Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2

Product Information

Finally, this phono preamp works with enthusiasm to boast a fine sense of rhythm without any lumps or missed beats. Pros Generally, the iFi Zen Phono produces excellent sound. It takes all that turntable offers without adding anything but only polishes every note to make the best sound. Many manufacturers currently sell receivers that can receive a phono signal or even make turntables with an inbuilt phono preamp. Truthfully speaking, the inbuilt version is more convenient. It allows you to listen to music with fantastic sound quality with the least baggage in your chain. The sound quality is very neutral, bringing out the best of your records as the artist/engineer intended without adding too much in the way of “color” to the sound. Overall, 110LP v2 is among the best phono preamps for its uncompetitive price. It dishes out a refined, smooth, and fluid sound with a satisfying punch. Pros

While the ART may be able to achieve some results with an MC system, it isn’t nearly as optimized for that as it is for MM. But that’s okay because this product is already loaded for the price. All in all, it’s a budget preamp that should do more than most people expect out of their phono preamp. What to consider when buying the best phono preamps

Listening

Unsurprisingly, the balance is spot on, too. The iFi is willing to reach as high or low as your turntable asks it to, and treat each frequency with that same sympathy to tone and texture. Its job is to increase the signal output from the turntable to a standard line-level signal and provide necessary RIAA equalization. Having tested the unit on both of my turntables (A Pro-Ject X1 and a Technics SL1500C), it comfortably holds its own against more expensive phono preamp options. All other preamps on this list are solid-state preamps. Which means that they use transistors for amplification. But I have included an amazing preamp for the tube phono preamp fans among us as well. Moving Magnet (MM)

The Rega Fono Mini A2D comes with an USB output that enables you to transfer your vinyl records into digital music on your PC. Undoubtedly, the market is overflowing with several options of phono preamps; hence making a suitable choice becomes difficult. But, worry not! Several fundamental factors guide you in the direction of a good phono preamp.Overall, the iFi Audio Zen phono preamp parts work together to enable vinyl clarity and excellent imaging. Pros Even with high-quality circuit components, the phono stage only works with a top-notch power supply. Apart from powering the system, the PSU unit of a phono stage also eliminates all hums. The Zen Phono is not bereft entirely of these talents, but it doesn’t snap in time or throw lines at us with the energy some deserve. We’re not exactly bored or left confused by the iFi’s performance, but we’d certainly trade some of that cleanliness for a little more feeling. Using the balanced output makes the presentation bigger and bolder, but doesn't change the phono stage's fundamental sonic character.

Usually, the standard frequency for most audio products is 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which is bearable for humans.A CD player usually puts out up to two volts. A turntable usually puts out up to … well, much less than that. Things aren’t so well defined with vinyl. But safe to say, the output will only occasionally be above one 1/100th of a volt (that is, 10 millivolts). Plug that into an input designed for two volts, and you’re going to get only the faintest wisp of sound. You can read more about this in our Is a Phono Stage the Same as a Preamp article. Do an expensive phono preamp sound better? A phono preamp comes with line-level outputs that produce signals for noise or overload. As a result, the signal distorts, requiring you to plug your preamp into your line inputs. 4) Can You Use A Preamp To Power Speakers? Remember always to maintain a strong signal level above the noise level, to get high-quality and clear audio. Generally, avoid buying a phono preamp with a low SNR. Total Harmonic Distortion

Those looking to archive records digitally will enjoy the ease of use granted by the plug-and-play USB connectivity. I advise keeping the Fono Mini far away from potential interference sources such as power supplies and other HiFi components for the best performance when recording records. The Rega Fono Mini A2D provides not only a decent quality MM phono stage, but with the addition of a USB port, it can now also be used as a method of digitizing your record collection for storing on your computer.Which, as I said, is something to be avoided. I turned things down so that nothing was peaking at above -3dB from the full scale. Then I hit the record button and set the vinyl to spinning. And it all worked perfectly. I recorded two full albums plus several minutes from one side of a third, and there wasn’t the slightest hiccough. Get those levels right, and you have the makings of a fine transfer. Rega Fono Mini A2D specifications