PHONOSTAGES
“...Offers a level of set-up flexibility unusual at any
price and sonic performance that was several notches
higher than my most optimistic hopes for the sound.”
And why you need one
– Michael Fremer, Stereophile
Whether you just acquired your very
first turntable or never abandoned the
unique pleasures of spinning LPs, a good
phonostage is absolutely essential to
complete the high-end analog equation.
At their core level, phonostages amplify
the extremely low-voltage signal that is
output by phono cartridges. Yet their overall
performance—as well as their dynamic,
imaging, pacing, and detail abilities—is
largely determined by a multitude of factors
that involve circuits, power supplies, filters,
shielding, gain/load settings, and MM/MC
compatibility.
IFI iPhono MM/MC Phonostage
Analog guru Michael Fremer paired iPhono
with an $8,500 phono cartridge to see
what would happen. The results? He
couldn’t believe his ears. iPhono comes
with six stereo EQ curves, adjustable MC
load, dedicated MC stage, adjustable MM
load, adjustable gain, and Class A circuitry
with ultra-wide gain. High-end performance
at a real-world price.
“The Bargain of a Lifetime Tube
Phonostage. For $275, it offers warm
musical sound and may be just what
the doctor ordered for those who
want to get into analog without
loading up the credit card.”
$429
– The Absolute Sound
THE MAGIC OF TUBES
BELLARI
VP130 Tube MM Phonostage
For those on a budget and that
prefer the natural tone only tubes
can provide, this American-made
tube MM phonostage is just the
ticket. Dead-quiet, with a glorious
midrange. A built-in headphone
amp completes the package.
The Absolute Sound Editors’ Choice
MUSICAL SURROUNDINGS
Phonomena II+ MM/MC Phonostage
Elevating the original TAS Product of the
Year Award-winning design, Phonomena
II+ offers the most adjustable gain and
loading settings in its price range. The
ability to dial-in your cartridge just as you
wish, RIAA equalization, clean design, and
resulting musical satisfaction all make this
updated phonostage a budget-conscious
phenomenon.
MADE IN USA
$275
MUSICAL FIDELITY
V90-LPS MM/MC Phonostage
Great sound in a well-built, sleek
chassis for an unbeatable low price.
This has been Musical Fidelity’s
mission for decades, and it shows
in V90-LPS. Its separate MM and
MC inputs are each tuned to offer
excellent performance and convey
a startlingly realistic musical
portrait of the recorded event.
$229
$749
MUSICAL SURROUNDINGS
Nova II MM/MC Phonostage
With gain and loading options galore, the
battery-powered Nova II can be precisely
tuned to any cartridge you choose. The
Absolute Sound’s Paul Seydor got it
right when he said it “ranks up there with
some