Musical Surroundings, Inc. Phonomena Customizable Phono Preamp

Distributed by Musical Surroundings, Inc. (purveyors of Basis, Benz-Micro, Koetsu, Graham, and Aesthetix) and designed by Michael Yee, the Phonomena offers unprecedented cartridge-loading flexibility at its $600 (new) price. There are 16 steps of gain, ranging from 40 to 60 dB, and 128 load impedance settings available, ranging from 30 to 100 k-ohms. Two capacitance choices are available for loading moving magnet cartridges. Removing the metal top plate of the 12″ by 5″ by 2″ chassis, with the thoughtfully supplied Allen wrench, allows access to the small DIP switches, which allow the user to set the gain and impedance for virtually any cartridge. A group of 8 DIPs (4 for each channel) control gain and another group of 16 (8 for each channel) set capacitance and impedance, resulting in a choice of 2,112 possible combinations. A transparent plastic fascia saves the unit from the typical generic black-box appearance.

There is no power switch, but a blue LED indicates that the unit is turned on. The circuit is a class A design, incorporating discrete, matched, low-noise input transistors and a dual mono layout. A smallish detachable wall-wart supplies power.

Once playing, it's clear that the true sound of the Phonomena is subjective and intimately versatile. Trying to assess its ultimate sonic signature is a tough call but most settings and cart pairings are solid and highly enjoyable. At its best, it offers a wide, deep, and coherent stereo image with very good ambience retrieval. There is no sense that two instruments are occupying the same position in space, allowing easy orientation to and placement of instruments within the soundstage. Detail is excellent and reveals musically relevant information rather than mere extra-musical whitewashing. Compared to the best available phono stages, timbre of the instruments is good but obviously not as harmonically rich as it could be. Bass dynamics, power, and authority will be a product of your cartridge selection though musical expressiveness in the smaller gestures is also quite good. High frequency reproduction is pleasing and extended & piano is free from clang, and violins don’t shriek. Although the Phonomena falls a bit short of the absolute, its sins are mainly of omission and are forgivable considering the unit’s reasonable price.

In summary, this is a very good phono preamp. Are there better, yes, but we've had pieces twice the price that don't perform as well. This is totally capable phono preamp and when paired & dialed in appropriately with the cart of choice, is a stellar performer despite its super easy on the wallet. This unit is in excellent overall condition and has been thoroughly tested and performs wonderfully.

Demos are encouraged at the Andover shop.

Musical Surroundings Phonomena Adjustable Phono Preamp: $379.00 + sales tax an shipping when applicable

*NOTE: The newest iteration of the Phonomena is $1,450.00!