REGAFono MM MK III Moving Magnet Phono Pre-Amp - Black

Writing this review because I could not find this comparison anywhere with a good conclusion. Hope it helps. My major question going into this purchase was....is it worth it to spend this much to replace my excellent Cambridge Solo preamp to match my Rega Exact cartridge on my Planar 3 turntable. I am a audiophile tinker-er with 5 nice tables, but I hate complicated preamps with 85 dip switches, so my go to has been the Solo (or Duo for MC cartridges) After receiving the Rega Mk III I did dozens of side by side listens switching between the two. The Rega MK III has a very clear advantage (to my surprise). The bass is punchier and the soundstage is much more open than the Solo. I was very happy with the Solo/Exact combo, so color me super happy with this purchase. The only complaint is the seller had this in an MK5 Box labeled as a Japanese unit. If I ever sell it, that's will hurt the value. But I personally won't. So it's a minor thing. And this unit costs significantly less in the UK. So had to knock off a star for value for money. Sound is a subjective thing for sure....but I would recommend the Rega by quite a lot.

The preamp improved the sound out of my system

Beautiful, sweet sound. Allow this to break in for a week, or keep it on for several days. It needs to break in, the sound will be a bit fuzzy right out of the box. Sounds great after it's broken in.

I have a rotel rx-1052 with a built in phono preamp. My suspicion was that the phono preamp was not that good and hence i decided to purchase this phono stage that already has great reviews. Well, I was wrong. Either the Rotel phono preamp is really good or this Rega phono stage is not that good as it has been said. I could not hear a any difference at all.The thing that made the biggest improvement in my setup was the cartridge (from AT95e to ATVM95SH). So people out there, the cartridge is where you might want to put your hard earned cash.

I’ve been using the Schiit Mani as my phono pre-amp for about 2 years now and is very satisfied with its sound. My son started getting into listening to vinyl and it was time for me to pass it on to him. Looked for a replacement, read reviews about the Rega Fono MM MKIII, purchased it and wow, it sounded wonderful. JUST RIGHT, very balanced. Wide soundstage. Will bring you close to the music. Test record was ”Farenheight” by TOTO.

I will mention the standard audiophile requirements, imaging, sound quality, separation, etc., for exceptional listening. But, the best aspects of this Rega phono stage for me are: the major enhancement to my turntable/system sound and the additional time listening to my vinyl collection now.

I’m sure this is a great phono amp and look forward to getting one I can use. But Amazon sent two units in a row with 100v Japanese power supplies, from two different vendors. And they both sent the Mk 5 when I ordered the Mk 3.

I've listened to many phono stages and, for the money, this is hard to beat. Rich, full, detailed without any harshness. I think you could easily spend double and get less.

This has replaced my broken Ifi Phono amp. The Rega has a sophisticated, smooth, dynamic, open and natural presentation that suits acoustic instruments, electric guitars, and vocals. I would say it is an amp for concentrated listening and wasted if used for background music. I find it lacks a bit of drive and punch when playing high energy pop or rock music when compared to the ifi phono. However its musical performance always sits somewhere between exceptional for the price and extremely good. Overall the Rega is a far more musically satisfying and fatigue free listen than my highly rated and more expensive ifi phono. Recommended, but it really needs a £500+ turntable with at least £1000 of amp and speakers and concentrated listening to get the best out of it. ProsSound quality for the price. If you have an old phono amp that cost up to £1000, you may be shocked just how good the Rega sounds. highlights are:- Just sounds right tonally.- Solid and wide sound stage- Very good level of musical detail from highs to deep base.- Easy, relaxed and effortless presentation.- Doesn't emphasis sibilance.- Very low noise floor so quiet and subtle passages are just that.- Fatigue free.Easy to install with no impedance switches to match it to the cartridge.Small footprint.ConsFeels a bit flimsy. Case is well made, but in plastic. When I press the power button the amp moves.Doesn't suite anyone who collects LPs from 1954 or earlier as it only supports RIAA equalisation.May not have quite enough drive for those into real high energy pop or rock.RecommendationsMay take a few sides to sound its best.Good enough to notice differences in caballing so use good quality cables.Switch it off after use. Usual rule is low current devices (such as the Rega) don't gain much in sound quality from being left on when not used.General Listening notesTest with Special build turntable based upon Rega RP3-24 + Funk Firm FXRII arm + Goldring 1042 cartridge, Chord SPM2600 integrated amp, Tannoy TD8 Floor standing speakers.May suit jazz, blues and acoustic more than modern pop or rock.Very easy to live with.an audiophile's sound.Imaging slightly recessed behind the speaker so not quite as exciting a sound as some.Slight edge to sibilance for first side or two.Tight controlled bass which can give the impression of less bass, but it is just more accurately portrayed with little overhang. Also tends to put the bass in a natural context within the mix.Mids and highs are full of detail, smooth and natural. No edge or overblown sibilance of vocals. Well recorded percussion is a delight with lovely splash on cymbals.Good dynamic range and timing.

Great item professionally packaged and posted item received in great condition would highly recommend

My previous pre amp which was about half the cost worked good for classic rock and country music, but when ever I played a metal or a sludge album it sounded flat. The Rega fixed all of that, would recommend for any metal fans out there that want to upgrade.

Paired this preamp with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC/2M Red cartridge and it sounds outstanding. Night and day over previous NAD PP 2e. Worth every penny.Quick shipping and was contacted to make sure I received and setup okay.

This is nowhere near reference. But I'm ahead of myself. First the setup:Project debut carbon table with aluminum subplatter, acrylic platter, and audiotechnica VML 740ML going through a Yamaha A550 to Acoustic Energy AE II speakers. My previous phono stage was a NAD PP2e. This was supposed to be an upgrade and it is... Sort of.The pros: It's extremely quiet.It's warm sounding and musicalIt makes bad and mediocre recordings sound more alive and invitingThe cons:The detail and separation are actually worse than the NAD for twice the price and it makes some really good recordings sound a bit muddy.