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Been having a good play this morning. As I only upgraded my stylus to Blue (from the Red) earlier this week I’d been wondering whether the Zen has actually had as big a difference as I thought it was. It's superb balance of attitude and refinement. If the rest of your system is up to scratch, the MX-VYNL is worth the investment. The Soundsmith MCP-2 preamp might sound pricey to start with, but many of the preamps out there cost far more. This is a hand-made product to keep the quality high.
We've continuously been impressed with Rega's excellent (and rather affordable) Fono MM range, so it was something of a relief that the latest model, which featured a brand-spanking new look, didn't sacrifice style for sound. That same Rega DNA is still in there throughout the latest Fono MM Mk5 phono stage. The U-Turn Audio Pluto is an option for those who want an inexpensive phono preamp, but prefer one that has excellent housing. The reasons for this are clear, a stainless steel case such as the one that is used with the Pluto preamp means that interference is less of a problem than it may be in some of the competing options.So why do you need one? Your stereo amplifier or turntable may not have one, in which case you won't be able to play records without this crucial component. Or you might just want to upgrade its sound beyond what's possible with the built-in phono stage found in amplifiers or some record players. You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi?here. Why do I need a phono stage?
One of the biggest differences in the Alva ST is that it’s a belt drive design as opposed to the Alva TT’s direct drive, and as a result, a new platter and top plate are introduced. The lowest signal my analyzer can generate in 10 Hz. So I set it to that. Then I sample the output at multiples of it (I think 64 times a second) to fully capture that waveform. Then, I program the generator to operate at two levels, one at 0.1 volt and the other 40 dB lower than it. The peaks are very short as to simulate a pop/glitch. Here is what I get: Not all records are pressed the same – due to the poor quality of vinyl used, some sound considerably nosier than others. Wear and tear can play its role in reducing the quality, too. With its subsonic filter, the Solo filters out low frequency rumble; reducing distortion and protecting your speakers’ woofers from excessive wear. Rather than use a series of dipswitches (as many rivals do), the MX-VYNL has a rather elegant control dial to manage the switch between moving coil and moving magnet inputs and their different loading requirements.
Conclusion
The functionality is basic. Ins and outs are both RCA and TRS, perfect for connecting to a turntable. There’s a 3-year warranty on offer by Behringer, which is more than reasonable for such a cheap product. Moonage Daydream by David Bowie sounds big, bold and detailed. The Alva ST’s spacious presentation has no problem filling our large listening room, the sound is clean and relatively uncluttered. Provided you keep it away from other mains-powered products and power cables, this phono stage will prove suitably quiet and hum-free. Features are basic but it's clear that Moon has focused on the bit that counts – sound quality. This is where the phono stage (or phono preamp) comes in. It has two jobs. Firstly, it has the reverse response built into it – one that boosts bass and flattens treble to exactly the right degree, which should result in a tonally even presentation for the audio signal. Well this is certainly a looker. With an offset volume dial, minimalist styling and mirrored rear labelling that's easy to read even if you're peering over the top of the unit, it's clear a lot of thought has gone into the Cambridge Audio Duo phono stage. And no less attention has been paid to the audio quality.
In this article, we’re looking at the best phono preamps you can buy for your turntable in 2023. The phono preamp is a key component of your sound system, but finding the best one is not easy. People often forget how vital it is, and overlook this component. It’s true that Behringer products can be hit and miss, but we’d call the PP400 a ‘hit’. It’s affordable, and can enhance an inexpensive record player and boost the signal significantly. Not on the top-end of the market, but for home audio enthusiasts on a budget.That’s the lot as far as physical features go. There’s a defeatable auto power-down function, which puts the Duo in standby if it’s been idle for more than 20 minutes, and a subsonic filter. There’s a cleanness and a purity of purpose to the way the Alva Duo is turned out – which is oddly, but definitely, pleasing. Cambridge Audio Duo sound quality – Broad, warm character Generally, it’s fair to say this is not going to give you audiophile, high-fidelity sound, but for the price tag, it is hard to find a reliable preamp. The DJPRE II does a good job for those building a cheaper system. 5. SPL Phonos Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 28th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.) In some audio tech circles, the word ‘Behringer’ is a curse word. This is harsh on the brand, who offer cheap audio tech in a huge variety of categories, including the cheapest phono preamp reviewed. If you want to listen to a wide range of vinyl and still get the most out of the sound, it is hard to argue with the Puffin. There are so many controls! 11. U-Turn Audio Pluto
It cleverly uses individual channels for the left and right speakers, this means no crosstalk and is something not often found at this price. You can select whether to use a low cut filter that gets rid of the very lowest frequencies, this can stop rumble. The smooth, full-bodied performance, coupled with the inclusion of a headphone amp, makes this stylish box certainly worthy of consideration. We love the scale of performance and the way the Vertere delivers the seismic dynamic shifts of the recording with so much enthusiasm. As with the previous generation (also an Award-winner), our main takeaway after hearing this phono stage is that it makes listening to music interesting and, where appropriate, fun. There’s not much we can ask of any piece of hi-fi beyond that. The THD is low, and there’s even a filter for inaudible low sounds that can stop rumbling. A WIMA film capacitor gives clarity to the sound. The Cambridge Solo for me stood out the least - closer to the Rega in terms of sound but is no match for its presence and its soundstage. Sound was composed and felt very natural, but vocals felt a bit buried in the mix and the whole thing felt a little bit unexciting.Swapped the stages again, so now Blue stylus and CA stage - sounded a little dirty. Same increased detail as before (down to the stylus) but didn’t sound as clean. The Phono Signature on its own sounds refined and smooth with plenty of bite when required, but adding the updated PSX-R2 power supply takes sound quality to another plane altogether. The scale is even bigger, bass gains more authority, and the precise positions of the performers and instruments in the beautifully layered sound stage are laid bare. The insightful delivery squeezes the very last drop of emotion from a recording. Have craving for some good Dim Sum. Nearest place is 35 miles away so I need gas money for that. Please consider donating money using:
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