Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2

Product Information

Unsurprisingly, the balance is spot on, too. The iFi is willing to reach as high or low as your turntable asks it to, and treat each frequency with that same sympathy to tone and texture. Why it made the cut: With a wider-than-normal feature set for an entry-level phono preamp, the Zen delivers MM and MC capabilities with selectable gain, a smart subsonic filter, and even an additional 4.4mm balanced out, all while sounding remarkably nice. Perhaps the most exciting feature of the MP100 is its 24-bit analog-to-digital converter. With a USB-B, coaxial, and optical output, the MP100 is ready for vinyl digitization at 24 bits with a 96khz sample rate (much higher than CD’s 16 bits and commensurate with Blu-ray). It’s a pretty futuristic feature that ensures you can rip vinyl records to digital with world-class lossless quality. However, those digital outs aren’t just for ripping FLAC files; the digital outs also allow you to use your MP100 to connect a turntable directly to a home theater system without a full-sized phono receiver. Additionally, in a nod to pure analog lovers, these digital features can be fully disabled and powered down for those who wish to reduce potential noise. While the ART may be able to achieve some results with an MC system, it isn’t nearly as optimized for that as it is for MM. But that’s okay because this product is already loaded for the price. All in all, it’s a budget preamp that should do more than most people expect out of their phono preamp. What to consider when buying the best phono preamps

The award-winning and highly appreciated Rega Fono Mini A2D MKII is a preamp that perfectly blends cost and performance. It doesn’t cost a fortune, but it sounds and performs like it does. Moving Magnet (MM)For starters, iFi is a brand known for its outstanding products that compete with the best in the market at affordable prices. Better still, it allows the user to be more ambitious in settling, not for anything less. Which, as I said, is something to be avoided. I turned things down so that nothing was peaking at above -3dB from the full scale. Then I hit the record button and set the vinyl to spinning. And it all worked perfectly. I recorded two full albums plus several minutes from one side of a third, and there wasn’t the slightest hiccough. Get those levels right, and you have the makings of a fine transfer. Rega Fono Mini A2D specifications

Based in Southport, United Kingdom, iFi has been developing high-end audio gear since 2012 (if you’re more into digital-first listening, the iFi xDSD Gryphon is one of our favorite DAC-amps). The company is known for excellent sound, and its Zen phono preamp very much lives up to the company’s reputation. Compared to the Schitt Mani 2 (perhaps the most famous entry-grade phono preamp out there), the Zen offers a sound stage with slightly less gain and less emphasis on the bass register. However, when compared at equal volumes, this somewhat more open sonic profile results in a sound stage with greater depth and more nuance. Compared to the Pro-Ject Audio – Phono Box DC, the Zen delivers more robust mids.

Rega Fono Mini A2D specifications

Having tested the unit on both of my turntables (A Pro-Ject X1 and a Technics SL1500C), it comfortably holds its own against more expensive phono preamp options. Compact design is an asset I value very highly as I simply don’t have the space in my home for a very large Hi-Fi setup; thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sound quality. Firstly, it’s straightforward to set up and connect. Also, the unique Bluetooth connection is very convenient since you don’t need any long cable for connection. Better still, it’s easily recognizable by the system producing incredible sound.