What Phono Pre-amplifier (Pt.1) - which of my seven would you choose?

Phono pre-amplifiers have a crucial job to do. They have to amplify the tiniest voltage to ensure that what we hear is as near as possible to what the pickup cartridge is putting out, and then apply an RIAA correction filter. But like studio microphone pre-amplifiers, they can also add distortion and colouration and (in the case of phono pre-amplifiers) even affect the soundstage. In addition, some offer additional features. In this video you can follow me on my journey to choosing a new phono pre-amplifier.
In Pt2. (   • What Phono Pre-amplifier (Pt 2.) - which o...  ) I play some sound samples through each of the phono pre-amplifiers for you to compare. You can also download the original 24bit recordings from our website (link below), and choose to do either a blind test or decide for to go for the open, named files.

Content links:
What Phono Pre-amplifier Pt. 2 (the sound clip comparisons):    • What Phono Pre-amplifier (Pt 2.) - which o...  
Phono pre-amplifier 24bit download sound sample files (OPEN/identified comparison):
https://shop.pearlacoustics.com/produ...
Phono pre-amplifier 24bit download sound sample files (BLIND comparison):
https://shop.pearlacoustics.com/produ...

Share with us your feedback - which phono pre-amplifier did you like best and why?
https://pearlacoustics.wufoo.com/form...

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
06:14 - Rega Aria
10:31 - Rega Aura
16:30 - Sugden PA-4
22:03 - RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) correction curve
24:06 - Luxman E250
30:25 - SPL Phonos
35:00 - Graham Slee Accession MC
40:49 - Fosi Audio Box X5
44:44 - Conclusion

Mentioned videos:
Ten iconic turntables:    • Part 1: Iconic turntables (which one makes...  
Rega P10 vs Rega NAIA:    • Rega P10 vs NAIA: From very good to great,...  

Music links:
Spotify Link to intro & outro music: ‘Philia’ taken from The Four Loves, by Stefan Meylaers:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2vaU6l...
Link to record company, where you can purchase the direct cut recording of ‘I’ve got you under my skin’ by Cole Porter, 1938, performed by Clare Teal & the Syd Lawrence Orchestra:
Chasing the Dragon Records: https://chasingthedragon.co.uk/

Equipment discussed in this video:
Playback:
Turntable: Rega NAIA with Aphelion 2 cartridge
Phono pre-amplifiers: Rega Aria, Rega Aura, Sugden PA-4, Luxman E250, SPL Phonos, Graham Slee Accession MC, Fosi Audio Box X5
Amplifier: PassLabs Int 25
Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG
Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance
Interconnects: Rega RCA Phono cables (as supplied with their Aura phono pre-amplifier)

Video recording
Sony FX30
Sound Recording:
Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated

About Pearl Acoustics:
Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: https://pearlacoustics.com/
Our loudspeakers: https://pearlacoustics.com/loudspeakers/
Email us: [email protected]
Social media links:   / pearlacoustics     / pearl.acoustics  

Disclosure: All comments and claims in this video are the opinion of the presenter and are given independently of any external company or organisation. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the presenter does not receive any payment, gifts or other incentives from any of the companies featured in this video.

All facts, figures, prices and technical specifications are quoted on a best-efforts basis for accuracy, no liability can be accepted for any errors therein.