SKU: 51695403257

Sutherland Engineering TZ Vibe Trans-Impedance Input Phono Preamplifier

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Description

Sutherland Engineering TZ Vibe Trans-Impedance Input Phono PreamplifierSutherland has the advantage of many model designs over the years. Every so often there is an opportunity to do some design splicing. All of that valuable knowledge and experience is combined into the TZ VIBE. Ron Sutherland Ron Sutherland has been making phono preamps for a very long time. By focusing almost exclusively on phono preamps, his design and circuitry has benefited from continued refinement and improvement over the years. All of those

“Sutherland has the advantage of many model designs over the years. Every so often there is an opportunity to do some ‘design splicing’. All of that valuable knowledge and experience is combined into the TZ VIBE.”
Ron Sutherland

Ron Sutherland has been making phono preamps for a very long time. By focusing almost exclusively on phono preamps, his design and circuitry has benefited from continued refinement and improvement over the years. All of those designs were based upon voltage amplification. The cartridge delivers a small voltage to the phono preamp input. This voltage is then multiplied to create a larger output voltage (along with RIAA EQ). A typical voltage multiplier of 1,000 can also be expressed as 60dB. One millivolt in → one volt out.

In recent times you may have noticed a new kind of phono preamp design, usually referred to as ‘current input’ or ‘trans-impedance’. Until recently, that approach has been very much in the background. However, many audiophiles are now switching over to this style of phono preamplification because it offers some serious benefits. The first trans-impedance phono preamp released by Sutherland Engineering was the PHONO LOCO, which is an ‘all-out’ very high-performance design. Following the immediate success of the PHONO LOCO, there naturally followed a challenge to bring a big measure of that performance to a lower priced model. Sutherland launched the LITTLE LOCO but in recent times, Ron responded to a call to create a trans-impedance phono preamp at an even more accessible price point – the TZ VIBE! The design has combined elements from two of their well established and highly regarded products. The KC VIBE provides the foundation and second gain stage. The little LOCO Mk2 provides the transimpedance (TZ) input gain stage.

According to a rapidly growing number of music lovers around the world, these new ‘current input’ or ‘trans-impedance’ design phono preamplifiers are attracting a lot of attention and respect because they have a unique ability to ‘dig deep into the music’ and ‘bring it to life’. They are dead quiet and very dynamic. The TZ VIBE has most of the magic that has made the LITTLE LOCO an instant classic but at a much -reduced pricing level. As long as you use exclusively MC phono cartridges, the TZ VIBE will not only enthral you… it is a true giant killer.

What is Current Input?

In short, the input signal comes from the current flowing through the cartridge, NOT the voltage from the cartridge. That current information is the input for a transimpedance gain stage (the input signal is current and the output signal is voltage). The connections on the back panel of the TZ VIBE appear to be totally conventional. There is a ground screw for grounding the turntable, two RCA jacks for the input signal from the turntable and two RCA jacks deliver an output signal to your line-level preamp. There is, however, a requirement that both coil connections float with respect to ground. Turntable grounds and cable shields need to go to a separate ground wire. There must be no direct connection from either coil side to chassis ground.

System Considerations

The TZ VIBE presents a virtual short as the cartridge load. Instead of voltage being the input parameter, it is the current generated by the cartridge that conveys musical content. The endless worry about finding the ‘best’ load value is obviated. The cartridge must be the moving coil type. Those with low output will be embraced. Not compatible with moving magnet or moving iron or step-up transformers. Thanks to the new little LOCO Mk2 circuit, the shell of the RCA input jack is now at ground. There are no special TT cable requirements.

Load Settings

There are no loading adjustments in the TZ VIBE. Your cartridge will see a load of zero Ohms. The input signal will be the current your cartridge produces into that virtual short. No need to worry about or fuss around with loading choices.

Gain Settings

Your TZ VIBE is factory-set to medium gain. That should work very well in most situations. The usual concerns about cartridge output voltage do not apply here. Cartridges of varied output voltage specs tend to supply about the same level of drive current into a short. i.e. higher output voltages usually have an associated higher internal resistance. Lower output voltages usually have an associated lower internal resistance.
If your particular situation would benefit from a gain adjustment, you can change it. Inside, on the red circuit board, you will see movable shunts for gain setting. From the factory, they are set to MED GAIN. You can boost the output voltage by 6dB when the shunts are moved to HIGH GAIN. You can reduce the output voltage by 6dB when the shunts are moved to LOW GAIN.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

The TZ VIBE design has combined elements from two of our well established and highly regarded products. The KC VIBE provides the foundation and second gain stage. The little LOCO Mk2 provides the transimpedance (TZ) input gain stage. It is an incredible opportunity to try the Sutherland transimpedance experience at a more accessible price.


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    SKU: 51695403257

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    Secret Angel
    Birmingham, US
    ★★★★★ 5
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    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
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    Donna
    Waukegan, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    These worked for me!
    Color: Original Grey
    They worked great. I bought these for cracked sore heels. It took 2-3 weeks but my heels no longer hurt and the cracks have closed and look more like an indention than a crack now. They feel so much better, but I'll probably wear them another week just to be sure they stay healed. They look and feel like regular socks from the outside but only cover the heel with the toe open. Not think but not thick, again like regular socks. They would probably be slippery on a smooth surface the same as socks. The inside feels like rubber or something smooth at the heel. I have washed them once each pair and accidentally dried one pair in the dryer. They still seem to feel the same so I think they're fine. They're pretty inexpensive and had different colors and sizes.
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    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2026
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    Mimi
    Dallas, US
    ★★★★★ 4
    Truly Helped My Cracked Heels
    Color: Original Grey
    I didn't include a photo cause they look exactly like their advertisement photo. I so liked the silicon-type heel lining as it kept the heel-repair cream on my heel and did not get soaked up by the sock. But, it is so, so slippery when walking around in them! Take care to be mindful when you set each foot down as the lotion can slide your heel across the sock quite a bit. If these socks were for an elderly person, I would have them only sit while using the sock - no walking around for fear of falling. I have larger ankles and found that having both the top and the bottom hems/elastic, etc. the same size to be quite troublesome and was not a nice feeling or fit on my upper hem that hit my ankle. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad that I got them and I continue to use them and they are helping my horribly-cracked heels greatly, but I find that I have to keep moving the top hem up and down so that it doesn't stay in one position as it cuts in to my ankle. My feedback and advice might be to please make the upper hem somewhat larger than the one that is on the bottom and goes over my actual foot. They really should not be the same circumference...or else make different sizes - S, M, L, etc. That's really my only complaint or "con" to ordering these. I think they are a great concept and I like the fact that I can throw them in the washer and dryer.
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    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
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    SC6218
    Grantham, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Actually works, and really well
    Color: Original Grey
    I bought these because I got them on a great deal and was quite skeptical, but they actually worked exactly as advertised and I saw a huge difference after the first night! I understand why they don’t cover the whole foot like a regular sock (it would be stifling), but it would be incredible if they made a pair that go forward enough to cover the ball of the foot. One pair lasted about 3 weeks before the moisturizer wore out (I did notice a dropoff after washing, so for best results put them on when you’re clean and just for overnight, so you can avoid washing). Apologies for no photos- no one wants to see the before photos. These work so well I’ve just come back to order more even though I’m now paying full price. Definitely, definitely recommend.
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    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
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    Liana
    West Palm Beach, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Comfortably and works
    Color: Original Grey
    ❤️ I used these with magnesium lotion on my heals for 3 nights, soaked my feet every morning and cracked heals are gone!
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