The information provided on this page is for imformation only, because these legacy Blue Circle products are discontinued.

FonLo Thingee

The Fo Lo Thingee is a member of the venerable BC Thingee line -- a product line that offers excellent sound at fantastic prices. Blue Circle is able to do this by leveraging trickle-down technology from their reference offerings & deploying them in more modest enclosures. The net of this effort is an unparalleled price-to-performance ratio in the industry. Despite the modest price point, all Thingee offerings are laboriously hand-built to order and tested by the SAME BC staff that provide their industry-leading reference products (some of which cost nearly 100-times the entry Thingee's!).

The Fo Lo Thingee is designed to be a flexible solution both in terms of price and available sonic enhancements. You can start with the base level Fo Lo Thingee & field upgrade the power supply in two easy stages.

Base Level -- Base Fo Lo Thingee (standard power)

The Base Fo Lo Thingee is the most modest price point of the family but one that provides a remarkable performance. This unit easily competes with offerings up two-to-three times it's price. FonLo Thingee Phono stage loading is performed using loading plugs that attach to special RCA jacks on the unit and the dB of gain is set by toggling the dip switch.

Option 1 -- SP Capacitor Pack (OR) Biggie Pipe Power

The SP Capacitor Pack is an 'inline' component that attaches between the power supply and the Fo Lo Thingee. Once installed and fully charged, the Fo Lo Thingee gets the added benefit of 350,000uF of reserve capacitance. Dynamics are improved as is the responsiveness -- this is clearly a benefit where demanding musical passages would leave other phono stages in the dust. FonLo Thingee BP

The Biggie Pipe is exactly that. Using a larger enclosure we're able to provide a more advanced power supply -- more space, more room for the 'good stuff'. The net effect of this effort is clearly a better sound in all respects.

Option 2 -- SP Capacitor Pack & Biggie Pipe Power

What do you get when you combine both the SP Capacitor Pack and the Biggie Pipe power supply? FonLo Thingee A phono stage whose sound is so enticing that it has caused several people to clear their schedules, stay at home and listen to LPs for days. Seriously, don't say we didn't warn you! :)

Option 3 -- Batche Thingee (Battery Power)

What better way than to mitigate A/C noise than to avoid A/C entirely? FonLo Thingee Although it sounds a bit pie-in-the-sky, Blue Circle audio has accomplished this feat. The Batche Thingee combines the excellent-sounding Fo Lo Thingee design with a reference-grade rechargeable power supply. The net of this effort is simply superb sound at an unprecedented price point.

Add-on options: various resistance and/or capacitance loading plugs and user-adjustable precision trim loading plugs.

Specifications (all versions)

  • Residual noise reference to full rated output at 60 db gain with 100 ohm loading (non-weighted ): <450uV
  • Residual noise reference to full rated output at 60 db gain with 100 ohm loading (audio band): <200uV
  • Tracking error: <+/- 0.1dB
  • Distortion at 5V output: <0.01%
  • Voltage gain: 60db, 38db (user adjustable)
  • Maximum output: 8.5V
  • Input impedance: 1ohm to 47K ohm (user adjustable by loading plug)
  • Input capacitance: user adjustable by loading plug
  • Power comsumption: 1.2 watt

    • Dimensions

  • Fon Lo Thingee: 2.5" dia x 5"
  • Standard power supply: 2.5"dia x 3.5" long
  • Biggie Pipe power supply: 3.5"dia x 6.25" long
  • SP Capacitor Pack: 4.5" dia x 6.25" long

    The FonLo Thingee MC uses the same circuitry as the FonLo Thingee but is optimized FonLo Thingee MC for MC cartridges. It has 58db and 71db user-adjustable gain settings. It cannot be used with MM or MI cartridges. Because of the FonLo Thingee MC's high gain the Biggie Pipe power supply is strongly recommended to minimize power supply noise.

    FonLo Thingee 6Moons Realization review.

    Good Sound Logo FonLo Thingee review.

    Retail Prices

    FTBasic: $385.00, FTBP: $605.00, FTBasicCP: $825, FTBPCP: $1045, FTMC: $419.00

    BC707 and709 phonostages

    In the finest tradition of amplifying music from vinyl TLP Audio proudly offers the BC709 and the BC707 phonostages. From the outside, they look the same and have the same features and functions. The difference is on the inside.

    The BC709

    The BC709, the first BC product to incorporate their new FC technology, supplies all the features and functionality BC709 front to provide excellent vinyl reproduction for the vast majority of systems. It offers the smooth, rich BC709 rear and round full presentation that only vinyl can supply. Matched with a quality turntable and cartridge, the BC709 will perform flawlessly with a wide variety of MM and MC cartridges. The external loading feature BC709 rear was designed to easily adjust the loading to suit your favorite MC cartridge. With the optional adjustable loading plug, you can adjust the loading to an infinite degree while the music is playing.

    The BC707

    We reserved the internal real estate for the serious vinyl advocate that demands more than the BC709. The BC707 is a upgraded version of the BC709. Its power supply is one of our trademark upgrades. With filtering capacitance approaching 700,000uF, the BC707 is stable enough to handle the most demanding musical passages effortlessly.

    Both the BC709 and BC707 have balanced output options for those who have a balanced system. With the balanced output option it provides the benefit of a balanced system without the hassle of re-terminating your tone arm cable with a balanced connector.

    Standard accessories: 1 pair of 1k ohm loading plugs

    Optional accessories:

  • Various resistance and/or capacitance loading plugs
  • User adjustable precision trimming loading plugs
  • Balanced output option - additional 250.00
  • Optional plexiglass faceplate -additional 250.00
  • Optional stainless steel faceplate

    • Technical Specs for both BC709 & BC707

  • Residual noise referenced to full rated output (with 1k ohm loading): >-85dB or < 300uV non-weighted
  • Tracking error: < +/- 0.15dB
  • Distortion at 5V output: <0.05 %
  • Voltage gain: 60db, 39db (user adjustable)
  • Maximum output: 8.5V
  • input impedance: 1ohm to 47Kohm (user adjustable)
  • input capacitance: user adjustable by loading plug
  • output impedance: <10ohms
  • Power consumption: 1.8 watts. (less than most LED flashlights)

    Dimensions: 19"wide x 2"height x 13.5"deep

    Weight: 12 lbs (BC709), 14 lbs (BC707)

    Retail Prices
    BC707 $2525.00, BC709 $1425.00

    Visit the Blue Circle web site.

    The BC703 High Precision Reference Phonostage

    Rather than presenting you with all the techincal details about the development of our new flagship phonostage, we will simply tell you that this new design was 6 years in the making.

    High precision/reference?

    When we say precision reference we mean it. The RIAA equalization curve tracks within 0.1dB of its specification! It is THE NEW reference standard for every relevant specification that we have tested. It has been through the toughest tests in terms of high gain and low noise. No other phono stage is as quiet as the BC703. Just plug it in and enjoy the music.

    It has topped the best tube phonostage that our collective ears have heard. It has gain that can match any CD level. It has 5 levels of gain settings with the highest one being a remarkable 87dB without using an input transformer! That's 10 times louder than most MC phonostages and with less noise. Without input transformer, that means you are totally free to experiment with different loading to optimize the MC cartridge.

    Why are there no front panel knobs? BC has decided there is no need for knobs or front panel controls with the exception of a mute switch. All the switchable gain, impedance and capacitance loading is done internally with gold-plated jumpers. Jumpers provide the most reliable long-term connections compared to switches, including front panel or internal dip switches.

    The BC703 also has a separate MC and MM input for optimum matching. It also features a switchable rumble filter for those listeners who have full-range speakers. The BC703 is truly a no compromise design.

    Shown with optional purpleheart/walnut faceplate. Stainless steel is standard.

    BC703 rear

    The "business end" of the BC703.

    BC703 rear

    Is it a discrete or op-amp design? It is both. It uses the best of both circuitry types. The design is simple, yet functional and certainly not trendy. You won't find the usual fashionable brand name parts inside. What you will find is the best components used in the most suitable fashion. The power supply is the venerable Gilbert type with heavy filtering. It comes close to 680,000uF, and will operate for nearly a minute with the A/C power off!

    Fundamentally the BC703 is sonically neutral. What you hear is what's "there." It lets everything from your vinyl come through. At this performance level, there is no point in discussing how it sounds more than we already have. We will leave it to reviewers to do that.

    Read the Audio Beat review.

    Technical Specs

  • MC gain setting (internal, user adjustable): 87db, 81db, 75db, 67db, 61db
  • MM gain setting (fixed): 42db
  • Resistive MC input loading (ohms): 100, 220, 470, 1k, custom (factory adjusted)
  • Capacitive MC input loading: custom (factory adjusted)
  • Separate MC and MM inputs: single-ended RCA type
  • Outputs: balanced XLR and single-ended RCA type.
  • Frequency response: 10Hz to 100kHz +/- 0.1dB, rumble filter off.
  • Residual noise: MC input at 67dB gain setting: <500uV
  • Rumble Filter cut-off frequency: 18Hz
  • Control features: manual muting, phase switches.

    • Dimensions: 17" wide x 14.5" deep, 3.5" high (preamp); 5.25" wide x 14.5 deep, 5.25" high (power supply)

    Retail Price

    $7699.00

    The Li'l BC703 Phonostage

    The Li'l BC703 is a physically smaller (8" x 8" x 3") version of its larger sibling. Li'l 703 front Significant cost savings was achieved by using the smaller chassis and allowing the CHOICE of various FonLo Thingee power supplies. Li'l 703 rear Don't let its diminutive size fool you. It's heart IS a BC703.

    Retail Price (power supply not included)

    $2200.00