Phonostages — Clearaudio ABSOLUTE PHONO

The ABSOLUTE PHONO is a flagship phono preamplifier from Clearaudio, built with a genuinely substantial two-chassis design separating the phono circuitry from a dedicated power supply, and an extraordinarily high input impedance. The ABSOLUTE PHONO brings Clearaudio's most accomplished current engineering to serious phono amplification.

Key specs that matter

MM/MC voltage input impedance is an extraordinarily high 500,000 ohms - a genuinely remarkable figure providing exceptional flexibility for cartridge loading. Output impedance is 64 ohms via XLR or 32 ohms via RCA. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is an exceptionally low under-0.001%. Both the phono unit and its separate power supply measure 240 x 160 x 65mm, weighing 3.25kg (phono) plus 3.20kg (power supply), reflecting Clearaudio's uncompromising approach to isolating sensitive phono circuitry from power-supply-related noise.

Sound and use context

Expect exceptionally clean, accurate RIAA equalisation reflecting the remarkable sub-0.001% distortion figure, combined with the extraordinarily high 500,000-ohm input impedance and the genuine advantage of a physically separate power supply.

Pairing

The extraordinarily high input impedance provides genuine flexibility for a wide variety of cartridge loading requirements, though buyers should confirm exact loading adjustment options directly with Clearaudio.

Alternatives

Clearaudio's own SMART PHONO V2 offers a considerably more compact single-chassis alternative within the same broader phono-stage catalogue. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this phono stage. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision, particularly for a component that will anchor a broader system investment. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Ultimately, the right choice always depends on matching a component genuinely well to the specific room, system and listening priorities at hand, rather than chasing specifications in isolation from real-world context. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information.