Granite Audio Phono Run-In and Test CD

Model CD-101.1 MM and MC Phono Burn-In & RIAA Test CD

The Granite Audio Model #CD-101.1 is a new specially enhanced version of our popular #CD-101 and has the additional Moving Coil Bonus Tracks added, so that it will work on both MM and MC phono preamps.

The Granite Audio CD-101.1 has all the same original 32 tracks as the earlier MM version. The additional Moving Coil track 33, highlighted below in blue text, is specifically designed for the lower signal level of moving coil circuits and is mastered at 0.7mv output level from a standard CD player. Use Track 33 to burn-in your moving coil phono stage. Put your CD player on track 33, single track repeat and only play track 33 repeatedly for optimum burn-in of MC stage. Tracks 1 thru 32 will also burn-in the MC stage, but will do so at a higher voltage level that is equivalent to the output of a MM cartridge.

The Granite Audio Model CD-101.1 is specially recorded with the RIAA Frequency Curve at 4mv output from a standard CD player for playback through the Phono input. This simulates the output level and signal of a Moving Magnet or High-Output Moving Coil phonograph cartridge. For standard burn-in of a phono section, just put this CD on your CD player, plug the RCA analog cables into the phono input and play the entire disc as many times as needed to complete the burn-in process. Playing tracks 1-22 through the phono input will give readings of +0dB to the Reference Tone at the tape output if the preamp's Reverse RIAA circuit is working properly.

Using this CD to burn-in your phono section will save needless wear on your record stylus and turntable. Standard music CD's cannot be used for this purpose because their signal level at 240mv to as much as 4 volts would overload your phono inputs, which are designed to handle only about 4mv of input signal. Also, conventional CD's would have their low frequencies boosted by 20dB more than a phonograph record that was encoded with the RIAA bass rolloff. So, playing a standard music CD through your phono input could also damage your speakers with excessive bass tones. DO NOT attempt to play any standard music CD's through your phono inputs. You can only do this with the Granite Audio Model #CD-101.1 Phono Burn-In CD. Their CD is the only one that has been engineered for this purpose.

"How do I check my RIAA curve?" The first step is to check the amplifier. Plug an audio frequency generator into the amp's phono input. Or use the Granite Audio Model CD-101.1 Phono Burn-In & RIAA Test CD in your CD player plugged into your phono input and use tracks 1-22. Plug a decibel meter into the output. Feed the RIAA test frequencies in at the recommended volume for each. The meter should give a constant reading of 0 dB. Now do the same test with the NAB Test Record supplying the input signal via the turntable. If your response is way off, you will need a knowledgeable tech to modify the loading. Now, spin some vinyl!

Test CD produced by Don Hoglund of Granite Audio using Hewlett-Packard random noise generator, HP decibel meters, Tektronix ultra-low distortion audio signal generator, Tek digital frequency counter, Tek digital decibel meters and Tascam Pro-Studio CDRW. This test CD is not engineered for human consumption. Don't actually listen to it. It is meant to burn-in the phono section while you're not listening to it. Some of the RIAA test tones are recorded more than 70dB below reference and therefore the SN ratio is also very low. Do not play this CD through other inputs because the RIAA high frequencies are 20 dB louder than the reference frequencies when not played through the RIAA equalisation circuit of the phono input and can damage your tweeters or hearing.