Vincent PHO 8 Phono Preamplifier MM/MC w/ Outboard Power Supply

Listed in The Absolute Sound 2012 High-End Audio Buyer's Guide

"A $400 Wonder" of a Phono Stage

Don't look for a puny 'wall-wart' power supply accompanying Vincent's gorgeous sounding and beautiful looking PHO-8 MM/MC phono preamplifier. Instead of including a standard wall adapter or incorporating an underpowered AC supply under the hood, the German-based audiophile company went all the way with a superb sonic solution.

"Vivid and Dimensional"

The Vincent PHO-8 was honored by its inclusion in The Absolute Sound 2012 High-End Audio Buyer's Guide, which noted, "Operation is quiet, the sound liquid, the soundstage vivid and dimensional with just a hint of warmth and transient softness compared to reference efforts."

"A $400 wonder," is how Neil Gader terms the Vincent in the March 2011 issue of The Absolute Sound magazine. "For many analog playback aficionados – first-timers and vinyl vets alike – the Vincent Audio PHO-8 phono preamp will be all they’ll need for a long time."

The PHO-8 uses a significant external power supply housed in a separate chassis for a no-compromise approach to sound quality. Feeling is believing. The power unit weighs around three pounds and has impressive heft when held in the hand. Thanks to a massive transformer and superior power regulation, AC power line ripples and interference are completely eliminated. The PHO-8's power supply unit connects to the phono stage unit via a five-pin DIN-plug. This dual chassis approach is one of the major factors that makes the PHO-8 such a superior component.

Switchable MM/MC Operation

The separate-chassis phono stage unit accommodates both MM moving magnet and MC moving coil cartridges. A front panel switch lets you choose between them. High-quality parts are used throughout the construction for extremely low noise operation. The MM section delivers a greater than 84 dB signal-to-noise ratio, while the MC section delivers greater than 71 dB ratio, with total harmonic distortion of less than 0.02%.

Both the power supply and the preamp units boast an exemplary metal case that testifies to the quality of the PHO-8. The attractive 10mm-thick aluminum front panel follows the design of Vincent's PremiumLine series. Stack 'em to conserve space . They look great together. The PHO-8 includes one pair of RCA inputs plus a ground, and one pair of RCA outputs. It also includes a detachable IEC-style power cord and a rear-panel fuse.

• MM and MC phono preamplifier
• Front panel MM/MC switch
• Separate chassis for power supply and phono stage
• High-quality parts
• One pair of RCA inputs plus a ground
• One pair of RCA outputs
• Detachable IEC-style power cord
• Rear-panel fuse

• Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
• T.H.D.: < 0.05 % (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• Input Sensitivity: MM 58 mV; MC 6.8 mV
• S/N Ratio: MM > 83 dB; MC > 70 dB
• Input Impedance: MM 47 k Ohm; MC 100 Ohm
• Output Impedance: 250 Ohm
• Max. Voltage Output: 8 V (per channel)
• Amplifier Gain: MM 40 dB; MC 60 dB
• Power Consumption: 10 W
• Weight: 3.3 lbs (power supply); 2.6 lbs. (preamplifier)
• Dimensions: 4.5" wide, 2.3" high, 5.4" deep

Listed in The Absolute Sound 2012 High-End Audio Buyer's Guide

"Operation is quiet, the sound liquid, the soundstage vivid and dimensional with just a hint of warmth and transient softness compared to reference efforts."

- The Absolute Sound 2012 High-End Audio Buyer's Guide, November 2011

"A $400 wonder… The Vincent Audio PHO-8 is a well finished and appointed dual-chassis phono preamp that belies its entry-level price."

"The $400 PHO-8's construction is sturdy and the neat interior layout reveals the short signal paths and bundles of high-quality parts necessary to achieve the critical low-noise operation that elevates quality phono preamps from the norm."

"For many analog playback aficionados – first-timers and vinyl vets alike – the Vincent Audio PHO-8 phono preamp will be all they’ll need for a long time."

- Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound magazine, March 2011