All new Class-A Discrete stage
The key to the increased resolution of the whestTWO.2 Discrete is the all discrete transistor and ultra low noise Class-A input stage. This all discrete stage has been modelled on the PS.40RDT Special Edition’s discrete stage so is tried and tested. The ultra low noise level of these new input stages is partly thanks to the use of a using 50 transistors in parallel and utilising this paralleling effect to decrease the overall noise floor of the phono stage’s input stage. The increase in dynamic range is due to the increased voltage and current capability that can only be had when designing such a device to perform a specific task.
Class-A output stage
Like all Whest Audio phono stages, the whestTWO.2 Discrete also employs a fully discrete transistor Class-A high output current output stage. This coupled with the high performance, bespoke and high voltage power supply will give you a level of musical performance you thought was only possible well outside this price range.
Loading options
The whestTWO.2 Discrete is equipped with 6 resistive load and 6 gain options for maximum flexibility with the wide range of cartridges available today. The resistive load options are 100, 220, 470, 1k, 15k and 47k ohms. MM gain is covered by 43dB. High output MC is covered by 50dB, 55dB while the low output MC sets are 60dB, 65dB and 72dB. The standard ‘shipped’ setup is 65dB/100ohms which will suite 95% of MC cartridges today. For the other 5% it is just a matter of removing 2 small M3 screws under the head unit which will give you full access to both channels load and gain switches.
Balanced outputs
The whestTWO.2 Discrete comes with true balanced outputs which are fed from the output of the Class-A stage. While most manufacturers are content with using a 2.00 EUR/ $2.00 IC chip to perform the balancing process and degrading the minute signal in the process, the whestTWO.2 processes the balanced signal exactly like many high-end microphones and mixing desks…this means a perfect balanced feed if you are using long signal lines.
The Power Supply
The high voltage power supply has been adopted and scaled down from the highly acclaimed whestTHREE Signature. The voltage rail voltages are higher than most phono stages 2-3 times its price. Why? Because if properly designed a high voltage design will translate into better dynamic contrasts, better imaging and far better noise performance. It’s good then that the power supply in the whestTWO.2 Discrete has a 12 year pedigree behind it.
Cabling
The whestTWO.2 Discrete comes with its own RCA-RCA 1.2m OFC Audiophile interconnect and 3.5mm Jack to RCA interconnects for connecting to your audio system and connecting to your computer system for high resolution transfers. If you would like to know more about the whestTWO.2 Discrete and how it will perform with your current turntable setup then just drop us an email.
