Whest Audio whestTWO.2 Discrete Phono Preamplifier

Taking the whestTWO.2 further comes the new 2022 whestTWO.2 Discrete. It is built to complement any entry-level turntable front-end, but it can also be integrated into any high-end turntable front-end system because of its inherent high-resolution capabilities.

Like all whest audio phono stages, the whestTWO.2 Discrete is tonally neutral and has plenty of current drive, making it the perfect partner for any high-end system. Like its smaller sibling, the whestTWO.2 Discrete owes much to our heritage in small signal design, microphone preamplifier design and our understanding of ultra-low-noise solid-state circuitry.

Connecting the whestTWO.2 Discrete, like all whest audio phono stages, is easy and flexible. There is one pair of audiophile quality RCA connectors for the input section, with a substantial ground post for the turntable ground. For outputs, one stereo pair is available via RCA for connecting to a main system. A second output on balanced 3-pin XLR can be used to connect your whestTWO.2 Discrete to a stand-alone digital or analog recorder or headphone amplifier for accurate and low-noise transfer work or high-quality headphone listening.

With the whestTWO.2 Discrete, high-resolution vinyl playback is within your reach.

It’s just like a small whestTHREE Signature. Like all of the Whest Audio designs, the whestTWO.2 has been designed for use primarily for MC (moving coil) use. This means that to obtain the lowest possible noise levels and highest resolution, we recommend the use of medium to low output MC cartridges. During its development we used the following cartridges: Ortofon MC Anna, Denon DL 304 (0.18mv), EMT JSD6 (0.18mv), Lyra Delos (0.6mV) and the Dynavector XV1-T (0.35mV) for much of the listening tests and noise measurements.

High resolution MM Because of the ‘impressive’ neutrality of the whestTHREE Signature and the smaller sibling whestTWO.2 in MC mode, we know that absolutely ANY high-end high performance MC cartridge can be used. For MM (moving magnet) use, the input capacitance has been trimmed to give the flattest response curve for most of the new breed of high-performance moving magnets and moving irons on the market today. Vinyl playback with MM never sounded so good at this price level. For listening in MM mode we used the Ortofon 2M RED and Black, Goldring 2500, Grado Reference 1 Phono and Audio Technica VM760SLC, VM AT440 MLA and AT95E, Rega Exact and the Roksan Corus Silver.

Like all Whest Audio phono stages, the whestTWO.2 also employs a fully discrete transistor ClassA high output current output stage. Unheard of at this price range, the whestTWO.2 employs an ‘elevated power rail’ section which gives far greater dynamic performance as well as lower noise specs for ‘earth shattering’ micro detail resolving power. This coupled with the high performance, bespoke high voltage power supply will give you a level of musical performance you thought was only possible well outside of its price range.

The whestTWO.2 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.

The whestTWO.2 comes as standard fitted 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 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 has a 12 year pedigree behind it.

The whestTWO.2 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 and how it will perform with your current turntable setup then just drop us an email.

Features

• Designed and Optimised for MC Cartridges
• High Resolution even with MM Cartridges
• Fully discrete transistor ClassA high output current output stage
• Multiple loading and gain options 
• True Balanced Outputs
• Interconnects included
• Made in UK

Specifications

• Model No. whestTWO.2 dual mono phonostage
  
• RIAA curve accuracy 17Hz – 21Khz +/- 0.15dB
  
• Working band 5Hz – 76Khz
  
• Gain MM 43dB and 50dB to suit all 1mV to 6mV, MC High 55dB and 60dB to suit all 0.3mV – 0.8mV, MC Low 65dB and 70dB to suit all 0.18mV - 2.5mV
  
• Loading in ohms 100,220,470,1k,15k,47k
  
• THD+N 0.005%
  
• Connections Unbalanced RCA
  
• Connectors Gold Audiophile
  
• Unpacked weight 2.3Kgs
  
• Packed weight 3.4Kgs
  
• Dimensions 1 x 252mm x 245mm x 58mm
  
• Operating voltage 230VAC 50 Hz

Includes