Phonostages


EATs E-Glo Phono

EATs E-Glo Phono

There’s just something synergistic and entirely analog about vacuum tubes and vinyl. Part romance, part legend, who knows? Placebo or not, vinyl just takes on a different vibe when played through an all tube front end. Read More >


Bandwidth Audio's Kaskode One phono

Bandwidth Audio’s Kaskode One phono

With so much excitement over the $10k – $30k phono preamplifiers, there’s somewhat of a gap between $10k and down. Bandwidth Audio has a great solution. Read More >


World's First Review: VPI's Voyager

World’s First Review: VPI’s Voyager

About a year and a half, on a visit to the VPI factory, Mike Bettinger had just joined the staff and was hard at work on what would become the Voyager phonostage. A true old-school perfectionist, Bettinger probably drove VPI principal Mat Weisfeld crazy fine tuning the finished product. Read More >


A $2,995 Marvel - The EAT E-Glo S Hybrid/Tube Phonostage

A $2,995 Marvel – The EAT E-Glo S Hybrid/Tube Phonostage

Listening to the intricate harmonies in Crowded House’s “You Better Be Home Soon,” European Audio Team’s E-Glo S (named for its glowing vacuum tubes jutting out of the casework) offers up a sound that is mellow, defined, and dynamic. Read More >


The Gold Note PH-10 Phonostage

The Gold Note PH-10 Phonostage

If you’ve been reading TONE this year, you know we’ve made an amazing discovery in Italy’s Gold Note line of phono cartridges. They achieve a wonderful balance of tone, dynamics, and resolution, and at a reasonable price. Read More >


The Pass XS Phono

The Pass XS Phono

Of the thousands of tracks auditioned during the Pass XS Preamplifier’s stay here, Lou Reed’s “Vanishing Act” sums it up perfectly. As he sings/speaks, “It must be nice to disappear…” the words to describe the XS Pre appear. Read More >


Channel Islands PEQ 1 mk.2 Phonostage

Channel Islands PEQ 1 mk.2 Phonostage

Tracking through an old MoFi favorite, Yes’ Close to the Edge, via the nearly $60,000 combination of Grand Prix Monaco 2.0 turntable, TriPlanar tonearm and Lyra Etna cartridge, it’s hard to believe it’s all playing through a $995 phonostage. Read More >


 iFi Audio iPhono Mini Phonostage

iFi Audio iPhono Mini Phonostage

When the little iFi iPhono box first landed on my desk, I thought it was my wife’s new iPhone. From its outer appearance to its packaging to its name, the iPhono could indeed be mistaken for an Apple product. Read More >


Van Alstine Vision Phono Preamplifier

Van Alstine Vision Phono Preamplifier

Though famous for his tube designs, Frank Van Alstine is no slouch with solid state either.  With passive EQ and no coupling capacitors, this American made phonostage offers no frills high performance. Read More >


Simaudio MOON Evolution 610LP phonostage

Simaudio MOON Evolution 610LP phonostage

Bouncing between St. Vincent’s current and last album, I can’t help but be in awe of the staying power of the vinyl record.  Thanks to the many manufacturers, like Simaudio, who have not only kept the faith, but continue to innovate and refine their designs, spinning records is better than ever in the year 2014 than it ever was. Read More >


Rogers PA-1A Phono Preamplifier

Rogers PA-1A Phono Preamplifier

Last year, we had a ton of fun listening to the Rogers EHF-200 MK2 integrated amplifier, which combines high-tech design, tubey goodness, and old-school American build quality. Read More >


Rega Aria Phonostage

Rega Aria Phonostage

Literally translated, the word aria means air in Italian, but it is often referenced as a lyrical, playful section of music as well.  All of these terms apply rather nicely to Regas latest phono stage of the same name. Read More >


Audio Research REF Phono 2

Audio Research REF Phono 2

In the past two years since the Sooloos music server has entered my life, I must admit that the music-lover side of my personality has been dominating my audiophile side. Read More >