Before I dig into the reviews of the 8 phono stages that have been living in Barn, I thought I’d share my approach in tackling a gaggle of phono preamps. Let’s begin with what to call ’em.
I prefer phono stage over phono preamplifier for the sound of it, but these devices ‘stage’, or pre-amplify, the tiny signal (measured in millivolts) that comes off a cartridge/tonearm//turntable and amplify it to line level (about 2 volts), on par with the other analog inputs coming into your pre- or integrated amplifier. Things would certainly be simple if every cartridge was the same but it simply ain’t so, which is why phono stages offer setting options for Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges.
The other main job in the phono staging process (see what I did there?) is to reverse the RIAA equalization curve (basically a bass de-emphasis/treble emphasis filter) that’s applied to records. In brief, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) agreed on a single standard equalization curve that would be baked into every record way back in 1954 so most records since use this curve. It’s worth noting that pre-RIAA, we’re looking at a veritable Wild West of curves that mostly followed the record company that pressed the record (Decca, Columbia, Capitol, etc). Over 100 curves were in use back in the day, which is why some serious collectors of 78s and mono records opt for phono stages that include some or most of these Wild West curves. Selectable EQ curves are not available on ‘budget’ phono stages and remain the exception rather than the rule.
To complete this mini-history, stereo LPs arrived on the scene in 1958 so most employ the RIAA curve.
Here’s the Phono Stage Survey List:
Schiit Mani 2 MM/MC Phono Preamp ($149)
MoFi StudioPhono ($349)
Aurorasound VIDA Prima Phono Stage ($1200)
Hegel V10 Phono Preamp ($1650)
Lejonklou Slipsik 7.1 MM Phono Stage ($1795)
EAR Phono Classic (MM/MC w/volume) ($2595)
Manley Chinook SE MKII ($2899)
Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier($3199)
My plan is to review all of these lovelies in ascending price order using the Michell Gyro SE turntable/Michell TecnoArm 2 mounted with the Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge. While comparisons will be made along the way, a final post, The Big Roundup (working title), is where I’ll pick favorites and add the Denon 103 MC cartridge and Auditorium 23 Step Up Transformer (where needed) into the mix for just these select favorites to fill out their performance.
I selected the Ortofon 2M Black ($695) because it is, by most measures, a classic and I love hifi classics (as you know) making it a very well known commodity, as is the Denon 103 ($349), a heavyweight champ that’s been fighting the good fight since 1962!
Let the games begin!
