Douk Audio T3 PRO Tube Phono Preamp for Turntable, MM Phonograph Preamplifier, Mini Valve Stereo Preamplifier for Record Player

Product Information

To be precise, a phono stage is the same as phono preamp. However, not essentially an equivalent of a preamp. Within the context of turntables, the terms phono stage and preamp are usually used interchangeably. And customarily means that they are identical.

We have tried to describe some of the main tube phono amps in the game of record playing for you for the use of professional as well as beginner audiophiles. However, if you still want to narrow your choice than we have selected a phono amp that might fulfill most of the qualities required by a good record player. The Yaqin MS23B Tube Phono Stage is a worth buying product that gives a smooth and distortion-free sound. Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono PreampI cannot critique the sound it produces for the money too much, but the build quality is far below what I expect when I buy professionally manufacturer audio gear today. The impedance, capacitance and gain settings has slightly different steps/intervals between the two so that might be something to study in detail if you have an exact loading that you want to pin-point for your system.

We use a large power transformer and a EZ80 valve rectifier followed by two large chokes for very smooth power. This is regulated by the excellent EL84 valve controlled by a 12AX7 for the very accurate smooth voltage necessary for true high end performance. The preamplifier unit uses a unique circuit using 4x ECC88 to get the high gain and low noise for excellent detail and soundstage. There are inputs for two turntables, with a moving coil option using our own ‘in house’ designed and manufactured moving coil transformers. The PS3 MkII has an unusually large output (1,260 mv) this with internal ALPs volume control enables direct coupling and control of many power amplifiers.

6418 Sub-miniature Pentode Tube (Valve) Matching

What We Don't: There are issues in the mids - the audio of vocals and acoustic guitars can be quite floaty. So, after the PS1 review, Warren Lavender of Audioarcan asked if I’d like to review next in line to Icon’s phono throne, the PS3 MkII. An immediate reply, yes.