Sutherland Engineering | Elegant. Simplistic. Minimalistic Design.

There is an almost irresistible urge to add complexity to any endeavor. The result is a tangled knot of disparate good ideas. Because there is always more that could be added, there is never an opportunity for long-term satisfaction. Never enough.

Sutherland offers a different vision – it may be more closely aligned with your values. It is a very disciplined approach that refines design to the essential elements – and then executes the design to perfection. There is no allowance for superfluous clutter. Nothing extra will be allowed between you and the music.

Technical Areas of Concern

Avoid electronic colorations by keeping signal path uncluttered and straightforward.
Refine the circuitry and layout for one audio channel. Then build it twice for stereo.
Keep the clutter of options out of the signal path and off the circuit board.
Keep contaminating AC power line noise out.
Use the best components in a conservative manner, for long life and effortless performance.
Design and build with a sense of instrument grade craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Superior Quality through Simplicity

PhonoBlock refined

The performance of the PhonoBlock has been refined and improved. Its classic, understated design is still there — even more so.

KC Vibe

The new KC Vibe Phono Preamp is “Doggone good”.

MCX

The new MCX Phono Preamp optimizes the inclusion of moving coil step transformers in vinyl playback.

All Products

You gotta love it!!!!

Hi Ron,

I have to let you know how much I got a kick out of the Timeline. Not only is it a fun piece of audio jewelry, but works better than advertised. Within three minutes we had the new VPI HRX up to speed, or “correct” speed I should say. No strobe disc, and light, etc, just a few minutes staring at a bright red led light. What could be easier, and I now have a perfect speed locked into my speed controller for our turntable, dynamite.

We are constantly playing with trials to see what we can drag up from the depths of an old piece of vinyl and have just pulled out a Crosby Nash, “Whistling Down the Wire” LP that must be at least 25 years old. Two minutes on the VPI 16.5 cleaning machine and on the table. This was a seriously warped disc, but the platter rim weight and center weight put the LP into a seemingly flat position. Dropped the needle and nothing in our digital front end can give so much satisfaction. You don’t have to be a kid to keep finding new ways to enjoy 25 minutes.

I have rarely been able to achieve the level of quality jump in a new digital front end as we have now with the new VPI running through the Hubble, it is just amazing and very satisfying. Great work all the way around. Well back to work, oh wait, this is work. You gotta love it, thanks again.

Sincerely,
Rick

Definitely, a BETTER PHD!!

Ron,
I have the pleasure of listen through your Hubble for many weeks now, and it has been enjoyable. Definitely, a BETTER PHD!!
Thanks!
— Regards, Mike

Kudos for Ron on a number of things

Yesterday I unpacked my Sutherland Phd after moving from Hawaii to the mainland back in the end of Sept. 2012. This is April 8. When I packed the amp I removed the batteries for fear they would leak and make a mess of things. The unit was packaged in the original shipping box it arrived in. When I unpacked it, it looked pristine. After inserting brand new batteries and anxiously hooking it up to the turntable (it’d been 6 or 7 months since I heard music through my system) it wouldn’t turn on. Disappointment You bet. I sent an email to Ron Sutherland asking for help. To my surprise, an hour or two later, Ron replied to my email with a couple of helpful suggestions. I followed the instructions, but unknowingly to me, I made a mistake in understanding them. In another email I asked Ron if I could call him and included my phone number in the email. Viola! The phone rings and Ron was on the phone! Nice guy. The kind of guy you wish you could sit down at a bar and have a drink with. We discussed the problem, and in a second Ron had the issue isolated and the remedy all in one. There was a faulty battery holder. We jury-rigged it in a way that will last for years to come, and the unit works perfectly and I listened to music the rest of the day.

Kudos for Ron on a number of things. First and foremost, designing the Phd. I spent my whole life waiting for this thing and didn’t know it until I bought one and have been using it ever since. Next kudo is just the kind of man Ron turned out to be – pleasant, helpful, uplifting and smart! Next, I swear he was as happy as I was that his “baby” the Phd was all fixed up and ready to go. As it turns out, this whole experience was a positively memorable in my audiophile life. I had a good time. Way to go Mr. Sutherland!

Ralph

The Absolute Latest from Sutherland

September 28, 2015

Sutherland Engineering at RMAF 2015

By Miniaev / Tradeshows

Ron Sutherland will be demonstrating the new ARGENTUM phono preamp at 2015 RMAF. It is a hand-wired, all-silver advancement of the well regarded Phono Blocks. All new construction techniques deliver a stunning level of performance.

So do stop by room 8004 in the tower for a great listening experience. –Ron

October 30, 2014

Sutherland Engineering at TAVES 2014

By Ron Sutherland / Tradeshows

TAVE is my favorite show and I always look forward to being there. It is such pleasure to meet such an enthused bunch of fellow audiophiles. Please stop in and say hi. Our products will be on display in booth #365, #366, & at #6 Maple West. –Ron

Sutherland Engineering Products will be demonstrated at the TAVES 2014 in Toronto on October 31, November 1, and November 2. At the show, you can see and hear the PhonoBlocks, among other products. Angie (American Sound of Canada) is masterful at component selection and system setup. You are in for a revelation.

Approach to the Craft