![]() With moving coil cartridges, large-scale dynamics are a touch restrained and bass is softer – but you’d have to spend half as much again to get a phono stage that does appreciably better. It has a subtle way with music that's rewarding and easy to listen to for long hours. The stereo imaging is accomplished and remains stable even when the music becomes demanding. It works particularly well with moving magnet cartridges, dishing up a smooth, fluid and refined sound with a satisfying punch. Features are basic but it's clear that Moon has focused on the bit that counts – sound quality.Īs such, the Moon 110LP v2 is one of the best phono preamps of its kind at this price. Provided you keep it away from other mains-powered products and power cables, this phono stage will prove suitably quiet and hum-free. The neat aluminium box is finished to Moon's high standards and is switchable, meaning it's capable of handling both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. It doesn't have the snappiest of names, but the Moon 110LP v2 does a fine job of improving your vinyl performance. Less convincing with moving coil cartridges That new case is certainly attractive enough, while that same agile, punchy performance gives you just the sound you're looking for if you like your music to have a bit of bite. Rega didn't exactly reinvent the wheel with the Mk5 model, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. ![]() From Beethoven to Bruce Springsteen, the Rega Fono MM is completely at home. When testing the phono preamp out with the Rega Planar 3/Elys record player (it's moving magnet only), we were once again struck by the unit's fast, punchy sound that gives your favourite tracks a real sense of weight and gusto.ĭetail is great, too, uncovering new layers of musicality and texture as it goes, especially with regard to vocals. No, the changes aren't massive from the previous models, but what remains is the Fono MM's ability to knit music together confidentially and cohesively. That same Rega DNA is still in there throughout the latest Fono MM Mk5 phono stage. 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. Not a huge change over the previous version Of course, sound quality is the final decider: we'd recommend demoing your new phono preamp with your existing deck and system if possible, to ensure you get the best-sounding performance when spinning your vinyl records. It's the same case if you're looking to upgrade your current set-up, although it's always worth looking at the next model up for future-proofing. Ultimately, which phono stage you choose will depend on what's best appropriate for the turntable and cartridge you already have, so make sure you've got your deck's specs handy. ![]() Compatibility trumps design here, although it's not hard to find nicely made boxes. High-end phono stages tend to be larger (separate power supply units and better components all take up space), while budget options have a smaller footprint. Phono stages typically only have one set of inputs (you're usually plugging in just one turntable, after all), and even those on the entry-to-mid-level price range now increasingly let you switch between MM and MC cartridges – although beware that plenty still specialise in one type only. And once you've got your new vinyl set up ready, here are a few tips on how to get the best sound from your turntable. If you're on the lookout for a new turntable, check out our pick of the best record players for every budget. We've drawn on our reviews catalogue from recent years to pick the best available right now, so you can be sure that you're buying the very best quality for your money. Every phono stage on this list has been thoroughly tested by the team of experts at What Hi-Fi? in our dedicated listening rooms, so you can trust our buying advice. But whether you're looking to pinch pennies or break the bank, we've got a phono preamp for you. 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.Īs with many product categories, phono stages span all price ranges. 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.
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