Your cart is empty.
Your cart is empty.The Parasound Zphono-USB is a high-quality phono preamplifier engineered for optimum vinyl LP playback quality. The Zphono-USB has precise RIAA equalization and uses high quality parts to achieve extremely low levels of noise and distortion plus accurate frequency response. In the digital realm, the Parasound Zphono-USB has an A-D converter and USB output to make high quality digital recordings of your vinyl LP collection a snap. Its unique front panel USB gain control and USB clipping indicator enable you to optimize the USB record output level to achieve a superior signal-to-noise ratio with most PC or Mac phono recording software. Just select a loud music passage on the LP that you want to record. Turn up the USB Gain knob until the clipping indicator LED turns solid red. Then slowly turn the USB Gain knob down until the clipping indicator never lights up. If you have sophisticated recording software, the rear-panel RIAA defeat switch allows you to defeat the internal hardware-based RIAA equalization in favor of software-based digital RIAA equalization. Two separate power transformers for analog and digital circuits assure the cleanest response and lowest noise. The Parasound Zphono-USB has stereo input jacks for an MC or MM phonograph cartridge. A choice of MM-47 k ohm, MC-47 k ohm or MC-100 ohm enables you to select the ideal gain and impedance for your cartridge.
DougMac
2025-08-30 14:26:36
I have an extensive 78 record collection and I enjoy doing audio restorations using my computer and restoration software. I've used another USB preamp in the past, but always wanted this preamp. The lower price compelled me to buy it.It has some features my other preamp doesn't have. First, you can choose a setting for either a moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridge. I use both for my 78 restorations. It also has a switch so you can choose to send out the USB signal with the standard RIAA EQ curve, suitable for LPs, 45s and late edition 78s, or you can choose to output a signal with no EQ (flat) for acoustic and early electrical 78s and apply the correct EQ in software.The volume control for the USB output works great and I can easily optimize the signal sent to my computer. The sound quality is first rate, audibly better than me old preamp. There are also analog line outputs and inputs.The unit is solidly built with a robust power supply built in, which is much better than a wall wart used by some preamps.Even if you just want a great phono preamp between your turntable and receiver, this is a great choice. I think it performs as well as units costing much more!
Para Noid
2025-07-30 10:20:55
Analog AND digital output in a quiet, smooth TT preamp. I'm a budget lover of good sounding music. I've heard near $30,000 music rigs that I thought didn't sound leaps n bounds better than mine... not because my gear is so good; I just don't perceive the nuances they do ......or maybe I haven't ingested as much of the Stereophile Kool aid). Look, in no way am I trying to say this unit is as good as a Macintosh C8 or other $4000 preamp ?? Heck no. But it doesn't get more enjoyable or practical @ this price point . I can finally digitize my 300+ lp's onto a multi terabyte hard drive allowing me to keep bout 25% (out of sonic romanticism). Don't like it ?? Doesn't extract the nth degree of low end extravaganza, the syrupy warmth of caramel envelopment from the mid's, and the positively delectable caress of the high end apex from ur tweeters ??? Return the unit for refund. It's great 4 me, but admittedly, if U only buy gear that's positively reviewed w/ an A+ rating by Sonic Snobbery magazine, pass this up. Me, I'm as happy as a sow in excrement w/ this practical preamp.
J. Brown
2025-07-25 14:19:43
This is a great piece of equipment for cooling off your other electronic equipment. I had a tuner/receiver and a secondary amp in the same cabinet with no top or rear venting and this fixed my heat issues. I stuck the Parasound between my two devices to give them some room and allow heat to escape the top of the one devices while letting the other one "breathe" by not having it directly on top of my receiver and it works great. I'd say at least 10 degrees in difference. The fans pulls hot air in from the bottom and the exhaust is in the rear so it blows the heat from the rear of my cabinet toward the front. The power-on sensor via 12v cable (provided) and power-off delay are a great features. The Medium fan speed works great for me. The high speed is audible so if you can get by without it, then you will have a nearly silent device.Only thing is I wouldn't recommend for enclosed cabinets, this device requires good air circulation from at least on open area.The only other issue is that it's not the same width as most electronic components and does look a bit odd (like you are missing a piece) if you are particular with your equipment setup.
Gadget Freak
2025-04-19 14:28:57
Really great sounding phono preamp. I got it for its good reviews, great price point and because it included a low pass filter (to stop my speaker cones from shaking to bits) and mono switch (to fix those 60s recordings where everything was mixed extreme left or right! I don't know how it compares with more expensive preamps but in my system (Roksan Radius 5 + Hana EH + NAD + B&W 805S) it sounds just fine, thank you very much! Highly recommended!
B. Lightfoot
2025-02-01 15:09:13
This unit provides the versatility I need to enjoy and transfer my 78's, LP's, cassettes, Reel-to-Reel and video tape audio to the digital domain - all in one unit. It may only output CD-quality sound, so a "True Audiophile" might not be impressed, but for anyone who would love to hear and digitize their old analog recordings once again it is a dream come true! I have one output hooked up to my home theater system and the other to my computer. In addition, I can plug my headphones in directly so there is only the Parasound and my 'phones between my source and my ears. The result is remarkable. My daughter has started buying new-release vinyl because it puts anything she can download to shame. My source equipment is old, but is still worth a lot on the used market and beats anything you can buy today for under a grand in any format. Together with the Parasound Zphono with USB, it is making evenings a lot more enjoyable as we rediscover and share the greatest music of the last 100 years!
Recommended Products
$659.00
$ 99 .00 $99.00