Chord PhonoARAY - Earth Noise Attenuator

Chord Company PhonoARAY – Advanced Grounding System for Turntables

PhonoARAY is designed for one purpose: to protect and enhance the most vulnerable signal in your entire audio system – the ground connection between the turntable and the phono stage. The vinyl signal is extremely low, and even minimal interference or electromagnetic noise can affect dynamics, clarity and musicality.

PhonoARAY creates a more stable and quieter reference ground, allowing the pickup's microscopic movements to be translated into cleaner, more natural and more musical sound. The system is developed from Chord Company's deep experience in decoupling, noise reduction and parallel filtering - and builds on technologies from the GroundARAY, PowerARAY and PowerHAUS series.

Highlights

• Optimized ground connection between turntable and phono amplifier
• Advanced ARAY technology in parallel contact with the signal – no filters in the signal path
• Hand-wound, ultra-high-current series component for effective noise dissipation
• Thick-walled, CNC-milled aluminum housing filled with resonance-damping resin
• Two lightweight, fully decoupled vibration feet for maximum isolation
• Supplied with shielded 50 cm ground cable (4 mm for spade)
• Compatible with Clearway, Shawline and Signature ground cables as an upgrade

The ground connection – the overlooked source of noise

A turntable is one of the most sensitive sound sources of all. An MC signal can be over a million times weaker than the level reaching the speakers. Therefore, even small electromagnetic disturbances become a real problem.

The traditional ground connection between the turntable and the phono stage is often an open invitation for noise from motors, power supplies, routers and the rest of the hi-fi system. PhonoARAY addresses exactly this critical point, isolating the ground connection from noise while remaining electrically correct.

Advanced ARAY technology – without affecting the signal path

Inside the PhonoARAY is a hand-wound series component that can handle extremely high current spikes while filtering unwanted noise out of the system. Alongside it lies Chord Company's complex ARAY network, which creates a kind of double "virtual ground" between the turntable and phono amplifier.

This works in parallel with the signal – never in series with it – and therefore does not affect frequency response, impedance or musicality. Instead, it reduces micro-noise and ground loops, resulting in a soundstage with greater coherence, clearer background and more natural musical flow.

Absolutely top-class resonance control

The cabinet is milled from a solid block of aluminum and filled with resin to eliminate microphonic vibrations that can otherwise be converted into electrical noise. The two decoupled feet ensure that the housing stands completely free and does not transfer vibrations from shelves or racks.

This combination of mechanical and electrical isolation is essential for PhonoARAY to create as quiet and stable a reference point as possible.

Simple installation – great effect

PhonoARAY is placed between the turntable ground terminal and the phono stage ground terminal. The included 50 cm shielded ground cable ensures optimal connection. If you have a larger system or want further optimization, PhonoARAY can also be used in other grounding applications in the hi-fi chain.

With upgrade options such as Clearway, Shawline or Signature underground cables, the system can be customized from advanced entry-level systems to high-end setups.

A special tool for those who truly love vinyl

Designed for music lovers who already have a great analog setup – and want to elevate it to a level of more calm, depth and musical authenticity – the Chord Company PhonoARAY is a specialist component that enables the rest of your vinyl system to perform at its absolute best.