Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2

Product Information

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. But there’s more to it than that. For various practical reasons, engineers cut the bass on a vinyl record to extremely low levels, and they boost the treble to extremely high levels. How extreme? By 20 decibels in each case, which is a factor of ten times. The audio signal output from a turntable is usually fragile, like 1000 times low, compared to a CD player. Therefore, there’s a need to boost the signal to reach the average line-level or AUX necessary for the modern amplifiers. In a wider context, a preamp can be something different than a phono stage. A preamp can for example be a preamplifier for a microphone. 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.

Having a phono preamp isn’t a must. Still, it proves beneficial to many sound technicians due to its dedication to improving your player’s signal.

How About Recording?

The Fono Mini A2D phono stage is based upon the phono amplifier used in Rega’s Brio amplifier as well as taking cues from the Rega Fono MM, but offers a cost effective version at incredible value for money, along with an incredible performance. The Rega Fono Mini A2D phono stage is an easy to use phono pre-amp that lets you simply enjoy your vinyl record collection. What the Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 can offer you When buying a phono stage, a compact and lightweight choice is ideal. There’s little to no space next to the turntable; hence, a tiny preamp would fit easily. The unbeatable sound from MK3 airs from the speakers with reduced noise floor providing better clarity. Another impressive performance is the expanded dynamic range. Or you might want one that sounds better than the one that is built into your turntable or amplifier.

Ripping vinyl with this preamp is effortless because any digital editor can use it. This makes the fine Audacity software very flexible instead of a controlled self-designed program. Performance There’s a little volume control on the front of the unit so you can adjust the level. With digital recording you should be careful not to push the level meters into the red, or you start to get extreme distortion. That volume control does not affect the line outputs, only the digital output. I took the opportunity to record some LPs. Not for piracy purposes, but because I’m preparing to test some record cleaners. It worked like a dream. I plugged it into my Microsoft Surface Pro 4, started up my recording software, and fiddled around for a while with the volume control. There was plenty of gain, to the point where it was easy enough to push the recording meters into the red.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. It uses high-quality capacitors of Panasonic and TDK to enable precise clarity and low distortion. Its distinct low-noise power supply produces noise as low as -151dBV hence, offering a solid preamplification. Performance Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now. There’s simply no overt colouration going on here, and that’s conducive to a great transfer of your vinyl to digital.

A CD player usually puts out up to two volts. A turntable usually puts out up to … well, much less than that. Things aren’t so well defined with vinyl. But safe to say, the output will only occasionally be above one 1/100th of a volt (that is, 10 millivolts). Plug that into an input designed for two volts, and you’re going to get only the faintest wisp of sound.

Remember always to maintain a strong signal level above the noise level, to get high-quality and clear audio. Generally, avoid buying a phono preamp with a low SNR. Total Harmonic Distortion It’s the kind of thing at which Rega excels, and it offers products that sandwich the Zen Phono in price. The Fono Mini A2D isn’t in the same league when it comes to features or build quality and doesn’t match the Zen Phono for detail, but its sound is overall more musical and engaging for two-thirds of the price. Several factors control the gain figures for the low output moving coil. First, is the circuit vacuum tube solid? Usually, SS designs effortlessly reach high gain and low noise results than vacuum tubes. Generally, the iFi Zen Phono produces excellent sound. It takes all that turntable offers without adding anything but only polishes every note to make the best sound. This a the same multi award winning product in a new updated restyled case to bring it in line with the restof the Rega range.