Intro
Contents
It’s time for part two of the test of phono pre-amps. In this second round, we throw in a few affordable options. Consider the Cambridge Audio Duo. How does a 349 Euro model compare to something around 1000 Euro?
The second part of this phono stage test is similar to the first part. In short: we test the phono pre-amps on our reference system and with real original vinyl.
The test set-up
We tested these five candidates in combination with an STD 305D (STD = Strathclyde Transcription Devices), deck. The tone arm is an SME 3009 Series II. The cartridge, an ADC TRXII (MM).
The rest of the system is the well-known Alpha Audio reference set:
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- TAD Evolution 2 speakers
- Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier
- Pass Labs X150.8 power amplifier
- Van den Hul Nova speaker cable
- Grimm TPM interlink between the pre-amps and the Pass Labs
- YETI Reference filter for the sources
- Isotek Titan V5 filter for the power amplifier
- YETI mains cabling
The Phono pre-amps are NOT connected to a filter. These are in a solid Supra power strip.
Music
We pulled out two albums for this test this time:
- Mendelssohn, symphony no.4 “Italian”, part 4 ‘Saltarello (Presto)’. Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Lorin Maazel
- Otis Redding – Otis Blue
