Tim de Paravicini’s The Head P52 Phono Box 💫

 

I only read - never saw one in person, almost doubting it really existed - about this extremely elusive piece of gear, when back in the ‘80s, Sandro Ruggeri, one of my early inspirations and audio mentors and an awesome audio reviewer at Stereoplay magazine, was using it as his absolute reference paired with The Head TX-4 MC transformer.

Hand-made in St. Ives, Cornwall, this golden-faced bullion represented TdP’s peak in phono design for years to come: the “phono box” moniker was used for years to indicate a phono-only preamp also under later EAR - Esoteric Audio Research brand-name.

A few days ago, by absolute chance, I came across this humble gizmo and simply couldn’t resist… first listening soon, after some necessary checking (and sourcing that missing hex-screw) 🍀

Cannot imagine a better way to honor TdP’s memory and heritage, missed and never forgotten, as preserving his unique gears from oblivion… like an imaginary museum of his creation 

💫