Music Hall Analogue A3 Phono Preamplifier

Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile

Visually Striking with Attention-Getting Performance

Music Hall's Analogue A3 is a visually striking phono preamp with attention-getting performance. This solid yet nimble and musical preamp was designed and built around two 12AU7 medium-gain dual triode tubes, which contribute to the appeal of the Analogue A3's design. These tubes are known for their combination of warmth, speed, and detail, and they are therefore perfect for use in a phono stage as only Music Hall can build it.

"Recommended Component" Honors

Stereophile honored the Analogue A3 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.

According to Stereophile, "While HR found that the A3's MC input made a good match with Ortofon's inexpensive 2M Blue cartridge, he felt it worked best with the expensive Koetsu MC cartridge when used with Koetsu's SET feeding the MM input. Compared to the Kitsuné LCR-1 MK5, which he described as 'sometimes cool, hard-punching - dare I say masculine-sounding?'

"HR felt that the A3 presented itself 'in a more feminine manner. The A3's presentation was less dramatically dynamic and less physical sounding. But I think the A3 was playing closer to the truth.' He concluded that 'fine tube sonics and a quality Alps volume control make Musical Hall's Analogue A3 easy to recommend.'"

Perfectly Pleasing Form and Function

The Analogue A3 is a true heavyweight in its component class. Your phono preamp no longer needs to be relegated to a tiny box that sits beside your component stack – the kind of component that a stiff wind could blow off your desk. At ten inches wide, seven inches deep, and weighing six pounds, the A3 is a substantial component. it is equipped with electronics that are on par with circuitry used in the best rack-size phono amplifiers.

An Emphasis on Superior Sonics

As with anything Music Hall does, the Analogue A3 was designed in the service of sound. From the substantial aluminum alloy chassis to the careful selection of internal components, nothing was spared – nor added – for any reason but to maintain signal purity.

The hybrid design marries vacuum tube and solid state circuitry. This delivers the warmth and lushness of classic tube hi-fi gear, which is especially applicable to an analog music source like your turntable. The 12AU7 dual triode tubes were well chosen for their sound quality and longevity, ensuring years of trouble-free operation. The Analogue A3's solid state circuitry contributes speed and other attributes along with rock-solid performance.

Ultra-Quiet Operation

The Analogue A3 boasts ultra-quiet operation, letting your music really shine through a very low-noise background. The ALPS "Blue Velvet" volume control offers silky-smooth operation.

Suitable for both MM moving magnet and MC moving coil phono cartridges, the A3 delivers excellent RIAA linearity. Contributing to the overall performance are vibration-damping feet, solid alloy construction, and gold-plated RCA inputs and outputs. The unit comes packed in a sturdy flight case.