Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #205: H&S Ice Blue phono cartridge, Manley Chinook phono preamplifier

Michael Fremer Jun 12, 2026 First Published: Aug 01, 2012

AnalogPlanet.com has gone live. Allan Toussaint should title an album. Elvis Costello should write a song. I'm running the website, and will continue to write this monthly column for Stereophile, as well as equipment reviews (though fewer of the latter).

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #206: Travels, Musical Fidelity M1ViNL phono preamplifier, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement phono cartridge

Michael Fremer May 25, 2026 First Published: Sep 01, 2012

I recently spent a week traveling—it was good to get out of the basement! First up, toward the end of May, was an event at the Audio Alternative, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Owner Rick Duplisea is a vinyl fanatic and Linnie whose store—actually, his sprawling home—is packed with gear and LPs. His record collection beats mine.

Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews Spin Doctor

Spin Doctor #36: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl S phono preamp, Sumiko Oriole phono cartridge

Michael Trei May 13, 2026

I get nervous when I hear that an audio company I like is suddenly under new ownership. Are the new owners planning to carry forward the legacy of the company's founders, or will they try to move things in a different direction?

Brilliant Corners Digital Processor Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Brilliant Corners #37: A Lejonklou System

Alex Halberstadt Apr 14, 2026

The more I listen—to gear I'm reviewing as well as other people's hi-fis—the more I believe in intangibles. One of these intangibles is the art of system building.

Analog Corner Phono Preamp Reviews Powerline Accessory Reviews

Analog Corner #209: Moon Evolution 810LP and Fono Acustica Sinfo

Michael Fremer Mar 09, 2026 First Published: Dec 01, 2012

Their proven success with phono preamps has encouraged Simaudio to now go way upscale: The Moon Evolution 810LP ($12,000) is the company's no-holds-barred entrant in the premium end of the market, and the first phono preamp in its Evolution line of high-end models.

Gramophone Dreams Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Gramophone Dreams #106: Lab12 Melto2 Phono, Tzar DST V1 Black Knight Corian, Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250

Herb Reichert Feb 25, 2026

On the front page of its owner's manual, Greek amplifier manufacturer Lab12 describes the Melto2 ($4995) as a "Remote Controlled, Fully Adjustable Phono Preamplifier." I'd describe it as a clear-speaking, fun-to-use, cartridge- and record-collector's dream. Plus: It's got tubes.

Gramophone Dreams Phono Preamp Reviews

Gramophone Dreams #105: The Hot Club of New York and the Kitsuné KTE LCR-1 MK5 phono stage

Herb Reichert Feb 05, 2026

Last night, I sat on a bright yellow velveteen sofa eating red beans and rice while listening for three hours to blues and jazz from rare 78rpm records. I walked out feeling gospel-level raised up, with a head full of dreams and cultural memories.

Phono Preamp Reviews

Luxman E-07 phono preamplifier

Herb Reichert Jan 28, 2026

My DACs are taking naps. I have not played music from a digital source in at least 12 weeks. I'm having too much fun playing records from the '50s and '60s with period-correct phono cartridges and listening to 100-year-old 78s at the Hot Club of New York.

Capital AudioFest 2025 Phono Preamp Reviews Spin Doctor

Spin Doctor #33: Hi-Fi Shows, the 2025 Capitol Audiofest, and the Doshi Evolution Phono Preamplifier

Michael Trei Jan 26, 2026

I was heading back home to New York in my old Mercedes diesel on a Sunday evening, having just attended the annual Capital Audiofest near Washington, DC. Riding shotgun was fellow Stereophile scribbler Ken Micallef, and as we puttered along the straight, featureless lower half of the New Jersey Turnpike, we started to reminisce about our audio show experiences.

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #212: Analog Comparisons, New Phono Products from Zesto & Miyajima

Michael Fremer Jan 12, 2026 First Published: Mar 01, 2013

How was last fall for you? Mine was crazy. I traveled much of October: the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest one weekend, emceeing Chad Kassem's Blues Masters at the Crossroads Blues Festival the next, and the week after that, appearing at two Audio Advice stores, in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. From there I traveled to Los Angeles to attend a 30th-anniversary celebration for Tron at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.