{"product_id":"vincentpho200bl","title":"Vincent PHO-200 Phono Preamplifier Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Vincent PHO-200 is a compact phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges that raises the tiny signal from your turntable to line level – so you can run your deck even on an amplifier without a phono input.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's the entry point into Vincent's phono range: a cleanly built metal housing with an outboard plug-in power supply that keeps hum interference away from the sensitive amplifier circuit. No frills, but exactly what a turntable without its own preamp needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy the PHO-200?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause a cartridge's signal is extremely quiet – a few millivolts – and needs to be substantially amplified and equalised to the RIAA curve before your amplifier can do anything with it. That's exactly what the PHO-200 does, and with less noise and more cleanliness than the often thinly specced phono stages built into many integrated amplifiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA switch on the underside lets you toggle between MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil). This way the PHO-200 stays with you even if you switch cartridges at some point. The separate power supply keeps the interference-prone electronics right where they belong: far away from the transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMM and MC in one:\u003c\/strong\u003e switchable, fits practically any common cartridge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExternal power supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e the outboard plug-in power supply keeps hum and interference out of the audio section.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean signal path:\u003c\/strong\u003e RIAA equalisation with a high signal-to-noise ratio for a quiet, clear playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact metal housing:\u003c\/strong\u003e small, unobtrusive, finds a place anywhere.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHonest upgrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e audibly better than the built-in phono stage of many integrated amplifiers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is the PHO-200 for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who wants to connect a turntable to an amplifier without a phono input – or who wants to swap their amplifier's built-in phono stage for something better without spending a lot of money right away. A sensible first step into vinyl listening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHonestly: the PHO-200 is the entry point, not a reference device. It has fixed input values and no fine-tuning – if you want to precisely match your MC cartridge or digitise records, take a look at the PHO-500 or PHO-701 instead. But for a solid, uncomplicated entry point, the PHO-200 is exactly right.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe PHO-200 is an honest, well-built entry-level phono preamplifier: MM\/MC, external power supply, clean sound – at a fair price. The obvious choice for a first turntable or an amplifier without a phono input.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhich phono preamplifier suits your cartridge, we're happy to clarify quickly: call us on +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls) or drop by HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e phono preamplifier (MM\/MC) with external power supply (powerLine)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB); 10 Hz – 50 kHz (±2 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal harmonic distortion:\u003c\/strong\u003e below 0.05%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput sensitivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e MM 58 mV, MC 6.8 mV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignal-to-noise ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e MM above 84 dB, MC above 71 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e MM 47 kOhms, MC 100 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGain:\u003c\/strong\u003e MM 40 dB, MC 60 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 × stereo RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 × stereo RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwitching:\u003c\/strong\u003e MM\/MC on the underside of the unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower supply:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 V DC, 200 mA (external power supply)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (W × H × D):\u003c\/strong\u003e 115 × 55 × 130 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded in the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e PHO-200, external power supply, instruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I even need the PHO-200?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf your turntable doesn't have a built-in phono preamp and your amplifier has no phono input, then yes. The PHO-200 raises the quiet cartridge signal to line level and equalises it to RIAA – only then does the record sound right. It's also worthwhile as a replacement for a weak built-in phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between MM and MC?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese are the two common cartridge types. Moving Magnet (MM) delivers a higher signal and is more widespread, Moving Coil (MC) a finer, very quiet signal. The PHO-200 handles both – you switch between them using the switch on the underside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the power supply in a separate plug-in housing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause the phono signal is tiny and sensitive. A transformer right next to the amplifier circuit would easily induce hum. Thanks to the outboard power supply, the audio section stays quiet – you hear the music, not the mains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen is it worth stepping up to the PHO-300, PHO-500 or PHO-701?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe PHO-300 brings a more elaborate, fully outboard power supply. The PHO-500 allows fine-tuning to the cartridge and can digitise records via USB. The PHO-701 additionally uses a tube for a warmer sound. For a pure entry point, the PHO-200 is enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy the PHO-200 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause from experience we know which phono preamplifier suits which cartridge and which system. We help you with the right setting, tell you honestly whether the entry model is enough or the bigger one is worth it, and are personally there for you in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore from the brand is available in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/vincent\"\u003eVincent\u003c\/a\u003e overview. The right turntable is found among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntables\u003c\/a\u003e, more preamps among our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e. We're happy to add the right \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/kabel\"\u003ecable\u003c\/a\u003e too.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vincent","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989577691472,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/vincent-pho-200-phono-vorverstaerker-schwarz-frontansicht.png?v=1787061205","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/vincentpho200bl","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}