House of Stereo · Conrad-Johnson
Give your records the attention they deserve.
You chose the cartridge carefully. The little signal coming out of it deserves the same consideration. The Classic Phono SE puts Conrad-Johnson’s tube design philosophy to work at the very beginning of your system.
Inside the design
Purposeful engineering.
Two triode gain stages, passive RIAA equalization, and a cathode-follower output form a zero-feedback circuit. The SE treatment adds laser-trimmed foil resistors and CJD Teflon capacitors in critical positions. Regulated supplies serve the sensitive circuitry.
Build the right system
The details that matter before it arrives.
Choose High Gain (53 dB) for cartridges rated at 1.0 mV or below; choose Low Gain (40 dB) for higher-output cartridges. These are factory configurations, not a front-panel gain switch. Resistive loading is adjustable internally; follow the manual and disconnect power before accessing it. Connect the output to a line-level input, not another phono input.
The numbers
Classic Phono SE specifications
| Gain configurations | High: 53 dB / Low: 40 dB |
|---|---|
| Overload | High: 10 mV / Low: 50 mV |
| Hum and noise | High: <750 µV / Low: <500 µV |
| Output impedance | Below 750 ohms (published specification) |
| Phase | Non-inverting |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 19 × 3.625 × 13.625 inches |
| Net weight | 13 lb |
Keep the useful stuff
Documentation & further reading
Manufacturer resources
Official product information · Download the owner’s manual (PDF)
Independent coverage
Reviews may discuss other versions or earlier pricing; the configuration and price on this page apply to your order.
