Chord Symphonic phono preamp
Best high-end phono stage for serious vinyl enthusiasts seeking ultimate precision.
The Chord Symphonic phono stage is the flagship MC phono stage within the esteemed Choral range, meticulously engineered to elevate your vinyl listening experience. It seamlessly integrates turntables into any high-fidelity system, unlocking exceptional performance from your analog music collection. This high-performance unit leverages advanced high-frequency power supply technology to fully realize vinyl's potential. Its flexibility is paramount, offering near-infinite input impedance and gain options, alongside balanced and unbalanced cartridge inputs. Comprehensive settings are externally selectable, and an integrated rumble filter effectively manages unwanted low-frequency noise while allowing for RIAA or IEC curve selection.
$5325.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
36
/ 466
#36 in Phono Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-23%
Below average
Circuitry Type
Solid State
/ Solid State
Who it's for
- Listeners demanding a silent noise floor and expansive dynamic range
- Audiophiles seeking absolute sonic clarity and micro-detail retrieval
- Vinyl enthusiasts with diverse or high-end cartridge collections
Who should skip it
- Casual listeners intimidated by manual technical configuration
- Budget-conscious listeners seeking high-value entry points
- Minimalists preferring understated or compact equipment aesthetics
Performance breakdown
Cartridge Versatility
Near-infinite impedance and gain settings accommodate virtually any moving coil cartridge.
Build Integrity
Choral range engineering delivers a chassis built for absolute sonic stability.
Signal Purity
High-frequency power supply technology ensures a clean, noise-free analog signal path.
Equalization Precision
Selectable RIAA and IEC curves provide accurate playback for diverse vinyl pressings.
Operational Flexibility
Externally selectable settings make fine-tuning your analog system remarkably straightforward.
Noise Management
Integrated rumble filter effectively tames low-frequency interference from older turntable setups.
Key Specs
Circuitry Type
Solid State
Output Connection Types
XLR Balanced, RCA
Input Impedance
Almost infinite options
Input Capacitance
0.0 picofarads
Equalization Curve Support
RIAA
Signal to Noise Ratio
0.0 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.0 percent
Subsonic Filter
Yes
Features
- Flagship MC phono stage in the Choral range
- Advanced high-frequency power supply technology
- Highly flexible input impedance and gain options
- Supports balanced and unbalanced cartridge inputs
- Externally selectable settings with LED indicators
- Integrated rumble filter for noise reduction
- Selectable RIAA or IEC equalization curves
- Adaptable operation based on tonearm wiring
What customers say
The Chord Symphonic phono preamp is celebrated as a reference standard by audiophiles, primarily for its exceptional sound quality. Users consistently praise its transparency, neutrality, and ability to reveal fine micro-details within vinyl playback. The resulting soundstage is described as massive and three dimensional, delivered with impressive speed and precision. Furthermore, its extensive configurability, allowing precise matching for both MM and MC cartridges, is highly valued for achieving optimal performance. While the build quality is robust and unique, the ultra-premium price remains the main barrier to entry. Despite the cost, those who acquire it often feel the benchmark sonic performance justifies the substantial investment.
Know before you buy
Yes, the Symphonic is designed to support both balanced and unbalanced cartridge inputs, offering the flexibility needed to integrate with various high-end tonearm configurations.
Absolutely. All settings, including gain and impedance, are externally selectable and clearly indicated by LEDs on the front panel, making it easy to fine-tune your setup.
No, the Chord Symphonic is specifically engineered as a flagship Moving Coil (MC) phono stage and is not designed for use with Moving Magnet cartridges.
The integrated rumble filter is designed to manage unwanted low-frequency noise, such as mechanical vibrations from your turntable, without compromising the integrity of your music.
Yes, the unit allows you to select between RIAA and IEC equalization curves, giving you the ability to match the playback characteristics to your specific vinyl collection.
The Symphonic is designed to integrate seamlessly with Chord’s Choral range preamplifiers, including the CPA 2500, 3000, 5000, and 8000 models.
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$5325