SOTA Pyxi MM/MC Phonostage
Best high fidelity upgrade for discerning vinyl enthusiasts.
The SOTA Pyxi Phonostage, developed in collaboration with Wyn Palmer and Bill of Phoenix Engineering, offers exceptional performance that belies its price point. It features an ultra-low noise floor designed to significantly improve detail extraction from your vinyl. The phonostage utilizes 1% resistors throughout, with 0.1% in critical gain and RIAA stages, ensuring consistent and precise channel matching for a compromised sound output. Every Pyxi board undergoes rigorous quality checks to guarantee the RIAA curve is flat and the tight tolerances are maintained. This all-analog implementation, powered by linear supply regulators, avoids digital processing to deliver a pure and impressive audio experience without bloating any part of the sound spectrum.
$450.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
559
/ 893
#559 in Phono Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-93%
Below average
MC Input sensitivity
2501
/ µV rms @ kHz
Who it's for
- Vinyl collectors with varied cartridge types or future upgrade aspirations
- Audiophiles prioritizing sonic accuracy and immersive vinyl playback
- Discerning listeners valuing established brands and long-term product dependability
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious individuals exploring entry into high-quality vinyl systems
- Advanced users seeking precise impedance and capacitance matching options
- Shoppers preferring widespread retail options or immediate online purchase
Performance breakdown
Noise Floor
Ultra-low noise floor reveals micro-details often lost in vinyl playback.
Channel Precision
High-tolerance resistors ensure a perfectly balanced and stable stereo image.
RIAA Accuracy
Rigorous quality control guarantees a flat, faithful frequency response curve.
Cartridge Versatility
Seamlessly handles both MM and MC cartridges for diverse system setups.
Signal Purity
Pure analog circuitry avoids digital artifacts for a natural, uncolored sound.
Gain Efficiency
Robust gain stages provide ample headroom for demanding moving coil cartridges.
Key Specs
MC Input sensitivity
250 µV rms @ 1 kHz
MC Gain
65 dB @ 1 kHz
MC Rated output
1.8 V rms
MC THD
< 0.0002% @ 1 kHz
MC S/N ratio
82 dBA
MM Input sensitivity
2.5 mV rms @ 1 kHz
MM Gain
45 dB @ 1 kHz
MM S/N ratio
98 dBA
Know before you buy
Yes, the Pyxi is designed to handle both cartridge types. It provides 45 dB of gain for Moving Magnet (MM) and 65 dB of gain for Moving Coil (MC) cartridges.
No, the Pyxi features an all-analog implementation. It relies on linear power supply regulators and avoids digital processing to maintain a pure, uncolored signal path.
The unit uses high-precision 1% resistors throughout the circuit, with even tighter 0.1% tolerance resistors in the critical gain and RIAA stages. This ensures precise channel matching and a balanced soundstage.
A lower noise floor allows the phonostage to resolve finer details in your vinyl records that might otherwise be masked by background hiss or electronic interference. It results in a cleaner, more transparent listening experience.
Yes, every Pyxi board undergoes rigorous quality control testing to ensure the RIAA curve is flat and adheres to strict tolerances, guaranteeing that your records are reproduced as intended.
The Pyxi is highly efficient, consuming less than 5 watts of power during active operation. It uses linear supply regulators to provide clean, stable power to the analog circuitry.
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