Parasound ZPhono USB
Cambridge Audio CP-2 (updated model = Duo)
NAD PP3i (updated model = PP4i)
Musical Fidelity V90 LPS
Rega Fono MC & MM (two separate models)
Pro-Ject Phono Box
Schiit Mani
Cambridge Audio CP-2 (updated model = Duo)
NAD PP3i (updated model = PP4i)
Musical Fidelity V90 LPS
Rega Fono MC & MM (two separate models)
Pro-Ject Phono Box
Schiit Mani
The shootout was unofficial and took place in the absence of men in white lab-coats :)
I judged the phono stages on 3 criteria: functionality, sound quality and price.
Let me start off by striking off those which failed to impress almost immediately.
Schiit Mani - major issue here was/is shielding. This Mani generated not only audible hum, but RFI to the extent that i could pick up local foreign language radio stations, not clearly, but definitely audible. Having gotten a replacement unit within the week, it fared no better. And NONE of the other brands/models exhibited any extraneous hum and/or interference.
Pro-Ject Phono Box - did the job and would make use of it, if it were gifted to me, but would not go out of my way to spend money on the unit. File this phono stage under inoffensive and forgettable.
Rega Fono MM/MC - two decent enough phono stages. Nothing too write home about. They both do an admirable job, but the MM at the price is outdone by others providing both MM and MC functionality. The MC version, again a uni-tasker, in comparison is not value for money
With those out of the way I shall list the remaining phono stages in order of preference:
- 1 Parasound ZPhono USB
2 Cambridge Audio CP2
3 NAD PP3i
4 Musical Fidelity V90 LPS
You cannot go wrong with any of the above and they are all value for money. While there are newer and updated models as I mentioned of some of these units. I am listing them as there were indeed available to me at the time. These can now be available at a discount, depending upon geography and availability.