For vinyl listeners dipping their big toe into the high-end pond for the first time, the phono stage inside their existing AVR or integrated amplifier is going to be what shapes their impression of record playback quality.
Some amplifiers offer an excellent internal phono preamp and that’s a huge plus when selecting one. Don’t take our word for it — actually visit a dealer if you can to listen to how it sounds before you buy an amplifier which is likely to be a part of your system for many years to come.
The alternative is to add an external phono stage to your existing amplifier or even wireless or active loudspeakers and improve the sound quality that way.
With so many good options right now when it comes to affordable high-end phono cartridges, it actually makes long-term sense to invest in a better quality phono stage.
One thing to remember — make sure that the phono stage that you select is the right one for your cartridge. Don’t buy a phono stage that can only work with MM cartridges if your preference is for a MC cartridge that requires more gain and the ability to independently set load settings. It makes a huge difference with the overall sound quality.
Most entry-level audiophile turntables come with a cartridge from Ortofon, or Audio-Technica pre-installed. The tonal balance of those cartridges is extremely different and both generally require a MM stage with at least 40dB of gain.
If you are thinking about upgrading to a better quality MC or MM cartridge, both of our picks for 2023 are solid options.
Rega Fono MM MKV
Those who are paying attention will almost immediately notice that the Rega Fono MM MKV is not new. It’s actually approaching its second anniversary in the lineup.
Don’t let that sway you.
You have to tip your hat to the folks at Rega. While the top turntables in their lineup are not exactly inexpensive, they remain committed to those of us who have their feet firmly planted in the entry-level and mid-tier high-end categories. The Rega Fono MM MK5 Phono Preamp is a great example of that.
If you have not had the chance to read our review of the excellent entry-level Regaio Integrated Amplifier, I suggest that you go there next to have a better understanding of what this British hi-fi brand stands for.
Rega builds everything in-house and that helps to keep the price of products like the Fono MM MKV affordable.
The Fono MM MK5 uses a fully discrete, cascaded, complementary amplifier input stage, a configuration designed to optimise the performance of your moving magnet cartridge. Now housed in a brand new redesigned case to match the new Fono MC and Rega’s latest range of electronic components offering a modern look guaranteed to integrate in to any hi-fi system.
The aesthetic design of the Fono MM was as important as the quality of its electrical capabilities, so it benefits from the same updated aluminium case as the Rega Neo and Fono MC amplifier, giving it a design which offers a familiar feel and moreover brings it in line with its illustrious bigger brothers.
The RIAA equalization has been split into two stages to minimise interaction. Polyester capacitors have been used in the signal path and polypropylene capacitors are used in the RIAA equalization circuits.
The Rege Fono MM MK5 is for MM carts only and offers 41.4 dB of gain which is perfectly fine for carts over 3 mV; think Nagaoka, Grado, Sumiko, Ortofon, and Audio-Technica.
How does it sound?
Fleet of foot. Engaging. Full of texture and tone. It adds some warmth to the sound but there is so much more vitality to the sound with the right cartridge.
Where to buy: $445 at Amazon
Andover Audio SpinStage
Vinyl me this…vinyl me that. Who is afraid of the big, black bat?
Couldn’t resist. And nor should some of you when it comes to the Andover Audio SpinStage Phono Preamplifier.
$250 for a rather high quality MM/MC phono preamplifier? You can read my full review here.
While turntable and cartridge options have been rather plentiful, the affordable MM/MC phono stage category below $400 has been dominated by only a few models from Schiit Audio, U-Turn, Cambridge Audio, and Rega. Andover Audio sells a lot of SpinDeck 2 and SpinDeck Max turntables but they’ve never offered a dedicated and affordable MM/MC phono pre-amplifier until now.
The Andover Audio SpinStage has two key features not commonly found in budget phono preamplifiers. First, by adding a separate MC gain stage with ultra-low-noise discrete transistors in a type of transconductance topology usually found only in more expensive designs, the SpinStage benefits from providing the necessary gain without added noise.
Second, the addition of an Auxiliary input restores the input used by the SpinStage when it’s connected to an amplifier that has only a few inputs. For example, a system that includes a CD player or other device may need the input used by the SpinStage.
The MM section adds 40dB of gain, whilst the MC section offers 66.5dB for low output moving coil cartridges.
Phono-cartridge resistive and capacitive loading optimize the SpinStage’s high-frequency performance with any MM cartridge, while its ultra-high-precision resistors and capacitors deliver RIAA response typically accurate within ±0.2dB.
The SpinStage’s selectable subsonic filter reduces the ultra-low-frequency noise of turntable rumble that can cause excess woofer pumping and waste amplifier power.
The SpinStage feels more like a stripped-down version of the Moon By SimAudio LP110 V2 for 50% less and that makes me suggest a warmer, more dynamic cartridge to really find some form of synergy.
Any nitpicks?
Definitely be careful with cartridge matching and the overall tonal balance of the rest of the system. A highly detailed and open cartridge with a very neutral sounding system might be impressive at first — but you will notice the lack of color with vocals.
Warmer sounding systems will love this phono pre-amplifier.
Where to buy: $249 at AndoverAudio.com | Amazon
Continue reading more Editor’s Choice Awards from 2023.
