Brauche ich überhaupt eine externe Phonostufe?

Ja, wenn dein Verstärker keinen Phonoeingang hat – ohne Entzerrung spielt der Plattenspieler viel zu leise und klanglich falsch. Ist ein einfacher Phonoeingang vorhanden, ist eine dedizierte Stufe kein Muss, bringt aber meist deutlich mehr Ruhe, Auflösung und Bassdefinition, weil sie eigene Netzteile und mehr Abstand zu Störquellen mitbringt.

Passt der Pure AAPhono zu meinem Tonabnehmer?

Sehr wahrscheinlich, denn er arbeitet mit MM- und MC-Systemen und lässt sich anpassen: Für MM stellst du Eingangskapazität und -widerstand ein, für MC den Eingangswiderstand. Nenn uns Hersteller und Modell deines Tonabnehmers, dann bestätigen wir die Eignung und nennen dir gleich die passenden Werte.

Wie stelle ich Kapazität und Widerstand ein?

Über Taster direkt am Gerät, ohne Werkzeug und ohne Ausschalten. Du wählst für MM-Systeme Eingangskapazität und Eingangswiderstand, für MC-Systeme den Eingangswiderstand. Die gewählten Werte bleiben gespeichert, auch wenn du den AAPhono vom Stromnetz trennst – einmal richtig eingestellt, musst du nichts wieder anfassen.

Hat der Pure AAPhono einen Kopfhörerausgang?

Nein, der Pure AAPhono hat keinen Kopfhörerausgang und keine Lautstärkeregelung – er ist eine reine Phonostufe mit festem Ausgangspegel. Du verbindest ihn mit einem freien Hochpegeleingang deines Verstärkers, etwa AUX oder Line. Für Kopfhörer brauchst du entsprechend einen Verstärker oder Kopfhörerverstärker dahinter.

Warum den Pure AAPhono bei HD Zürisee kaufen?

Weil eine Phonostufe erst mit korrekt abgeschlossenem Tonabnehmer zeigt, was sie kann – und genau diese Abstimmung machen wir mit dir. Unser eingespieltes Fachteam in Wädenswil kennt die Kombinationen aus jahrzehntelanger Praxis, unser eigener Techniker richtet dir Auflagekraft, Azimut und Abschlusswerte sauber ein.

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Audio Analogue Pure AAPhono Phono Preamplifier, Black

CHF 2'150.00

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Taxes included. Free shipping from CHF 190.–

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The Audio Analogue Pure AAPhono is a phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges that lifts the tiny signal from your turntable to line level and equalises it to the RIAA curve.

It's built in Tuscany, and you can tell from its restraint: no display, no light show, but three toroidal transformers inside the chassis — two for the channels, one for the control circuitry. The black finish turns it into a device that simply disappears into the rack and gets on with its job.

Why the Pure AAPhono?

A cartridge delivers a signal in the millivolt range — everything that comes after it decides how much of that survives. The AAPhono amplifies MM systems by 40 dB and MC systems by 65 dB, and holds the RIAA curve to within ±0.25 dB. In between sits a subsonic filter that catches low-frequency rumble from the platter before it reaches the power amp. Capacitance and resistance at the input are set with buttons; the values stay stored even when you unplug the unit from the mains.

What you hear

Above all, what was missing before: quiet between the notes. A properly matched cartridge on a dedicated phono stage sounds less like "a record playing" and more like music in the room — voices stand firmer, cymbals decay instead of hissing, and the bass regains its shape. Matching isn't a fussy accessory detail here, it's the actual lever: the same cartridge sounds different at 100 ohms than at 1000.

Who is the Pure AAPhono for?

For you, if your amplifier has no phono input — or has one that was clearly an afterthought. Equally, if you've switched to an MC cartridge and notice the built-in stage can't keep up. Plainly put: if you already own an integrated amplifier with a serious MM/MC section, you won't find a revelation here — it's more worth looking at your cartridge or turntable instead. And if you spin three records a year, you can safely put your money elsewhere.

Our verdict

An unspectacular device with a very spectacular effect, provided the matching is right. That's exactly the catch: an AAPhono terminated incorrectly on an MC system is wasted potential. Tell us which cartridge sits on your tonearm, and we'll tell you which values to set — HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical specifications

Device type: phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges
Gain: MM 40 dB, MC 65 dB (at 1 kHz)
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.25 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: MM 85 dB, MC 65 dB
MM matching: selectable input capacitance and input resistance
MC matching: selectable input resistance
Setting: via buttons on the unit, values stay stored after disconnecting from the mains
Special features: subsonic filter between the gain stages, DC protection circuit
Power supply: three separate toroidal transformers (one per channel, one for the control circuitry)
Output level: fixed, no volume control
Headphone output: not present
Channels: 2
Standby consumption (230 V): 0.5 W
Finish: Black
Dimensions (W×H×D): 220 × 87 × 372 mm
Weight: 5.8 kg

Frequently asked questions

Do I even need an external phono stage?

Yes, if your amplifier has no phono input — without equalisation the turntable plays far too quiet and tonally wrong. If a basic phono input is present, a dedicated stage isn't a must, but it usually brings noticeably more quiet, resolution and bass definition, because it comes with its own power supply and more distance from sources of interference.

Does the Pure AAPhono suit my cartridge?

Very likely, since it works with both MM and MC systems and can be matched: for MM you set input capacitance and resistance, for MC the input resistance. Tell us the make and model of your cartridge, and we'll confirm suitability and give you the right values straight away.

How do I set capacitance and resistance?

Via buttons right on the unit, no tools needed and no need to switch it off. You select input capacitance and input resistance for MM systems, and input resistance for MC systems. The chosen values stay stored even when you unplug the AAPhono from the mains — set it up correctly once, and you never have to touch it again.

Does the Pure AAPhono have a headphone output?

No, the Pure AAPhono has no headphone output and no volume control — it's a pure phono stage with a fixed output level. You connect it to a free line-level input on your amplifier, such as AUX or Line. For headphones you'll accordingly need an amplifier or headphone amp downstream.

Why buy the Pure AAPhono from HD Zürisee?

Because a phono stage only shows what it can do once the cartridge is correctly terminated — and that exact matching is what we do with you. Our seasoned team in Wädenswil knows the combinations from decades of practice, and our own technician sets up tracking force, azimuth and termination values cleanly for you.

Pairs well with

A phono stage is only as good as what feeds it: check out the Turntables and the Cartridges, find the matching amplifier under All Amplifiers, and the rest of the range awaits in the Audio Analogue world.