“I am enjoying playing music with new gadget. compare with previous Zphono USB preamp & Digital interface the sound quality is no difference at all . I do not use USB digital. I's not expensive yet good quality.”
“Maybe I'm being too hard on what is after all a bare bones budget unit. I haven't heard any of its competitors in this price range recently. But the guts of this thing is a VERY long in the tooth IC op amp....that's how they do it for 2 clams. The sound overall is good, clean, and boppy! Maybe TOO clean...it's probably just me. But I can never stand listening for very long to op amps. It must be the high amount of global feedback in them; I see to really react to that. But you may not. The damn thing looks good, and overall sounds good, so give it a try. But is a little date, now because I have to say, IF you can afford about 1 clam more, the MoFi Phono stage, which is ALL discrete, and Audio Advisor SHOULD be selling, but isn't yet, will MOP the FLOOR with this unit. Check it out.”
“The Zphono is awesome. I hear sounds that I didn't hear before. The music is clear and crisp just like it should be. The music sounds as good at low volumes as it does at high volumes.”
“This is a really nice piece. I was skeptical about it for the $300.00 cost. How much better can this be compared to my Cambridge audio 551P? And for that matter how much better is it compared to the phono section that is part of my Rogue Audio CM2? Well, I must say, it has more gain, and 100% quieter that the CM2 phono stage, and more open sound stage with good low end, than the Cambridge. I am using decent audioquest interconnects, and a shunyata research venom power cable. I like the idea that Parasound allows the power cable can be upgraded, does make a sound difference compared to the stock cheap power cable, but not sure if a 200 dollar power cord is making that much a difference, there isn't much electronics and a small transformer inside the Parasound piece. My TT is a Thornes 190-2 with ortofon cm 40 cart. MM. So, in a nut shell, I recommend this Phono Amp for anyone that doesn't want to break the bank. For $300.00, it is well worth it. It does 46db/ 70db MM/MC. Lastly constructed well.”
“For the money this is hard to beat. Such a significant upgrade to the built in phono preamp in the integrated amp I had been using. Sound is more dynamic and REAL sounding. Cymbols more lifelike, midrange is smooth and clear and bass more dynamic than before. A very smart purchase on my part and as usual Audio Advisor is the perfect place to purchase. Almost always have equipment in stock with fast and safe shipping.”
“...with the caveat that you NOT try and run a MC thru this unit. Its signal to noise ratio is only 56db in MC mode, which is just too damn noisy. But for your MM's, or high output MC's, this one will do you proud. Very ballsy, dynamic sound, with great rhythm. It only falls down a bit with massed strings, which sound a bit too steely for my taste. But that's why I run a tubed phono preamp in my big rig.I'll use this one in my downstairs rig, driving a tubed Schiit Valhalla headphone amp. Do make sure you invest in a Pangea AC 14 powercord...just the basic one will make a very nice improvement.”
