Following the May 2026 launch of its flagship Velsonic phono preamp, AVID HiFi is expanding its analog lineup with the Pulsus II and Pellar II phono stages. Both models replace long-serving originals: the Pulsus, introduced in 2010, and the Pellar, which followed in 2012. That is a respectable run in any product category, but especially one built around a format that some people were still declaring dead when those first models arrived.
The vinyl train keeps rolling, and there is no sign that anyone has found the brakes. In 2026, buyers have more turntables, phono cartridges, phono preamps, record-cleaning machines, tonearms, cables, mats, clamps, and other playback accessories to choose from than at any point in the past two decades. AVID’s updated Pulsus II and Pellar II arrive in a market that is no longer treating vinyl as a nostalgic side hobby, but as a serious and increasingly sophisticated part of the high-performance audio ecosystem.
On the inside, both models retain much of what made the originals successful, with targeted performance refinements wrapped in a cleaner, more streamlined exterior. AVID is not a company that releases new models every year simply because it has something new to promote. The original Pulsus and Pellar earned considerable recognition for their musicality, engineering integrity, and long-term reliability—qualities that kept both phono stages relevant for well over a decade.
That kind of longevity suggests that AVID got the fundamentals right from the beginning. The Pulsus II and Pellar II are therefore not reinventions for the sake of it, but the result of genuine advances in design, materials, and the company’s deeper understanding of how these circuits can be improved.
AVID Pulsus II and Pellar II: Refined, Not Reinvented
The Pulsus II and Pellar II build on the foundations of their predecessors with refinements in several critical areas. AVID points to more careful component selection and improved noise-reduction strategies, intended to deliver greater transparency, lower noise floors, stronger dynamic expression, and a more natural presentation of music. Both models also offer flexible adjustment options for Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges.
As noted earlier, the Pulsus II and Pellar II arrive shortly after the launch of AVID’s flagship Velsonic phono preamp. Together, the three models give serious vinyl listeners a broader range of options based on their cartridge requirements, preferred feature set, and budget.
AVID’s expanded three-model phono preamp lineup reflects the company’s continued focus on meaningful engineering rather than annual cosmetic updates. The Velsonic, Pulsus II, and Pellar II mark a new phase for AVID Hi-Fi in the phono-stage category, with choices that extend from more attainable high-performance designs to a no-compromise flagship.
Plusus II and Pellar II Differences: Highlights
| Plusus II | Pellar II |
| Two-piece form factor with separate Phono Preamp and Power Supply Units | Single-piece Phono Preamp with built-in Power Supply |
| Dual-mono circuit design with dedicated power regulation | Single board configuration with Low-Noise Op-Amps |
| Default cartridge loading for MM cartridges at 47K, along with adjustable Cartridge Loading for MM or MC cartridges as needed via DIP switches at the bottom of the unit. | Preset 47k for MM cartridges with adjustable resistance for MC cartridges via custom plugs or rear-panel loading |
Detailed Comparison
| AVID HiFi Model | Pulsus II (2026) | Pulsus (2010) | Pellar II (2026) | Pellar (2012) | Velsonic (2026) |
| Product Type | Phono Preamp | Phono Preamp | Phono Preamp | Phono Preamp | Phono Preamp |
| Price | £2,995 / €3,995 / $4,695 | Discontinued | £1,450 / €1,995 / $2,295 | Discontinued | $19,995 / £11,995 / €15,995 |
| Circuit Design | Dual-mono topology with dedicated power regulation | Dual-mono topology with dedicated power regulation | Single-board configuration with low-noise op-amp topology | Single-board configuration with low-noise op-amp topology | Full dual-mono and balanced operation from input to output, which minimizes crosstalk and maximizes channel separation. |
| Phono Cartridge Compatibility | Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC) | Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC) | Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC) | Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC) | Moving Magnet (MM) Moving Coil (MC) |
| Cartridge Loading | High flexibility; multiple resistance (100R–47k) & capacitance (100pf–500pf) settings via bottom DIP switches | High flexibility; multiple resistance (100R–47k) & capacitance (100pf–500pf) settings via bottom DIP switches | Preset 47k for MM; adjustable resistance via custom plugs or rear-panel loading | Preset 47k for MM; adjustable resistance via custom plugs or rear-panel loading | Adjustable via front panel controls |
| Inputs | 1 (pr) x RCA w/Ground | 1 (pr) x RCA w/Ground | 2 (pr) x RCA with Ground | 2 (pr) x RCA with Ground | 1 (pr) x RCA 1 (pr) x XLR With Ground |
| Outputs | 1 (pr) x RCA Line | 1 (pr) x RCA Line | 1 (pr) x RCA Line | 1 (pr) x RCA Line | 1 (pr) x RCA Line 1 (pr) x XLR |
| Noise | < -81dB MM <-67dB MC | < -81dB MM <-67dB MC | < -81dB MM <-67dB MC | < -81dB MM <-67dB MC | < -81dB MM <-67dB MC |
| Distortion | < 0.001% | < 0.001% | < 0.001% | < 0.001% | < 0.001% |
| RIAA Equalization | 5Hz – 70kHz ±0.5dB | 5Hz – 70kHz ±0.5dB | 5Hz – 70kHz ±0.5dB | 5Hz – 70kHz ±0.5dB | 5Hz – 70kHz ±0.5dB |
| Gain | 40dB – 60dB – 70dB | 40dB – 60dB – 70dB | 48dB – 60dB – 70dB | 48dB – 60dB – 70dB | 35dB-40dB-45dB-50dB-55dB-60dB-65dB-70dB |
| Resistance | 100R – 300R – 500R – 1K – 5K – 10K – 47K | 100R – 300R – 500R – 1K – 5K – 10K – 47K | 47K – 500Ω – CUSTOM | 47K – 500Ω – CUSTOM | 10R-30R-100R-200R-300R-400R-500R-800R-1K-5k-10K-47K |
| Capacitance | 100pf – 200pf – 500pf | 100pf – 200pf – 500pf | 100pf | 100pf | 100pf – 200pf – 500pf – 1.5nf – 10nf – 20nf |
| Subsonic Filter | None | None | None | None | 1st ORDER SLOPE, -3dB@10Hz |
| Output Impedance | 20Ω | 20Ω | 20Ω | 20Ω | 20Ω |
| Controls | Underside controls for: Gain Level (MM – MC Low and MC High) Resistance Capacitance | Underside controls for: Gain Level (MM – MC Low and MC High) Resistance Capacitanc | Underside controls for: Gain Level (MM – MC Low and MC High) | Underside controls for: Gain Level (MM – MC Low and MC High) | Front-panel rotary controls allow you to switch gain, resistance, and capacitance without needing to open the chassis or use DIP switches. |
| Power Supply | External Power SupplyRegulated with a 35VA transformer | External Power SupplyRegulated with a 35VA transformer | Single-chassis integrated power supply Internally Regulated 25va Transformer | Single-chassis integrated power supply Internally Regulated 25va Transformer | External Power Supply Double Regulated with 300va Toroidial Transformer |
| Vottage Input | 100-240vac 50/60Hz 10 Watts Max | 100-240vac 50/60Hz 10 Watts Max | 100-240vac 50/60Hz 10 Watts Max | 100-240vac 50/60Hz 10 Watts Max | 100-240vac 50/60Hz 10 Watts Max |
| Dimensions (WDH) | 160 x 239 x 70mm (6.3 x 9.41 x 2.8 in) PSU: 160 x 247 x 70mm (6.3 x 9.72 x 2.8 in) | 120 x 220 x 70mm | 160 x 253 x 70mm (6.3 x 9.96 x 2.8 in) | 120 x 220 x 70mm | 463 x 338 x 100mm (18.23 x 13.31 x 4 in) Preamp and PSU Combined |
| Net Weight | 1.3 kg (2.9 lbs) PSU: 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs) | 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs) PSU: 1.7 kg (4 lbs) | 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs) | 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) | 12.2 kg (27 lbs) PSU: 14.9 kg (33 lbs) |
The Bottom Line
The AVID Pellar II and Pulsus II are not budget phono preamps with a nicer faceplate. Both are serious, UK-built MM/MC phono stages aimed at vinyl listeners who have moved beyond the built-in phono input on an integrated amplifier and want lower noise, better cartridge matching, and a more substantial long-term analog upgrade.
What makes AVID’s new pair interesting is the company’s refusal to treat either model as a disposable annual refresh. These are successors to designs that remained in service for more than a decade, now updated with revised component selection, lower-noise engineering, and a cleaner industrial design. The Pellar II is the more accessible entry point for listeners with one well-chosen turntable and cartridge, while the Pulsus II is the step-up option for systems where the phono stage is expected to extract more from a serious moving coil cartridge and a higher-resolution analog front end.
Competition is not exactly thin. The $2,495 MoFi UltraPhono Pro offers front-panel gain and loading adjustments, balanced and single-ended outputs, and a very different feature set. The $2,899 Cyrus 40 PPA adds four configurable inputs, balanced outputs, remote control, and upgrade potential for listeners running multiple turntables or tonearms. The tube-based Muarah MU-2 remains another compelling option around the Pellar II’s price, particularly for listeners who want easy cartridge loading changes and a warmer, more relaxed presentation.
The obvious question is whether the $4,695 Pulsus II delivers enough of a performance advantage over the $2,295 Pellar II to justify its substantial premium. That answer will depend heavily on cartridge quality, system resolution, and how deeply invested the buyer is in moving coil playback. For most vinyl listeners, the Pellar II is likely to be the more rational AVID entry point. The Pulsus II is for owners of more ambitious analog systems who are willing to pay considerably more to chase lower noise, greater refinement, and a higher ceiling.
And yes, there are far less expensive ways into external phono preamps. The iFi ZEN Air Phono 2 remains a sensible low-cost MM/MC option, but it belongs in a different conversation.
Price & Availability
The AVID HiFi Pulsus II and Pellar II phono preamps are designed and manufactured in the UK. Both will be available through authorized AVID dealers worldwide beginning July 2026.
- The Pulsus II is priced at £2,995 / €3,995 / $4,695.
- The Pellar II is priced at £1,450 / €1,995 / $2,295.
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