"Performance Realized": Sutherland Dos Locos Transimpedance Monoblock MC Phono Preamplifier Delivers Need-to-Hear-It-to-Believe-It Purity and Clarity

The Sutherland Dos Locos transimpedance monoblock MC phono preamplifier is a reference-level solution for music lovers married to low-output, low internal resistance (20 ohms or less) MC cartridges. Tube, solid-state, and hybrid phono preamplifiers all have limitations on dynamics and noise floor when it comes to matching with low-output MC cartridges. Dos Locos eliminates those problems and delivers a far richer, grander experience.

Compared to conventional units, transimpedance phono preamplifiers switch up the game by amplifying the delicate phono signal in current mode instead of the voltage mode that all traditional models use. The result? Bigger dynamics that you must experience to believe — as well as a much lower noise floor. Dos Locos provides a sense of realism few phonostages can match.

Setting up the Dos Locos couldn’t be easier. Remove the top cover, and simply set the gain jumpers to low, med, or high to work with your cartridge. It’s always powered up, so you don’t even need to look for an on/off switch. Audiophile performance has seldom been more straightforward.

Relatedly, Sutherland products have long had a reputation for top sonics and top build quality, all the while embracing a physical simplicity. The U.S.A.-made Dos Locos upholds that tradition via an incredible four-chassis (or two, if you just want a single Dos Locos for a mono setup) package that features thick, machined aluminum front faceplates in silver with amber LED or in black with blue LED. Either way, the Dos Locos can only accommodate one cartridge, with RCA inputs and outputs; plan accordingly for your system. Those of you with two turntables will need "Quatro" Locos.

Mr. Sutherland, known to many as a top-notch phono preamplifier expert who also happened to serve as one of MartinLogan’s initial designers, says Dos Locos “moved into something that goes well beyond technical description.” You’ll need to hear one in your system to verify tis claim, but the world’s top audiophiles swear by the virtues of the transimpedance approach. And our 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee gives you the peace of mind required to experience it for yourself.

Need a short list of suggested cartridges that work best with the Dos Locos? Call your Music Direct audio specialist and we’ll help with any needs. (Note that MM, MI, and high-output MC cartridges are incompatible with Dos Locos.)

More About Dos Locos
Born from the innovative spirit of the Phono Loco, with its pioneering all-transimpedance approach, Dos Locos stands as a significant advancement in Ron Sutherland's artistry. For the first time, he teamed with trusted, passionate experts to add an ear-approved essence to his already proven approach to elegant circuitry. The decision tree throughout the entire project revolved around one simple question: Performance realized? Everything that made the Sutherland Phono Loco a landmark piece — its no-compromises approach with no concession or allowance for anything that clutters the signal path — is refined to the point of pure musicality with the dual-mono Dos Locos. The minimalist design ensures a signal path of unparalleled purity, letting nothing stand between you and the music. The brilliance of this design isn't in how many parts are added to the signal path but rather how few. But those things have always been hallmarks of Sutherland Engineering. The Dos Locos is at a new level. Even if you fully grasp how significantly a phono preamp affects the sound of your vinyl playback, you're likely not prepared for this: hearing fine details and clarity in recordings that were previously obscured, all with effortless power and not a hint of harshness.