Product Strengths

• Ultra-low noise with remarkably quiet backgrounds and effortless transparency
• Delivers Al Harewood's delicate brush work with an outstanding balance of brush "edge" and "swish"
• Clear and distinct sound, with a soundstage that is tall, wide, and deep
• Natural and matter-of-fact nature, one that doesn't feel processed or constrained in any particular way
• The V10 is a highly musical phonostage that resolves fine details, honors tonal colors, and allows the dynamic life in music to breathe at levels that belie the unit's modest price

Product Considerations

• Adjustments to capacitance, gain, and impedance are accomplished by means of a bank of DIP switches on the rear panel, which can be a bit confusing
• The instruction manual states it's possible to set impedance "freely between 50 and 550 ohms" and add 6 addition dB of gain, but to do so contact your Hegel dealer for more information
• Not as versatile as the PS Audio Stellar
• The V10 does not try to mask physical imperfections on the record

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Simaudio MOON by Simaudio 610LP—the Hegel V10 performs so well in comparison to the much more expensive 610LP as to be encouraging
• Vs Aurorasound VIDA Prima—the Hegel V10 seemed to pull out more detail than the VIDA Prima
• Vs Aqvox Phono 2 Ci—V10 allows one to easily explore the musicians' context and intent better
• Vs Rega Aria 3—the V10 betters it by quite a way, showing how the Hegel has a more incisive and detailed nature

Takeaway: The Hegel V10 is a great sounding, well-made phono stage that produces the 3D, of both the music and the space behind it, while honoring the purity and simplicity of the recording. It has connectivity and configurability as well.

Product Strengths

• Comprehensive spec sheet
• Versatile phono stage with balanced outputs offers greater levels of gain
• Depth, detail, and an analogue character
• Flexible and capable
• Extracts the very best from any cartridge
• The casework feels solid and beautifully finished

Product Considerations

• Adjusting capacitance and loading via hidden dip switches under two small covers for left and right channels is a little trickier than the previous model's dial adjusters
• DIP switches are fiddly to use
• Busiest and brightest recordings can appear just a little sanitised

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The R35 offers a thorough update of its feature set, making it—on paper at least—one of the most versatile phono stages on the market today
• The R35 ups the ante by some margin, despite looking deceptively identical to the retired R32 front on
• Compared to the Hegel V10, the R35 is more playful dynamically with fatter bass, there is more depth in the soundscape, and a slightly larger range of timbres

Takeaway: The R35 is a versatile phono stage that can extract the best from any cartridge and has a comprehensive spec sheet. It offers depth, detail, and an analogue character that underlines vinyl's enduring appeal.

Product Strengths

• Crisp, clean, and spacious tone, which is fun to listen to, tonally neutral, and detailed
• Good and solid build quality

Product Considerations

• Substandard interface, with tiny buttons and labels, can be difficult to use
• In single-ended mode, the sound presentation can have slightly edgy mids
• Smaller interface font than the M6 makes the values slightly harder to read
• Size and weight might require sturdy shelf support

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• M6x has an appreciable reduction in its noise floor and improved dynamic range compared to M6 Vinyl
• M6x has a slightly well-lit upper midband and a drier and leaner bass compared to ModWright PH 9.0 tube phono stage
• M6x Vinyl is a clear step up, having a crisp, clean, and spacious tone compared to Rega Aria Mk3

Takeaway: The M6x is a versatile phono stage that offers balanced connections, multiple inputs and solid build quality. It is sonically neutral and lets records speak for themselves.

Product Strengths

• Excellent streaming capabilities with support for AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, and Bluetooth
• Versatile functionality as a streamer, DAC, and preamplifier
• The Prisma app is easy to use and allows for customization of settings and access to streaming services
• Good sound quality with a fresh, energetic, dynamic, and well-timed presentation using either digital or analogue sources
• Offers multi-room functionality, digital EQ, and room correction

Product Considerations

• The built-in DAC may not be as good as separate—higher-end DACs
• Sound quality using Chromecast and AirPlay may not be as good as using a direct USB connection
• The USB drive playback interface in the Prisma app may have issues with track ordering

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Primare SC15 Prisma Mk2 has more inputs, better build quality, and Chromecast than the Bluesound Node 2i, while the Node 2i is Roon Ready and has more polished software (BluOS)

Takeaway: The Primare SC15 Prisma Mk2 is a well-rounded device that combines streaming, DAC, and preamp functionalities into a single, stylish unit that provides a wide range of inputs and a good overall sound experience. It's a great option for those looking to simplify their setup without sacrificing features or sound quality.

Product Strengths

• Delivers a refined, insightful, and entertaining sound
• Has a good spread of cartridge loading adjustments, from resistance and capacitance to gain, and so should match most cartridges properly
• Possesses alert boldness, commanding clarity, and attention-grabbing dynamics
• Offers fine low-level detail with micro-dynamic shading, drawing the listener into well-recorded orchestral and jazz vocal recordings
• The aluminium casework is solid and finished with care, and feels worth the money
• Connectivity options

Product Considerations

• Clarity may be a shade or two drier than some other phono preamps
• Surrounded by similar solid-state components may close-in the sound, not free it and add bloom as did tube gear
• Class leaders show a little more in terms of speed, dynamic punch and low frequency agility
• The PSU can cause noise if placed too close to the main unit

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• It plays more cleanly and crisply overall, and images far more distinctly, with better focus and clarity, compared to the Tavish Design Adagio—Tavish plays with a larger stage, more blustery atmospherics, deeper yet looser bass, and a certain swagger
• Cyrus shows a little more in terms of speed, dynamic punch and low frequency agility, but it counters with greater authority, a more organic way with vocals and the ability to convey large-scale dynamic shifts with more vigour

Takeaway: The Pathos In The Groove is a fine and flexible phono stage with great sound and build quality, offering many adjustments to match most cartridges. It's a solid performer that provides a highly detailed and well-sorted soundstage for an immersive listening experience.