Excerpted from *Audio Technology*

Following the high acclaim garnered by their Tuned ARAY cables, Chord Company continued its efforts, attempting to extend this exclusive technology from their core cable expertise to various components of audio systems. Five years later, they began a series of studies on absorbing internal noise in audio equipment and blocking external noise intrusion. In 2017, they successfully expanded this unique noise cancellation concept from cables to external, standalone accessories. They first launched the GroundARAY noise-canceling metal rod for various audio equipment, and later focused on power outlets with PowerARAY. Their goal was clear: to overcome unnecessary interference with music signals caused by noise intrusion from various points through their unique ARAY technology!

Strict audiophiles understand that an audio system is a process of energy conversion and signal amplification. Noise obviously accumulates continuously during this amplification process, starting from the source of the music. Therefore, if noise can be suppressed at the source, the possibility of continuous noise amplification will be greatly reduced. For turntable users, effective noise reduction in the phono stage not only results in a cleaner analog music signal but also eliminates the need for extensive noise reduction in subsequent stages. Chord Company has leveraged its proprietary ARAY technology for the phono stage, releasing the PhonoARAY specifically for turntable systems.

The PhonoARAY features large connectors at both ends for connecting to 4mm banana or spade-shaped plugs. A dedicated 50cm shielded grounding cable is included; the manufacturer states this specially designed Clearway grounding cable is ideal for connecting to the turntable’s ground terminal, while users will need to select a separate grounding cable for connecting to the phono preamp or amplifier with a phono input. For phono preamp applications, audiophiles can add an additional PhonoARAY between the phono preamp and amplifier connections for even better noise reduction. Since the Thorens TD1500 turntable used this time is equipped with a Danish Ortofon 2M Bronze moving magnet cartridge, simply placing a PhonoARAY between the Thorens TD1500 turntable and the Marantz Model 10 with its built-in phono amplifier is sufficient. After handling this part, the actual benefits of the Chord Company PhonoARAY for Phono grounding can be clearly felt. …