with the 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guarantee.

System Requirements

The TZ Vibe presents a virtual short as the cartridge load. Instead of voltage being the input parameter, it is the current generated by the cartridge that conveys musical content. The endless worry about finding the "best" load value has been eliminated.

Your cartridge must be the moving-coil type. Low-output models will perform particularly well with the TZ Vibe. (The TZ Vibe is not compatible with moving-magnet or moving-iron cartridges or with step-up-transformers.)

Thanks to the new Little Loco Mk2 circuit, the shell of the RCA input jack is now at ground. There are no special TT cable requirements. Please contact a Music Direct audio consultant if you have any questions.

Using the TZ Vibe in Your System

Here are basic instructions for setup: Locate the TZ Vibe near your turntable. The turntable signal is applied to the two centrally located RCA jacks on the back panel. Often there is a ground wire coming from the turntable. Connect it to the grounding screw in the center of the back panel. The output of the TZ Vibe goes to a line-level input on your preamp or integrated amplifier.

The DC power connection is made in the opening on the bottom of the TZ Vibe case. Orient the cable routing in the opening so that the case will sit solidly on the four rubber feet.

Load Settings

There are no loading adjustments in the TZ Vibe. Your cartridge will see a load of zero ohms. The input signal will be the current your cartridge produces into that virtual short. There is no need to worry about — or fuss around with — loading choices.

The TZ Vibe is factory-set to medium gain. That should work very well in most situations. The usual concerns about cartridge output voltage do not apply here. Cartridges of varied output voltage specs tend to supply about the same level of drive current into a short. In other words, higher output voltages usually have an associated higher internal resistance; lower output voltages usually have an associated lower internal resistance.

If your particular situation would benefit from a gain adjustment, you can change it. Inside, on the red circuit board, you will see moveable shunts for gain setting. From the factory, they are set to MED GAIN. You can boost the output voltage by 6dB when the shunts are moved to HIGH GAIN. You can reduce the output voltage by 6dB when the shunts are moved to LOW GAIN.

Power Supply

The TZ Vibe uses an external power supply with an unusually high output voltage. Use the TZ Vibe only with the included power supply. It provides the specific requirements that must be met.