Rega Fono Mini A2D
£90
Our verdict when first we heard the extraordinary Fono Mini A2D, back in 2012, was that it would be a tough product to better for its sub-£100 price tag, and the ensuing years seem to have proved us right.
Rega describes this moving-magnet phono stage as a cost-effective version of the Award-winning Fono MM, and aesthetically it’s about as unassuming as they come. A no-frills aluminium black box, its details are restricted to RCA ins
and outs, an earthing plug, USB output, level control for ripping and an LED to indicate it’s powered up.
The company also makes ripping your vinyl easy by making the Fono Mini A2D compatible with any digital audio editor, rather than restricting its operation to self-designed sofware. An old friend
But if the Fono Mini A2D’S appearance is basic, its sonic talents are anything but. We open with Radiohead’s In Rainbows, and within seconds of 15 Step’s pulsating rhythmic introduction we feel as if we are being welcomed back into the arms of an old friend.
Timing has always been one of the Fono Mini A2D’S defining talents, delivering tracks with zest and enthusiasm without skipping a beat, and this latest revisiting only proves it is yet to be bettered by its rivals.
It’s that musicality that really sets these Rega products apart, and it’s a whole lot to do with dynamics.
From differentiating the strands in polyrhythms, to eking out the emotion in more reflective numbers, this phono stage just appears to understand the music it’s feeding through. There’s no overt colouration going on here, and that’s conducive to a great recording of your vinyl to digital.
While its USB connection is a selling point, we think the highest praise we can give Rega here is that the Fono Mini A2D is a class-leading phono stage, even before you consider its extra features.
Whether you want to digitise your vinyl or are seeking a great phono stage under a ton, look this way.