Phono Preamp Testing: Which One Is Best?

I test several phono preamps, mostly those built into various vintage amplifiers, receivers, and preamps but also including one standalone phono preamp. The four receivers were the Marantz 2252, Sansui 2000A, NAD 701, Pioneer SX-440, and Pioneer SX-990; the one integrated amplifier was the Nikko TRM-750; the two preamps were the Adcom GTP-500 II and Fisher CC3000; and the standalone phono preamp was the Rega Fono Mini. Testing employed a function generator app and an oscilloscope (Fluke Scopemeter), and the objective was to compare the frequency responses of the phono preamps to the RIAA standard.

[davidhanna]

I thought this was interesting. I learned a little about preamps and was able to make a little more sense of what I may be hearing with different preamps. I appreciate all the work you did for this video.

[ayewhite]

Very interesting! I’d love to see these tests repeated on some newer standalone phono preamps (besides the Rega)

[PGRPGRPG]

Very interesting. As we say, garbage in garbage out… would be quite interesting, as you did with the rega, to compare entry level dedicated phono preamps and see how they do behave .

[rondickinson]

Very interesting thanks for all your hard work

[Crumbleofborg]

No pre out? Why not just use the tape loop? Anyway, thanks for an interesting comparison. It's slightly surprising to see the amount of variability between these vintage amps. It just shows why equipment matching is so important.

[ceylonmooney]

if u add a volume control to a power amp, you have a power amp with a volume control. most power amps have a volume control, just not most hifi amps.

[chichanleon]

I want to buy a Rega Fono mk5 should I go for it?

[borisgorin]

Completely meaningless test and waste of time 🤷‍♂️