Description
Designed in-house by maudifi, the PhonOh! 756 phono stage is an affordable high-end audio pre-amplifier for vinyl playback. It is a switchable moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) phono stage with loading and gain settings configurable through piano switches. It is a musicality first design using quality components throughout and it has the smooth, open, spacious and detailed soundstage maudifi is known for.
The printed circuit board (PCB) is double sided and uses twice the thickness of copper in comparison to standard boards. The input stage has a very low noise voltage (1.1 nV√Hz @ 1kHz). The RIAA equalisation response is accurately followed and an optional infrasonic, or subsonic, rumble filter may be chosen at order time.
The PhonOh! 756 has a versatile footprint that allows it to be built into an enclosure of your choice, or it conveniently fits in the majority of Cambridge Audio phono stage boxes (540P, 640P, 551P, 651P, CP1 and CP2) as a 10-minute upcycling exercise. This makes it a highly cost-effective high-end phono stage solution that can lead to fewer electronics going to landfill.
Because it is a ground-up new design, with audiophile design goals, it performs even better than the maudifi Stage 2 upgrade for the 551P sonically and in measured response.
Lead time from order: 4 – 6 weeks.
Specifications
| MM | MC | |
| Gain | 40dB | 55dB |
| Input Impedance | 47kΩ | 100Ω |
| Capacitor loading options | nil, 150pF, 220pF, 370pF | |
| Output impedance | 50Ω | |
| Frequency response | 20Hz – 20kHz | |
| Subsonic Filter | Optional | |
| Distortion (THD) | < 0.035% @ 1kHz | |
| Power Supply | 12VAC 500mA | |
| Dimensions | 207 x 128 x 30 mm (8.15″ x 5.04″ x 1.2″) |
jim_poulter –
I decided to buy this upgrade for my Cambridge Audio 551p and could not be happier with the results.
I was originally looking to send my 551p in for the stage 2 upgrade due to my diy soldering skills are as yet untested and I didn’t feel confident that I would be able to carry out the work myself.
Although this would obviously leave me without my phono stage for a couple of weeks.
After emailing and speaking with Scott (who has been extremely helpful) and after looking into some of the data on the PhonOh! 756 I decided for the extra cost involved I would be getting a much better upgrade, plus I didn’t need to send in the 551p in and therefore be without my records.
I received the upgrade and after 10 mins had installed it .
Immediately the music sounded crisper, more dynamic, present and with a more forward sound stage.
Elements of songs (Spirit of Radio) that I had never noticed before were suddenly present and part of the mix.
Another song that had an undampened bass drum in the intro really allowed the space of the room to be heard from the ambient recording.
Probably the most telling thing I can say though is that my wife (who does not normally notice the upgrades) noticed the difference between the 551p and the upgrade saying that it is a lot crisper and more detailed.
Also, I love the PhonOh! name.
Simon York –
Er… WOW!
The Stage 2 for the 540P was fantastic, but A/B testing against the PhonOh! shows the former mod was a touch too sparkly.
Whereas the PhonOh has it perfect. Instrument separation, space, placement, nothing overpowering whatever the focus should be. I cant fault it so far. Tomorrow I will get a bit more Rock and metal to see what it brings to the party, but overall, Its been running 5 hours now and I love it!
I think my conclusion is that both the original maudifi Stage 2 551P preamp and the new, PhonOh! 756 phono stage are both solid choices if you want to vastly improve your Cambridge Audio preamplifier (or many other makes and models). However, the new PhonOh! 756 preamp has a much more compelling feature set. Not only is it a simple circuit board swap, but it has a much flatter RIAA response.
This means it opens up the soundstage beautifully, giving every band member a distinct place to play and vocalists have freedom to sing haunting harmonies and emotional solos. It boosts the potential of the overall production, so that everything moves and flows pleasingly where it should, but without adding in any potential undesired coloration.
This is another win for the audio a community and I highly recommend this preamp.
Patrick Morrissey (verified owner) –
Fantastic upcycle for Cambridge Audio Preamps!
I’m a vinyl DJ who recently upgraded to a much higher quality mixer which led me on a path to determine if its onboard preamps were better than my old Cambridge Audio CP1s. In that search, I found these and decided to pull the trigger and I’m VERY happy that I did! The stereo field is incredible and it all just sounds better in every respect, especially when listening to instruments that are played live (you can hear ALL the nuances, it’s crazy). The absolute icing on the top is that, after I replaced the boards in my existing two CA enclosures, I was able to give the old boards to friends to use. I love the upcycling aspect of these and would absolutely buy them again in a heartbeat!!
Doug Reid (verified owner) –
I chanced upon the PhonOh! phono pre-amplifier quite by chance because I was building up a second stereo system. Having bought a used Cambridge Audio which didn’t work, I contacted Scott who was extremely helpful. In the end I opted for the PhonOh!756 with no filter and external PSU (PSU-AC12-2500). So good is it that, rather than use it with the intended system, it has replaced the already excellent Henley Designs Phono stage I bought in the early 1990s in my main system.
Whilst the Henley has a good soundstage and focuses the individual musicians well, the PhonOh! is in a different league. It has a 3 dimensional transparency about it and musicians have space and air around them. It’s as if you are there with the band, orchestra or instruments.
I’m using it with a well specced Linn LP12 and Dynavector 20×2 high output MC cartridge but it sounds equally good with an Audio Origami/Johnny 7 modded Rega Planar 2 with Audio Technica AT95ML.
If you’re looking for a top end phono pre-amp but can’t stretch to top end hi-fi prices then you will not be disappointed. Scott is something of an alchemist as well as being approachable and good to deal with.