HI-Q Phono stage - Anyone know of this?

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

Someone on here had one of these but I can't find the thread...

Does anyone know of this company and it's HI-Q balanced stage? - How it sounds?

Many thanks
Joe

[The Grand Wazoo]

It's excellent.
Hi-Q were based in Lincoln and Nigel in Chantry Audio used to stock their gear. I think they mostly made custom pro gear. I can't remember the name of the guy I met a few times, though we did once seriously speak of the idea of them making me an all-valve 3-way active crossover - dem was the days!

[The Black Adder]

Cheers Chris.

I may try one... I found the thread in the end with one being discussed by your good self. So what happend to the guys? I am a little concerned with the configuration of the load switches inside, nobody knows whats what with them. Do you know or anyone else?

[The Grand Wazoo]

I'm afraid I don't know. I half remember that thread - did I suggest that HiFi Dave or DSJR are friends with Nigel, who has retired to France. And that maybe contact could be made through that avenue? I expect Nigel will have a better chance of knowing how to contact the Hi-Q folks.

[The Black Adder]

Nice one. I'll ask Dave unless he's loitering about here..

Nah then, Dave! You there me ol sunshine?.. lol

[sq225917]

You'll be able to work out the loading by following the circuit traces.

[DSJR]

If it's Path Premier Nigel, then hifi dave may be able to help possibly.

[hifi_dave]

It's not Nigel, ex-Path.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I was sure one of you two guys said they were still in contact with Chantry Audio Nigel in France?

[vinylspinner]

Joe,

I have the Iota Median balanced version, a 3 box design which is made up with box 1 power supply, box 2 adjustable MM stage, box 3 adjustable MC stage, very good imho, happy to let you try it out if you wish.


Nigel

I have the manuals with all the dip switch settings

[hifi_dave]

Chantry Audio rings a bell but I'm not in contact with a Nigel.

Do you have any more clues ?

[The Grand Wazoo]

I must be mistaken Dave.

[vinylspinner]

Hi Chris,

I got my gear from Chantry Audio and dealt with a chap called Nigel (my namesake) they had a small shop close to Newark, that closed and they then took a small unit on an industrial estate nearer to Derby, I have the address some where, I will dig it out, I think that Nigel has long since moved on, he talked about a new turntable project he was working on, I never heard anything more and all phone numbers went dead.

Nigel

[The Black Adder]

Thanks guys..

Nigel.. just sent you a pm. Cheers fella

[hifi_dave]

Chantry Audio and Nigel are stirring memories but I can't quite get it. What did Chantry do ?

[The Grand Wazoo]

It was a shop in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire a little way up the A1 from Newark. Nigel Brown was the proprietor.

[The Black Adder]

I too have heard of Chantry but I'm same as Dave I think, can't remember anything much about them... Be great to find out though, hope we can.

[vinylspinner]

That is right Chris, it was Tuxford near Newark, they closed and moved to a small unit nr derby, I may still have that address and tel. number, but I fear that they have long gone now.

My Iota phono stage is very good and cost over a grand for the 3 boxes, that must be almost 10 years ago now.

Nigel

[The Grand Wazoo]

Yes, I lived a few miles up the road near Retford and Chantry Audio was my local hi-fi shop. The last time I had dealings with him, Nigel supplied me with a Koetsu Black. We moved away soon afterwards.

[The Outcast]

Just read the hifi world review. Love to give this a whirl.
:D

[vinylspinner]

Hi Hesketh,
Can you provide a link to the review?

Nigel

[Lionheart]

I've been trying to find the dip switch settings for my HIQ phono stage for a few years now,, I asked the same question a while back and got this reply from another forum

From the picture I would guess that DIP positions 1 and 8 select the load impedance between 47k (MM) and 100R (MC), and positions 2 and 7 select gain.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.jpg.html)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj.jpg.html)

[Firebottle]

Hi John, with a couple more photos I should be able to work out the switch settings.
Can you take a photo of the board directly above the DIP switches that shows the colours on the resistors more clearly, plus a photo of the trackwork on the underside of the board?

:cool: Alan

[Lionheart]

Cheers, Alan.....Thanks for the quick reply, here are some more photos of the PS

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/014_zps55bad8ce.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/014_zps55bad8ce.jpg.html)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/008_zps38d9f684.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/008_zps38d9f684.jpg.html)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/003_zpse3692389.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/003_zpse3692389.jpg.html)

[Arkless Electronics]

It's excellent.
Hi-Q were based in Lincoln and Nigel in Chantry Audio used to stock their gear. I think they mostly made custom pro gear. I can't remember the name of the guy I met a few times, though we did once seriously speak of the idea of them making me an all-valve 3-way active crossover - dem was the days!

That's certainly do-able. If you had to ask how much it would cost though...... :eek:

[Mr Kipling]

Chantry Audio and Nigel are stirring memories but I can't quite get it. What did Chantry do ?

For a short period, he did a piece for The Audiophile - I think.

[Mr Kipling]

Another photo of the tracks around the switches would be helpful.

[Lionheart]

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa466/lionheart-uk/011_zps9f8cf172.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/lionheart-uk/media/011_zps9f8cf172.jpg.html)

[Firebottle]

John, it looks like only switches 1, 3, 6 and 8 are used.
Switch 1 & 8 : Off = 47K input resistance, On = 100 ohms input resistance.

Switch 3 & 6 : Off = Low gain (MM), On = High gain (MC).

:cool: Alan

Edit: It looks like switches 1 & 2 and 7 & 8 are in parallel. These switch in the 100 ohm loading resistor, so presumably the designer thought that if two are used together the switch resistance should create no audible effect.

[Lionheart]

Alan..............I really appreciate you taking the time to work out my PS settings, your an absolute superstar my friend.

[Firebottle]

Cheers,

Alan

[darkmatter]

Anyone know what other models they made?

[337alant]

Buy or build one of these http://www.hagtech.com/bugle2.html
Basically the same principle 3 opamps

Alan

[Rush2112]

Hi, it's great to find so many people remember my good friend Nigel Brown of Chantry Audio who is sorely missed ! However, retirement (well from Hi-Fi in the UK) is suiting him well in France. As for Hi - Q phono stages and other products these were development projects of Nigel and Mark Hudson if Hi-Q Sound. Mark is still very much involved in the audio world and may if your lucky be persuaded to take time out to build you one of the great Iota phono stages, I am the fortunate owner if the signature balanced version which is by far the best phono stage I have heard and I know it was also Nigel's phono stage of choice and he had tried many phono stages from the likes of EAR Krell Audio Research etc Nigel being a confirmed vinyl lover and owner of an SME 20 SME V Koetsu Urushi so I think that says everything !

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/yqyzabe6.jpg

As for me it's a Pink Truangle Anniversary SE with SME V Koetsu Rosewood Signature.

HI Q Sound
Cliff Farm, Lincoln, North Carlton LN1 2RP
01522 730969

sales@hiqsound.co.uk

[

[The Grand Wazoo]

There ya go! I remembered some of it correctly.
So I'm not going completely mad then?!

[darkmatter]

Hi, it's great to find so many people remember my good friend Nigel Brown of Chantry Audio who is sorely missed ! However, retirement (well from Hi-Fi in the UK) is suiting him well in France. As for Hi - Q phono stages and other products these were development projects of Nigel and Mark Hudson if Hi-Q Sound. Mark is still very much involved in the audio world and may if your lucky be persuaded to take time out to build you one of the great Iota phono stages, I am the fortunate owner if the signature balanced version which is by far the best phono stage I have heard and I know it was also Nigel's phono stage of choice and he had tried many phono stages from the likes of EAR Krell Audio Research etc Nigel being a confirmed vinyl lover and owner of an SME 20 SME V Koetsu Urushi so I think that says everything !

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/yqyzabe6.jpg

As for me it's a Pink Truangle Anniversary SE with SME V Koetsu Rosewood Signature.

HI Q Sound
Cliff Farm, Lincoln, North Carlton LN1 2RP
01522 730969

sales@hiqsound.co.uk

[

Interesting background would be interested to hear one of these only problem my system is S/E only no balanced connections from my TT or to my power amp

[Rush2112]

Hi there is a single ended option too but of course a phono cartridge is by design a balanced source so it makes sense to put balanced connectors on at least the input side even if the output is single ended to the preamp

[Iota 1]

I realise this thread was posted a long time ago but for anyone interested that comes across one of these phono stages, and there are quite a few out there. Please accept the following information.
***********************************
The LCP 2.

The LCP 2 is a dedicated low noise phono stage designed to operate with both moving
magnet & moving coil cartridges. The equalisation of the cartridge input closely
follows the RIAA equalisation curve. The unit is powered by a fully regulated external
mains supply, which is designed for continuous operation if required.

The LCP 2 offers separate termination and gain structures for both moving coil and
moving magnet. In order to select either option; disconnect the unit from the mains
supply and remove the four screws, which hold the front panel in place.

Immediately behind the front panel you will find a bank of small red DIL switches.
When ALL switches are in the ON position the unit is configured for MC. With
ALL switches set OFF the unit will operate in MM mode.

The gold sockets on the rear of the unit are marked as follows.
Input: These sockets Accept the cables FROM your turntable.
Output: connect a pair of cables from these sockets TO any line level input on your integrated amp / pre amp.
(The red Banded plug is the right hand channel; black is the left-hand channel.)

DO NOT plug the unit into any input marked phono, if your amplifier is already
fitted with an existing internal phono stage, as this could overload the existing stage!

The connector marked Ground will accept the earth wire from your turntable, (if it is
fitted with one). It is advisable to make all connections to and from the unit before
connecting the mains supply to the socket marked Power.

*******************************************

The termination offered by the phono stage is as follows:


Moving Magnet... 47 k Ohms. Load resistance.

Sensitivity......5.0 mV (notional...see below).

*********************

Moving Coil..... 100 Ohms. Load resistance.

Sensitivity......0.5 mV ( notional...see below).

NB Please note due to the excellent headroom and noise performance of the LCP2 cartridges with a specification outside that stated above will operate quite happily without overload, or excessive noise problems.

[The Black Adder]

Hi Nigel.

Great!... many thanks for updating this thread... the settings you have posted will be very helpful to some here I'm sure.

:)