{"product_id":"clearaudiobalancereferencephonosi","title":"Clearaudio Balance Reference Phono, Silver","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Clearaudio Balance Reference Phono is a phono preamplifier with two fully independent inputs for MM and MC cartridges, adjustable output level and remote control – here in the silver aluminium finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principle is quickly told: two separate phono stages in one housing. Your main turntable and a second player both stay wired, switching takes one button press. RCA or XLR is your choice per input, not the unit's – and the volume control often makes the preamp behind it redundant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Balance Reference Phono?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good phono stage adapts to the cartridge, not the other way round. That's exactly what the Balance Reference hands you the tools for: six graduated impedances for moving-coil cartridges from 50 ohms to 10 kilohms, three switchable capacitance steps up to 400 picofarads for moving magnet – and all of it twice, independently per input. Add a balanced design with an outboard power supply, RIAA response accurate to ± 0.1 dB, and total harmonic distortion low enough to make the decimal point count.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreedom instead of compromise. Two cartridges permanently connected, the level conveniently adjusted from your armchair, and when it gets late, two headphone outputs take over – two, because good records rarely want to be heard alone. If you run a purely analogue chain, you connect the Balance Reference directly to the power amp and save yourself a unit plus a pair of cables in the rack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Balance Reference Phono for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors with two turntables, with MM and MC in parallel, or with a consistently balanced system. Bottom line: with just one cartridge and no plans to switch, a lot of this unit's capability sits unused – the Balance V2 covers that case at a fraction of the cost. And a warning: line sources like a streamer or CD player have no place on the Balance Reference, it's phono through and through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo phono stages, level control, remote, two headphone outputs, and matching options that genuinely have something to adjust – in this combination, the Balance Reference has little company. Awarded the Golden Ear 2024 by stereoplay. How to dial your system in cleanly, and which connection works better in your room, is something we look at together at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e phono preamplifier for MM and MC, balanced design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhono inputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 completely separate inputs, each individually switchable between MM and MC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput connections:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2× RCA (unbalanced) and 2× XLR (balanced)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGain:\u003c\/strong\u003e +46 dB (MM) \/ +66 dB (MC), each at 1 kHz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance\/capacitance MM:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 kΩ \/ 50 pF, switchable +150 pF, +270 pF, +400 pF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance MC:\u003c\/strong\u003e selectable 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 500 Ω, 1000 Ω, 5 kΩ, 10 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRIAA accuracy:\u003c\/strong\u003e ± 0.1 dB (20 Hz – 100 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal harmonic distortion:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c 0.001 % (IEC A)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput level:\u003c\/strong\u003e adjustable (volume control at the unit and via remote), max. \u003e 12 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150 Ω (XLR) \/ 75 Ω (RCA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphone output:\u003c\/strong\u003e present – 2× 6.3 mm jack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControls:\u003c\/strong\u003e volume and input selection at the unit and via remote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e external power supply, 2× ± 18 V DC (power supply 2× ± 21 V DC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 12 W in operation, \u003c 0.5 W standby\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W × H × D):\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 240 × 78 × 145 mm (preamp)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 2.9 kg (preamp) + approx. 2.2 kg (power supply)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\/finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e aluminium, silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-year manufacturer's warranty from registration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScope of delivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e preamp, external power supply with connecting cable, remote control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I leave two turntables permanently connected?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, that's exactly what the Balance Reference Phono is built for. It has two completely separate phono stages that can be set independently. Switching between turntables happens via the input selector on the unit or the supplied remote. You never have to unplug cables again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I match it to my MC cartridge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVia the impedance selector. Six values are available: 50, 100, 500 and 1000 ohms, plus 5 and 10 kilohms. In MM mode, you adjust capacitance instead, with three additional steps up to 400 picofarads. Gain is 46 dB for MM and 66 dB for MC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Balance Reference replace my preamp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a purely vinyl-based chain, yes: the output level is adjustable, so you can connect a power amp or active speakers directly. Once a streamer, CD player or tuner joins the mix, you'll still need a line preamp, since the Balance Reference only processes signals from cartridges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow good is the headphone performance?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo 6.3 mm jack sockets are built in and controlled via the unit's volume control. That means a separate headphone amp becomes unnecessary for your turntable. Two sockets also mean two people can listen to the same side without anyone having to swap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there a sonic difference between silver and black?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Silver and black differ only in the surface of the aluminium housing. Circuitry, connections, adjustment options and accessories are identical across both versions. The choice is purely a matter of taste and what looks coherent next to your other equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Balance Reference Phono from HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a phono stage of this class deserves proper setup work. We work out impedance, capacitance and connection with you, set the unit up in your system, and take care of you afterwards as an authorised Clearaudio dealer. Reach us at +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls), or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFind cartridges for both inputs under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003eCartridges\u003c\/a\u003e, matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonarme\"\u003eTonearms\u003c\/a\u003e. An overview of everything analogue is under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/alles-vinyl\"\u003eAll About Vinyl\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clearaudio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53223379009872,"sku":null,"price":7900.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/clearaudio-balance-reference-phono-vorverstaerker-silber-frontansicht.png?v=1785847227","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/clearaudiobalancereferencephonosi","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}