TA2031 TRIO - KENWOOD Integrated Circuit

TA2031 TRIO - KENWOOD Integrated Circuit

The TA2031 (often associated with Kenwood/Trio) is a monolithic integrated circuit commonly used as a phono preamplifier (Phono Equalizer / RIAA) or audio preamplification stage in vintage Hi-Fi equipment (Kenwood/Trio amplifiers and receivers from the 70s/80s).

The main technical specifications and features are summarised below:

Main Features

• Function: Low-noise audio preamplifier / RIAA equaliser.
• Package type: 8-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package).
• Typical application: Input stage for turntables (MM - Moving Magnet cartridges) in Kenwood receivers and amplifiers.

Electrical Specifications (Typical from datasheet)

• Supply voltage ($V_{CC}$):
  • Dual (split): typically from $\pm 15V$ to $\pm 24V$ (depending on the specific circuit schematic of the device).
• Low Noise: Specifically designed to handle very low voltage signals coming from phonograph cartridges, minimising background hiss.
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Extremely low (typical values {{topic}}lt; 0.05%$ at 1 kHz).
• Frequency response: Incorporates the compensation network for the standard RIAA curve.

Replacement Notes

• Being a proprietary or at least era-specific component, it is currently out of production (obsolete).
• In the event of a failure, technicians often replace it with equivalent discrete component circuits or adapters based on modern low-noise operational amplifiers (e.g. NE5532 or OPA2134), subject to checking the supply voltages and wiring.