Vincent PHO-300 Phono Preamplifier Black

The Vincent PHO-300 is a phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges with a fully outboard power supply in its own second housing – for a particularly low-noise, clean playback of your turntable at a standard line input.

It's the step up from the PHO-200: instead of a plug-in power supply, the PHO-300 gets an elaborate power supply in a separate aluminium housing, connected via a DC cable. This keeps the sensitive amplifier circuit completely decoupled from mains interference.

Why the PHO-300?

Because with a phono preamplifier, the power supply has a real say in the sound. The cartridge signal is tiny and gets heavily amplified – any interference from the power supply would be audible. The PHO-300 solves this thoroughly: power supply and audio section sit in separate housings, cleanly connected via a 5-pin DIN cable.

Switchable between MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil), it suits a wide range of cartridges. Both housings are made of high-quality aluminium and fit neatly into the powerLine design. The result is a deep, quiet background from which the music emerges.

What you get

• Fully outboard power supply: its own aluminium housing, connected via DIN cable – maximum quiet for the audio section.
• MM and MC switchable: fits Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges.
• Low-noise circuit: selected components and a high signal-to-noise ratio for clear playback.
• Two-housing concept: compact aluminium housings in a clean powerLine design.
• Noticeable upgrade: more dynamics and fine resolution than a built-in phono stage.

Who is the PHO-300 for?

For anyone who takes their turntable seriously and wants more than a simple preamp – but doesn't (yet) need fine-tuning or digitisation. The fully outboard power supply is what brings the audible gain over the PHO-200 here.

Honestly: the PHO-300 has fixed input values – capacitance is fixed at 300 pF, MC impedance at 100 ohms. If you want to precisely match your MC cartridge or digitise records on your computer, the PHO-500 is the right choice. But for clean, low-noise vinyl enjoyment without any fiddling, the PHO-300 is ideal.

Our verdict

The PHO-300 brings the fully outboard power supply into an affordable class: low-noise, cleanly built, MM/MC-capable. An honest upgrade for anyone who wants to give their turntable a quiet foundation. i-fidelity.net took a closer listen to the PHO-300 in a review.

Which phono preamplifier suits your cartridge, we're happy to clarify quickly: call us on +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or drop by HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: phono preamplifier (MM/MC) with outboard power supply (powerLine)
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB); 10 Hz – 50 kHz (±2 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion: below 0.05%
• Input sensitivity: MM 58 mV, MC 6.8 mV
• Signal-to-noise ratio: MM above 83 dB, MC above 70 dB
• Input impedance: MM 47 kOhms, MC 100 ohms
• Input capacitance: 300 pF
• Output impedance: 250 ohms
• Gain: MM 40 dB, MC 60 dB
• Inputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × 5-pin DIN (DC input)
• Outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × 5-pin DIN (power supply DC output)
• Max. power consumption: 10 W
• Dimensions per housing (W × H × D): 112 × 60 × 126 mm
• Weight: 0.6 kg (audio unit), 0.9 kg (power supply)
• Colour: Black
• Included in the box: PHO-300 audio unit, PHO-300ps power supply, DIN connecting cable, power cable, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

What does the outboard power supply bring compared to the PHO-200?
The PHO-200 uses a small plug-in power supply, the PHO-300 an elaborate power supply in its own aluminium housing. This complete separation keeps mains interference even more consistently away from the amplifier circuit – the background becomes quieter, the playback more stable.

Which cartridges is the PHO-300 suited for?
For Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) systems. You switch between the two. The input values are fixed (47 kOhms for MM, 100 ohms for MC, 300 pF capacitance) and suit most common cartridges.

Can I adjust the MC impedance on the PHO-300?
No, the values are fixed. If you want to specifically tune your MC cartridge to different impedances, you need the PHO-500 or PHO-701 with their DIP switches. For standard applications, the fixed design of the PHO-300 is entirely sufficient.

How do I connect the PHO-300?
The turntable connects via RCA to the audio unit, the ground cable to the ground terminal. You connect the audio unit and power supply via the supplied DIN cable. From the audio unit you run RCA to a high-level input on your amplifier (e.g. AUX or Line) – never to an input labelled PHONO.

Why buy the PHO-300 at HD Zürisee?
Because from experience we know which phono preamplifier suits which cartridge and which system. We help you with the connection, tell you honestly whether the PHO-300 is enough or the fine-tuning of the PHO-500 is worth it, and are personally there for you in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich.

Goes well with

More from the brand is available in the Vincent overview. The right turntable is found among our turntables, more preamps among our phono preamplifiers. We're happy to add the right cable too.