Argon Audio Phono1 – Compact MM Phono Preamp

The Argon Audio Phono1 connects a turntable to an amplifier or active speakers that have no phono input. It is a small RIAA stage for moving magnet cartridges, built with audiophile-grade parts inside a solid, well-shielded metal case, with gold-plated RCA terminals and a ground post.

Key Features

• MM RIAA phono stage: Works with any turntable fitted with a standard moving magnet cartridge.
• 40 dB gain at 1 kHz: Brings the cartridge signal up to line level for any amp input.
• Shielded metal chassis: Keeps hum, noise and vibration away from the delicate phono signal.
• Gold-plated RCA terminals: Input, output and a dedicated ground post for the tonearm lead.
• Nothing to switch on: Draws just 0.4 W, so it can stay hidden behind the furniture.

Customer Benefits

A turntable's cartridge produces a tiny, equalised signal, and without a phono stage it plays quietly and thin. Phono1 puts that right in one small box: plug the turntable in, run a pair of RCA cables to the amp's line or AUX input, connect the ground wire and you are done. Many built-in turntable preamps are an afterthought, so it is also a sensible upgrade path when you want to bypass one.

Quick Specs

• Type: MM phono preamplifier (RIAA)
• Cartridge type: Moving magnet (MM)
• Gain: 40 dB at 1 kHz
• Input: Analogue RCA (phono), ground terminal
• Output: Stereo line out, analogue RCA
• Terminals: Gold-plated
• Chassis: Metal
• Power consumption: 0.4 W, external power supply
• Dimensions: 10 × 3 × 6 cm
• Weight: 0.37 kg

In the Box

• Argon Audio Phono1 phono preamp
• Power supply

Use Cases / Ideal For

Turntables without a built-in preamp. Amplifiers and active speakers that have only line inputs. Upgrading from a basic built-in phono stage.

Compatibility

Pairs with any turntable using an MM cartridge and any amplifier, receiver or active speaker with an RCA line input.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Tiny and easy to hide
• Solid metal case with good shielding
• Gold-plated terminals and a proper ground post
• Very low power draw, no switch to forget

⚠️ Cons:

• MM cartridges only; no moving coil (MC) support
• No adjustable gain or loading
• No USB output for digitising records

If your turntable sounds faint through the amp, the Argon Audio Phono1 is the missing piece.