Phono Preamp Reviews

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Graham Slee's $1449 Accession Raises the MM Playback Bar
Michael Fremer  |  Apr 25, 2019
For almost two decades now British phono preamp manufacturer Graham Slee has been designing, producing and selling specialized high quality phono preamplifiers. His latest is the $1449 Accession, an unusually versatile model that includes a volume pot, which means the Accession can be used as preamplifier to drive a power amplifier. If all you plan on doing is playing records using one turntable and a moving magnet cartridge (or a high output MC or moving iron), the Accession obviates the need for a separate preamplifier.
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Phono Preamp Reviews
Hagerman Audio’s “Tubey” But Quiet Trumpet MC Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Apr 10, 2021
Hagerman Audio Lab’s 3rd generation fully balanced from input to output 3 pound Trumpet MC combines a differential JFET input front-end with a more conventional 6 dual-triode vacuum tube (4X 12AX7, 2X 12AU7) gain/ phase-splitter/driver/output (if I misread the schematic, which is possible, Hagerman will correct me!). Each tube came fitted with a damping ring.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Hegel's Remarkable V10 Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 19, 2022
When in the late 1980s Bent Holter started Hegel—named after The Hegel Band, a rock band in which he played, which itself must have been named for the philosopher—designing a phono preamplifier would have been the last thing on his mind, if a phono preamplifier would have been at all on his mind—at least one to manufacture. He’d built one for personal use, I recall him telling me a few years ago at an EISA convention.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Herron Audio VTSP-1 preamplifier & VTPH-1MC phono preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Mar 19, 2000
This is an era in which products and websites are "launched," but in the past two years Herron Audio has sort of oozed its way into the public ear. With little visible promotion or splashy advertising, Herron is now spoken of within an ever-widening audiophile circle.
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Phono Preamp Reviews
iFi's "Cost Is An Object" Zen Phono MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Mar 08, 2021
iFi’s Zen Phono preamplifier replaces the busy, but super-adjustable dip-switch laden operating system found on the company’s far more costly ($999), feature-rich iPhono 3 for a much simpler one, yet the Zen offers an impressive feature set, and high build and parts quality, all for $149.99.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
iFi's iPhono 3 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier Takes A Giant Sonic Leap Forward
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 01, 2020
The recently introduced iPhono 3 is the third iteration of the remarkably compact, full-featured phono preamp iFi first introduced in 2012 that AnalogPlanet most positively reviewed. The original unit sold for $399.

iFi introduced in 2016 the seriously upgraded iPhono2 more positively reviewed on this website. The company made significant upgrades to both parts and features. Despite the many improvements, the price increased a scant $100 to $499.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Is Swan Song Audio's New Cygnet Phono Preamplifier Worth Its Weight In Copper?
Michael Fremer  |  Jun 23, 2014
Swan Song Audio (www.swansongaudio.com), newly arrived in the audiophile electronics market will make its show debut at October’s Rocky Mountain Audio Festival 2014. Earlier this year Anthony Crocker (who I think at this time is Swan Song Audio), emailed and offered for review his Cygnet Phono Preamplifier.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Lamm LP2 Deluxe phono preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 18, 2009
In an ideal world, I'd have every phono section I've reviewed in the past 16 years on hand to compare with these three and with all that arrive in the future. But because I have a life, I don't, and I wouldn't even if I could, though some readers (and one retailer) have insisted that that's the only way that I could possibly be of any use to them. Ha! And for those who are concerned that I've neglected the Manley Steelhead, not so! It's still my reference.
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Phono Preamp Reviews
Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II MM/MC Phono Preamp Reviewed
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 03, 2013
Norbert Lehmann’s Black Cube phono preamplifiers have surprised and at times amazed for their superior sonic performance at near bargain-basement prices. He’s been designing, building and upgrading his phono preamplifiers for nearly two decades beginning in 1995 with the original Black Cube.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Lejonklou's Smooth Sounding Gaio Moving Magnet Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 04, 2018
The Lejonklou Gaio MM phono preamplifier is as simple to use as Swedish designer Fredrik Lejonklou’s name can be difficult to spell or pronounce until you get the hang of it. The Gaio has been referenced in various AnalogPlanet moving magnet phono preamp shoot-outs but it’s never been given a stand-alone review.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  May 24, 2012
The all-FET, class-A, B2B-1 phono preamplifier ($1749), made in the US by Liberty Audio, is beautifully built inside and out, and comes in a heavy-duty aluminum chassis with a baked-on crackle finish and a 3/8"-thick, black-anodized faceplate. The overall build quality and physical appearance suggest something that costs more than $3000, which is probably what it would cost were it sold through retailers and not factory direct. It comes with a two-week return policy.
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Phono Preamp Reviews
Liberty Audio’s $1995 B2B-1 Phono Preamp Is Sneakily Stunning
Malachi Lui  |  Jan 30, 2020
Last year Peter Noerbaek offered me a review sample of the Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono preamp. “I’m happy with my MoFi UltraPhono,” I told MF, “but I’ll try the B2B-1.” Not necessarily thinking it would at first make a significant difference in my system, I soon instead found that in terms of imaging, punch, dynamics, and sonic cleanliness, it greatly enhanced my hi-fi’s performance.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
LKV Research Phono 2-SB MM/MC Phono Preamplifier: Affordable Excellence
Michael Fremer  |  Feb 28, 2014
Made in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA, using where possible American parts, designer Bill Hutchins’ LKV Research Phono 2-SB has the kind of Japanese corporate name that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
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Phono Preamp Reviews
Luminous Audio Technology's Remarkable Arion Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 11, 2015
Much to the probable consternation of Luminous Audio Technology, I’ve sat on this MM/MC preamplifier review for more than six months. I probably could have literally sat on the Luminous Audio Arion too, so solidly is in constructed, but I didn’t.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
Manley Labs Steelhead phono preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 05, 2001
The Manley Steelhead tube MM/MC phono preamplifier was first demonstrated at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show. Nine months later, my long-promised review sample of Eveanna Manley's new baby was delivered. While Ms. Manley may have given birth to the audacious product, it was conceived by the company's chief hi-fi designer, Mitch Margolis.
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