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. At Soundium it is the straightforward fix for a turntable without a built-in preamp.

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. Order it from Soundium with the RCA cables you need and have records playing properly the same evening.