Sutherland 20/20 - Manual (Page 3)

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Another path to the same destination.
It is a pleasure to announce a new phono preamplifier from Sutherland Engineering. It is derived
from the best elements of the PH3D and the Hubble. The signal path is almost the same as the
Hubble; the construction is as simple as the PH3D. It has an elegant esthetic of performance, value,
craftsmanship and minimalism.
That heritage, however, does not keep the 20/20 design from taking on its own unique character.
First. Everyone wants the advantages of AC power line isolation offered by battery operation. The
20/20 is for the person who wants those advantages, but does not want to mess with batteries. The
20/20 comes as close as possible to offering an equivalence of battery isolation from AC line power.
Second. Two-Mono (definition: bumping it up from dual-mono) construction. The 20/20 is literally two
identical mono phono preamplifiers. Each channel is on its own circuit board, has its own shielded
compartment, power indicator, its own AC power supply and its own power cord. It is the ultimate in
channel separation.
AC Power, the Sutherland Way
TWO-MONO
In the quest for the ultimate in stereo separation, the 20/20 goes beyond dual mono, offering instead
what I like to call “two-mono.” Many audiophiles prefer using mono-block amplification for the benefits
of eliminating crosstalk and other noise contaminants associated with shared power supplies. They
also prefer the benefit of each amp having its own resevoir of power, increasing dynamic capabilities,
and giving the amp a sense of ease. The exact advantage can be had in a phono-preamplifier, where
noise is the worst of enemies. The 20/20 may look like a conventional stereo phono stage, but take off
the cover. You will discover two identical mono phono circuit boards, sharing only the same front and
back panels. Power supplies, power cords , and all circuitry are separate. Even the power indicator
lights are independent.