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Get the BEST PHONO Stage for Your Money – From $100 to $3,000!

9.8K views · Nov 9, 2025 · Science & Technology

Comments · 23

  • @MadAudiofficial · 10 months ago · pinned

    📌 PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING <br> Let’s keep it kind and respectful — it’s totally fine to have different opinions, but remember, we’re all here to share our passion for audio. No need for negativity. <br> Please don’t post URLs or hashtags — YouTube automatically deletes them. <br> For daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and my full blog, check out <a href="https://www.themadaudio.com/">https://www.themadaudio.com </a><br>Thanks for being part of the community! 🎧

    3

  • @montycaps8235 · 8 months ago

    Great review. &nbsp;I have the ph10 with the power supply and the ph10 just stopped working. I’m getting it looked at but recently been thinking of trying something different now. The PS Audio has been high on my list.

    1

  • @razisn · 10 months ago

    Thank you for this summary. If you could get your hands on the Musical Fidelity M6x and M8x fully balanced phono stages I would be very interested to hear your opinion.

    1

  • @carlossilva-m3k1x · 9 months ago

    Great video thank you so much! &nbsp; You describe some great phono stages in the end. &nbsp; I’m surprised you would list the jc3+ as the end game over some of the others. &nbsp; The jc3 uses op amps and is not fully discrete as some of the others on the list but I guess implementation and sound is what counts. &nbsp;I’m looking for warmth in my sound &nbsp; &nbsp;Would you recommend the jc3+ over a tube phono stage such as the tube box ds3b? I do have a balanced TT or I can switch it back to rca outputs. &nbsp; Thx for the video. &nbsp;Loved it!

    1

  • @Staybrown11 · 10 months ago

    Try a step up MC transformer. I use an audio note s2 (found used) and it has been the best sound out of my Dynavector 20x2 cart. Lots of options out there

  • @rrtind · 10 months ago

    Thank you for this great video. I’ve been looking for a neutral phono stage for a while, one that will be excellent for trying out different cartridges to assess their qualities, but at the same time isn’t a boring sounding phono stage.<br><br>The SPL Phonos Duo and Pro-ject Phono Box RS2 from your review have really caught my attention. How would you describe their differences? Is the RS2 really a big step up from the Phonos Duo, or just a smaller step in performance? All things considered, features as well as performance, which would you go for?<br><br>Thank you and keep up the great work. I love watching your content 👌

    1

  • @scottboettcher · 1 month ago

    So I am 65, and back into audio for the first time in 30+ years...raising kids, etc and now I am enjoying a modest system I built.<br>Denon DP-3000ne / Ortofon 2M Bronze<br>Marantz 40n <br>Bowers &amp; Wilkins 704 S3 <br>I am wondering if any of the &quot;affordable&quot; phono pre-amps would help? &nbsp;I love my system, but it&apos;s hard not to play the game!<br>Just curious. &nbsp;I&apos;m not on an endless hunt for perfection, but wondered what I might look at to upgrade the vinyl side?<br>Thank you - great video and wonderful details in your description. &nbsp;👍🏼👍🏼

    1

  • @40126bo · 10 months ago

    Thank you very very much. Only a question: so, for the same price, you prefer the Fosi to the Ifi Zen Air Phono?

    1

  • @KryssN1 · 4 months ago (edited)

    Hello,<br>How would you compare Ifi Zen Phono 3 vs Onkyo A50 vs Yamaha AS701 inbuilt phono MM stages?<br>I also have an option for Rega Fono MM MK5 for same price as Ifi Zen 3.<br>Will be using it with Rega P6RS.<br><br>I currently own Yamaha RN800A (As701), thinking of upgrading to Onkyo A50. I do g know if it will be a step up, but if it will be then I will keep it. But I dont know if Ifi Zen Phono 3 will be a step up from either of those and worth the 250€.

    1

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