MoFi Electronics StudioPhono MM/MC Phono Preamplifier

Mastering-Room Know-How, at an Entry-Level Price

The MoFi Electronics StudioPhono is an MM/MC phono preamplifier. It's the entry point into MoFi's lineup, sitting below the pricier UltraPhono Pro and the flagship MasterPhono.

Its circuit was developed with input from Tim De Paravicini. He's the engineer behind Mobile Fidelity's own Gain2 Ultra mastering system. MoFi built the StudioPhono to bring some of that same design thinking to a real-world price.

Toggle switches on the underside handle gain and loading, so you can adjust settings without tools. It's handcrafted at Mobile Fidelity's own facility in Michigan.

Dual RCA inputs and outputs let you connect two sources or run to two destinations, with a grounding post included to help quiet turntable hum.

Gain and Loading for Nearly Any Cartridge

Gain switches across four levels: 40dB, 46dB, 60dB, and 66dB, covering everything from a high-output moving magnet to a low-output moving coil cartridge.

Moving magnet loading is fixed at the standard 47 kOhms. Moving coil loading switches between six settings: 75, 100, 500, 1k, 10k, and 47k ohms. Input capacitance is fixed at 100pF.

THD stays low across both cartridge types, rated under 0.01% for moving magnet and under 0.012% for moving coil.

A mono switch collapses stereo to mono for vintage mono LPs. A subsonic filter cuts rumble from warped records. It measures 7.25 by 4 by 1.25 inches and runs from an external, balanced power supply.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Michael Lavorgna reviewed the StudioPhono for Twittering Machines in March 2023. He praised its "wonderfully tight, resolving, and driving sound," noting its "fine balance of sonic skills" across a range of records.

Lim Juan reviewed it for audioFi.net in January 2023. He described its presentation as "almost creamy." Its midrange, he added, showed "very good fine detail where texture and nuance of individual voices and instruments" came through clearly.

Who Is This Preamp Best For?

• Anyone who owns a moving coil cartridge. Its 60dB and 66dB gain settings give low-output MC cartridges the boost they need.
• Collectors with vintage mono records. A dedicated mono switch is built in, rather than left out at this price.
• Listeners who want proven, independently reviewed sound quality. Multiple named reviewers praised its detail and tonal balance.
• Anyone stepping up from a receiver's basic phono input. Its adjustable gain and loading outperform most built-in phono stages.
• Not the right fit for anyone who wants a headphone output. Unlike some other phono preamps, the StudioPhono doesn't include a headphone amp.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run your turntable's phono cable into one of the StudioPhono's RCA inputs, then connect an RCA output to a line-level input on your amp or receiver.

Flip the underside toggle switches to set gain and loading for your specific cartridge. Attach your turntable's ground wire to the rear post to help quiet any hum.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the MoFi Electronics StudioPhono:

• Turntables without a built-in phono stage
• Phono cartridges, MM or MC, matched to its switchable gain
• Interconnect cables to connect its outputs to your amp

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this compare to the UltraPhono Pro?

The StudioPhono is MoFi's entry-level model. The UltraPhono Pro sits well above it, bringing more of the flagship MasterPhono's engineering at a higher price.

Can I use this with a moving coil cartridge?

Yes. Its 60dB and 66dB gain settings, along with six loading options, are built with moving coil cartridges in mind.

Does it have a headphone output?

No. The StudioPhono is a phono preamp only, without a built-in headphone amp.

Can I play mono records on it?

Yes. A dedicated mono switch is built in for vintage mono LPs.

See It in Action

HiVinyls compares the StudioPhono against the Schiit Mani:

Analogholic reviews the StudioPhono as a budget reference phono stage:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about matching a phono preamp to your cartridge, setting up your turntable correctly, or getting the most from your vinyl collection? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.