Vertere Phono-1 MkII L Review: Premium Phono Preamp Powerhouse

Experience the refined sound and engineering of the Vertere Phono-1 MkII L, a premium phono preamp delivering unmatched audio clarity and dynamic expression.

Welcome to the World of Vertere Phono-1 MkII L

If you’re a vinyl lover like me, you know the thrill of uncovering a phono preamp that truly elevates your turntable’s performance. The Vertere Phono-1 MkII L is exactly that gem. When I first tried the original Phono-1, it blew me away with its transparency and musical engagement. The MkII version followed up with five-star acclaim and a slew of awards, and now the MkII L arrives, refining what was already a powerhouse without reinventing the wheel.

Design and Engineering: Less Change, More Precision

The Vertere Phono-1 MkII L presents a sleek, understated exterior that hides its engineering prowess.

Looking at the Phono-1 MkII L, you might think it’s nearly identical to the MkII model that earned all those accolades in 2021. The only obvious external difference is a bright orange LED power indicator—small but classy. And really, why fix what’s not broken? The minimalist, sturdy box has always been a hallmark of Vertere’s design philosophy.

What’s truly impressive is the absence of flashy new components or radical circuit redesigns. Instead, Vertere rolled up their sleeves to optimize the internal layout—think of it as a meticulous “spring cleaning” of the circuitry. Components were rearranged to reduce unwanted interference, and signal paths were refined to shave off distortion.

Even the power supply got a thoughtful upgrade by moving the linear source onto the main circuit board. This change improved the routing of connection tracks and enhanced the grounding layer’s effectiveness. The signal tracks all match in length now, with careful tweaks to lower impedance and tailor track widths for better current flow.

Specs That Impress

Here’s a quick rundown of what the Phono-1 MkII L brings to the table:

• Type: Phono Preamp
• Support: Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC)
• Gain Range: 40.2 – 60.8 dB
• Cartridge Load Adjustment: Yes
• Dimensions: 2.2" (H) x 8.3" (W) x 9.3" (D)

The unit sports familiar unbalanced RCA stereo inputs and outputs, plus a choice of three grounding options—perfect for banishing the dreaded hum that can haunt vinyl setups. Compared to earlier Phono-1 versions, the load adjustments on the bottom panel are now much clearer and easier to navigate.

DIP switches let you customize gain across a wide spectrum, loading resistance, and capacitance. This means the Phono-1 MkII L can buddy up with practically any cartridge out there, except perhaps some of those wild, ultra-low output beasts vinyl nerds obsess over.

One thing to note is the price jump—now sitting around $1,895 USD, roughly a 33% increase from the original’s launch price. Blame the global economy for that, not Vertere’s ambition.

Sound That Breathes Life Into Vinyl

For this review, I paired the Phono-1 MkII L with my trusty Technics SL-1000R turntable, swapping out cartridges like the MC Kiseki Purpleheart and two MM options: Vertere’s own Sabre and the trusty Goldring 2500. The rest of my reference system included a Burmester 088/911 Mk3 amplifier and ATC SCM50 speakers.

I’m happy to report the Phono-1 MkII L preserves the character of its predecessor—that irresistible musicality that made the original so engaging. But it also steps things up a notch with a wider dynamic range, improved clarity, and sharper detail retrieval. Background hiss and hum remain whisper-quiet, giving the music room to breathe.

Pulling out Paul Simon’s Graceland for a spin, I was struck by how lively and vibrant the MkII L made the album sound. The infectious energy of "You Can Call Me Al" practically jumps out, and the preamp masterfully teases out subtle textures while keeping everything coherent. Simon’s signature sweet vocals now feel even clearer and more captivating, packed with nuance and charm. This version draws a cleaner, more precise soundscape than the older Phono-1 could muster.

Tonally, the balance is pristine—no frequency range hogging the spotlight. The highs sparkle with clarity, yet never lose their smooth sophistication. The soundstage is impressively well-defined, holding steady even during complex, demanding passages like those in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

I love how the Phono-1 MkII L captures the seismic dynamic shifts of such grand pieces with enthusiasm and poise. After all the listening, one thing’s clear: this preamp makes playing music an engaging and even joyous experience. What more could a Hi-Fi fanatic ask for?

Final Thoughts: To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade?

If you already own an earlier Phono-1, there’s no need to rush out and swap it for the MkII L. The previous model remains superb. However, if you’re in the market for a new high-end phono preamp, the MkII L is a fantastic choice that shines when paired with the right system and source.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build Quality: 4/5
• Features: 5/5

The Phono-1 MkII L makes listening to music interesting and fun, which is exactly what you want from a Hi-Fi component.

FAQ

• What cartridge types does the Vertere Phono-1 MkII L support?
  It supports both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges, making it versatile for most vinyl setups.
• How adjustable is the gain on the Phono-1 MkII L?
  Gain can be finely tuned from 40.2 dB up to 60.8 dB using DIP switches, allowing optimization for different cartridges.
• Is the Phono-1 MkII L suitable for all cartridge loads?
  Yes, it features adjustable resistance and capacitance loads, accommodating nearly any cartridge except some extremely low output exotic types.
• Has the design changed much from previous versions?
  Externally, not much—only a new orange LED indicator. Internally, the layout and signal paths have been improved for better performance.
• Does the price increase reflect major innovations?
  The price is higher due to refined engineering and global economic factors rather than groundbreaking new tech.

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