Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Exceptional signal purity is a key strength
- Outstanding build quality with a robust 5mm aluminum chassis and glass-blasting anodizing finish
- Premium ALPS potentiometer (Blue Velvet ALPS Audio Grade) allows for precise volume control
- It maintains micro and macro details
- It handles dynamic shifts with remarkable grace
- It offers zero coloration to the sound
- Versatile input options (3x line stereo RCA inputs)
- Offers flexible ground settings (3-position ground switch)
Product Considerations
- Premium price point
- Limited to 3 inputs, though sufficient for most setups
- May be too purist for those seeking tonal manipulation
Takeaway: The Lab 12 TRUE Input Selector is a high-quality passive preamplifier that provides exceptional signal purity and preserves the authentic character of music sources. It's a standout choice for serious audiophiles seeking to experience the true essence of their music collection.
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Manufacturer details
- Input impedance: 50 kohm
- Output impedance: Variable
- Inputs: 3x line stereo RCA connectors
- Output: 1x line stereo RCA connectors
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 32x11x29 cm
- Weight: 3.5 Kg
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Lab 12 emphasizes a "fine symmetry design," which focuses on technical symmetry and parts matching between the two channels, leading to sharper image focus and superior transparency.
- The brand's designs are focused on optimizing the listening experience, prioritizing a natural and involving sound that avoids analytical or clinical qualities.
- Lab 12 uses a "separate rails, separate grounds" (SRSG) technology to keep high current circuits independent from signal circuits to minimize noise and maintain signal purity.
- They implement fully tube-based designs in many products while keeping the build quality high and the pricing relatively accessible within the high-end audio market.
Select products
SUONO MK2 – TOROID VERSION
- Positioning: A compact tube amplifier designed for smaller spaces and budget-minded buyers.
- Description: Features a low-noise toroidal transformer with bias adjustment directly on the top cover, ensuring a focused, intimate listening experience. Compared to higher-powered models like Suara and Integre4, it offers lower wattage and simplicity for those seeking warmth and ease of use in a modest room.
SUARA MK2 – TOROID VERSION
- Positioning: A mid-level, pure Class A power amplifier delivering robust performance.
- Description: Uses a true dual mono design with heavy toroidal transformers and selectable Triode/Ultra Linear modes for flexible tube rolling. In contrast to SUONO's modest output and Integre4's integrated functionality, it provides higher power for larger rooms while focusing exclusively on pure amplification.
INTEGRE4 MK2 – TOROID VERSION
- Positioning: A high-end integrated tube amplifier featuring advanced control and performance.
- Description: Offers independent dual mono channels with dedicated toroidal transformers and an innovative built-in bias system featuring an OLED display for instant tube rolling adjustments. When compared to SUONO and Suara, it delivers elevated wattage and superior control.
MIGHTY
- Positioning: A premium Class A, single-ended power amplifier aimed at delivering immersive, detailed sound.
- Description: Uses meticulously selected audiophile grade components and a pure Class A design that minimizes noise and distortion for fatigue-free listening. Compared to integrated solutions like Integre4 and passive units like True, it emphasizes dedicated power amplification for users prioritizing top-tier sonic purity and compatibility with a range of preamplifiers.
TRUE
- Positioning: A flagship passive preamplifier and input selector engineered for uncompromised signal delivery.
- Description: Features multiple inputs with ultra-transparent volume control, preserving the original signal without adding its own coloration. Unlike active amplifiers such as Integre4, Suara, or Mighty, its passive design focuses on pure, unaltered sound and minimal intervention in the audio chain.
Our take on the brand
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Our interview with the brand
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional tube-based sound quality, delivering warmth and harmonic richness
- Versatile MM/MC compatibility, supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges
- Comprehensive impedance and capacitance adjustment for optimal settings with specific cartridges
- Premium build quality with a 5mm aluminum face panel
- No-feedback design for superior clarity in sound presentation
Product Considerations
- Requires occasional tube replacement
- May need warm-up time for optimal performance
Takeaway: The Lab 12 Melto 1 Phono Preamplifier combines traditional tube technology with modern engineering, creating a high-quality phono stage for vinyl enthusiasts. It offers great flexibility and clarity in sound reproduction, enhancing the vinyl listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
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.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Offers a versatile range of adjustments, including nine input impedance choices and four gain options, to match various cartridges
- Offers three different equalization curves (RIAA, Decca London, and American Columbia), unusual for phono stages in its price range
- Produces a clean, smooth, lucid, and well-balanced sound that is uncolored and neutral, allowing for greater transparency and speed
- Musical, smooth, coherent and dynamic, with a very good pace, rhythm, and timing
- Touchscreen interface is easy and intuitive to use
Product Considerations
- Moving magnet capacitance is set at 220pF and is not adjustable
- Some reviewers express concern about potential RF interference from the digital display affecting the analog circuitry, particularly with sensitive MC cartridges
- Instrumental images may be smaller than with other phono stages
- May sound a little weightless compared to significantly more expensive phono preamps
- Reviewers note the forthcoming PSU-5 power supply
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to a similarly priced phono stage, the Gold Note PH-5 provided greater insights into how Miles Davis played each note, and was more full-bodied and dynamic
- The Pathos In the Groove was more spacious and shapely sounding but lacked the PH-5's sense of control and smoothness
- Compared to the Gold Note PH-10, there's a remarkably similar sound, with a tad more weight to recordings played through the more expensive PH-10
- The PH-5 sounds closer to the GrandiNote Celio MK IV—a bit richer, smoother, and more saturated—whereas the ESE Lab Nibiru is more about speed, precision, and transparency
Takeaway: The Gold Note PH-5 is a versatile phono stage that sounds musical and natural. It provides many options to adjust the sound, and it is an affordable way to get great performance from vinyl records.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Straightforward, high-quality preamp that does everything asked of it, very well
- Includes tone control knobs for bass and treble to personalize the listening experience
- Allows turntable users to switch between moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) modes
- Features seven source audio inputs, a front-panel 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.1, optical and USB inputs, as well as a phono stage for turntables
Product Considerations
- Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, while present, is not super high resolution compared with Wi-Fi and may not appeal to those seeking a more robust streaming experience
- Has no balanced inputs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Against Rotel's RC-1572 MKII, the Adcom GFP-915 wins in many audiophile categories, such as a lower reported total harmonic distortion and noise floor
- The Schiit Freya S stereo preamp at $599 is another solid, no-frills audiophile option that can compare to the Adcom GFP-915
- The NAD C 3050 integrated amp's HDMI switching, internal DAC, Bluetooth 5.4 and phono stage might sway one to spend a few hundred more dollars than the Adcom
Takeaway: The Adcom GFP-915 is a traditional stereo preamp that delivers quality performance and offers a range of useful features for audiophiles. It is a worthwhile option for those seeking a simple and effective way to manage audio sources and volume control.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Features a fully discreet headphone amplifier built-in that sounds good
- Offers flexibility with passive, low gain, and high gain settings, not commonly found at its price point
- Build quality feels good, with a nice textured black finish
- Features a precise 128-step attenuator for accurate left-right balance, unusual for a $699 preamplifier
- Features a metal remote with volume, mute, and input selection
Product Considerations
- One reviewer experienced the Kara going into protection mode and muting the sound when adjusting the volume quickly—requiring a power cycle to resolve
- One reviewer said they prefer the RCA input and output sound
- XLR inputs for stereo mode are not available
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Schiit Freya S: It replaces the Freya S and has significant upgrades, including a headphone jack and a more powerful power transformer
- Vs Pass Labs HPA1: The Pass Labs is a better-sounding pre-amplifier and headphone amplifier overall, but is significantly more expensive
Takeaway: The Kara preamplifier offers great flexibility with gain options and a good-sounding headphone amplifier. It's a well-built component that could be a good addition to an audio setup, especially if clarity is valued.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Balanced connections improve sound, though stellar audio is available via RCA inputs
- Tighter and continuous control over load impedance via a potentiometer control
- Discrete circuit design offers a more neutral sound than integrated circuits
- Two turntables can be connected at once, one with XLRs and one with RCAs
- Expanded soundstage and individual instrument placement both horizontally and vertically
Product Considerations
- Turntable with XLR outputs needed to experience its best features
- More expensive if balanced connection features are not being used
- Tube box will push coloration into the mix, so tubes need careful system matching
- Balanced outputs and moving coil cartridge are needed to reveal the sort of detail that vinyl aficionados champion
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs NAD Phono Preamp PP-1: Allows for markedly more detail and separation between instruments
- Vs Phono Box S3 B: Integrates all the technology from the SB3 and adds in a few extra features, as well as a potentiometer
- Vs Projects Tubebox DS3: The sound is far more clear, and the weighted treble and upper spectrum sound more pronounced
Takeaway: The Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B unlocks the potential of a turntable, enhancing the listening experience with more dynamics, details, and soundstage. It's a versatile phono preamp with remarkably neutral and detailed sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Offers much of what conrad-johnson learned with the GAT preamplifier, providing high performance at a lower budget
- The ET3SE's phonostage is essentially the TEA-2SE, offering great phono performance
- Strikes a perfect balance with a hybrid design, being extremely quiet and providing healthy tonal contrast, yet powerful and controlled
- Makes music collection come alive, especially after an hour or two to fully warm up
- Offers great sound, top build quality, and immense flexibility
Product Considerations
- The SE model with Teflon capacitors takes around 500 hours to sound its best
- Has only a single-ended design, complete with RCA jacks for inputs and outputs
- Only has one pair of main outputs, a second pair would be nice for those who use a powered subwoofer
- Remote is a stripped-down plastic model compared to billet aluminum remotes of higher-end conrad-johnson preamplifiers
- The non-SE versions have a somewhat warmer tonal balance with less extension at the frequency extremes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The ET3SE offers about a quart and a half of the GAT's sound for less than a quarter of the price
- Given that the TEA2SE outboard phonostage is $4,000, the ET3SE's level of phono performance is amazing
Takeaway: The ET3SE is a great choice if you want high-end sound at a more affordable price. It is built well, sounds fantastic, and gives you a lot of flexibility for enjoying your favorite music.
Video review
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