Compact, beautifully designed, and relatively affordable—could the Moon 110LP v2 take your vinyl playback into the stratosphere and beyond? The Moon 110LP v2 by SIMAUDIO is the company’s take on an affordable phono preamp, aiming to take technologies developed for their higher-end phono preamps and make them more accessible in an affordable, low-profile unit. Everyone loves an audiophile bargain, and … Read More
Pro-Ject T1 Review – Gateway to Audiophile?
Sitting between Pro-Ject’s new entry-level E1 and the legendary “Debut” line, does Pro-Ject’s T1 turntable offer the best bang for your buck? Having recently reviewed the Pro-Ject Primary E and E1 entry-level turntables, Sound Matters explore what you gain for stepping up a level in the Pro-Ject upgrade path. The Pro-Ject T1 is said to bring “audiophile design to a … Read More
Pro-Ject E1 Review – A Great First Turntable?
When it comes to designing affordable turntables with true HiFi sound, Pro-Ject are a formidable force. The Austrian company calls their relatively new E1 series “Entry 1 into the world of analog sound”. Could the Pro-Ject E1 be the ideal first turntable? Pros: Great sound at this price point | Handy speed switching | Super easy setup | Optional built-In … Read More
Pro-Ject Primary E Review: Great Vinyl Sound?
Pro-Ject has a long-held reputation for nailing the basics to produce entry level-decks with real audiophile credentials. But does the Primary E live up to its forebears? Pros: Basic playback performance is spot on | Easy plug-and-play setup | Energetic and lively sound. Cons: Not much to look at, but a small price to pay for nailing the sonic performance at such … Read More
Fosi Audio Box X2 Phono Preamp Review – Audiophile Bargain?
With a highly attractive price tag of just $70, the Fosi Audio Box X2 tube phono preamplifier has rightly caught the attention of value-seeking vinyl enthusiasts. But at such a low cost, can it really improve the sound of your records? The Fosi Audio Box X2 is a tube phono preamplifier of sorts. In reality, like most affordable tube phono … Read More
Ten of the Best Vinyl Record Subscription Services in 2023
Across the vinyl community, there is a shared appreciation for the experience of collecting and playing records. We all have an affection for the physical product and the extra dimension it brings to the music we love. As an increasing number of music fans discover the joy of vinyl, there is a growing number of vinyl record subscriptions and record … Read More
Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 Review
Could Rega’s entry-level phono stage be one of the best budget phono preamps on the market? If you want to get the very best performance from your turntable’s cartridge, a great-sounding phono preamp is essential. Rega has a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional audiophile value with products prioritizing sound quality over bells and whistles. The Fono Mini A2D MK2 is … Read More
Best Phono Preamps 2023: Amazing Sound at Any Budget
Our roundup of the best phono stage options. We’ve got you covered: From budget phono preamps that kickstart your vinyl journey to high-end options designed to suit the true vinyl connoisseur. If you own a turntable, you’ll need a phono stage somewhere in your setup to boost the very low output of your turntable cartridge and apply equalization based on … Read More
Best Budget Phono Preamps for Amazing Sound
If you’re buying your first vinyl setup, you’ll need to make sure you have a phono preamp somewhere in the signal chain. In straightforward terms, a phono preamp amplifies the signal up to a level suitable for the AUX input on your Hi-Fi receiver. Also, it will apply an equalization curve to inverse the standard frequency adjustment made during the … Read More
Best Tube Phono Preamps to Suit Any Budget
In most other industries, vacuum tubes have gone the way of the dodo, replaced by more sturdy and durable transistor-based circuits. Audio equipment, both for consumer HiFi use and professional studio recording gear, is a different story. In the world of audio, vacuum tubes still hold a place in the hearts of audiophiles for their unique sound characteristics. Tube phono … Read More
