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Product: Argon Audio Phono1 - MM phono preamp
Manufacturer: Argon Audio - Denmark
Approx. price: ±€100
Reviewer: Lucio Cadeddu - TNT-Audio Italy
Reviewed: September, 2025

Foreword

This isn't the first time we review Argon Audio products, components which are almost always characterized by a remarkable quality/price ratio. Their speakers and electronics line have recently been joined by a line of components for vinyl lovers, including several turntables and this Phono1 phono preamp, which I received for review.

A closer look

The Phono1 is a fairly basic phono preamp, with good quality components, paired with a classic Texas Instruments/Burr Brown OP1662 operational amplifier. It's powered by a 12-volt external 0.2A switching power supply. The construction is sturdy, all metal, with gold-plated RCA input and output connectors. There's neither a power switch nor an LED to indicate when it's on. I consider this a significant fault. The technical specifications only mention a gain of 40dB, with no indication of the type of load the cartridge will face. The dimensions are minimal, just 10 x 3 x 6 cm, and it weighs just under 300 grams, a factor certainly contributed by the fairly thick metal cabinet. The claimed power consumption is 0.4W.

Teeny-weeny phono preamp

The Argon Audio Phono1 is an entry-level phono preamp, so comparisons were made with similarly priced products, specifically the Real Cable LP50, my reference in this price range, and the more affordable Behringer PP400 and several of its Chinese clones (coming soon here at TNT-Audio). To prevent the rest of the system from influencing the results, all components were placed after a high-end analogue set-up that would never realistically be connected to these entry-level phono preamps.

The Argon Phono1 is a basic component (MM phono only, no load adjustment) that will typically give voice to entry-level turntables and cartridges, like its stable-mates. It's therefore pointless to expect stellar performance or to guess the true potential of vinyl when played with components of this type. However, the little Phono1 does its job: it's quiet, has good gain (claimed at +40dB), and sounds balanced, without doing anything particularly wrong. To put it bluntly, a comparison with the cheaper Behringer PP400 (and its clones) is simply unrealistic: the Phono1 wins hands down on every level, and by no small margin.

What's surprising at first, casual listening is the depth and power of the bass range, unexpected for such an affordable component. There's good articulation, paired with excellent punch and control. The overall tonal balance appears just a little dark and soft in the highs - just enough to convince (inexperienced) vinyl lovers that what they're hearing is true analogue sound. It's not that it misses any relevant detail, but insight and brightness aren't its strongest assets. It's definitely better in the midrange, with vocals and string instruments sufficiently clear and focused. Occasionally, with very complex musical programmes, some hints of compression and fatigue emerge, especially in the mid-high range, while the bass and mid-bass continue to do their job without running out of steam.

Dynamics, especially in the low and midrange, are very good for the price range, at least as long as the demands of the music programme aren't too overwhelming. A quick comparison with the Real Cable LP50 highlights some of the Phono1's shortcomings: the Real Cable sounds clearer, more open, and more defined in the mid-high range, with more convincing dynamics and, above all, a less congested and more airy sound. For these reasons, the resulting 3D image also appears wider and more focused, while the Phono1 merely maintains the right proportions, but gives the sound-stage less width, depth, and focus than the LP50. Let's just say its sound appears a bit more compact.

The only area where the little Argon seems to hold its own, and in some cases surpass its competitor, is in the bass range, which seems to go a little bit deeper and with more power. The control on electric bass and double bass notes, however, is in favour of the Real Cable LP50.

At first glance, the two phono preamps don't seem to sound different. In fact, the fundamentals are all there in both cases. It's just that as you listen further, you gradually realize that the Real Cable's sound is more alive, breathes more, and is overall tighter and more controlled. Less analogue, in the worst sense of the word? Perhaps, but I prefer a more realistic sound to an artificially rounded and woolly one.

In conclusion, it must be said that even if the Real Cable LP50 costs perhaps €10-€20 more, it's better made and is even compatible with MC cartridges (+60 dB gain). Not only, it just sounds better overall. There is a difference in gain between the two (34dB for the Real Cable, 40dB for the Argon), but it's undetectable when listening. According to the claimed data, the Argon should sound significantly louder - depending on the volume knob on the line preamp or the integrated amp - but in reality, this isn't the case. Not that it has any relevance for listening or use, but I think the advertised 40dB datum is fairly optimistic.

If I were in the market for a phono preamp around €100, I would have no hesitation in choosing the Real Cable LP50, unless I had installation issues. Indeed, one of the advantages of the Argon Phono1 is that it is truly tiny (10 x 3 x 6 cm) and can be hidden extremely easily, even under a turntable. The Real Cable LP50 is significantly larger and hard to hide somewhere.

Comments & Complaints

1. Minimalist in design, it only has what's needed for an MM cartridge. There's no way to connect MC cartridges, which, given the price, would probably be out of place anyway.
2. Being a very compact device, room for rear connections is limited: certain bulky connectors could be a serious problem.
3. Lacking both a power switch and a power LED, there's a risk of forgetting to leave it on. Power consumption is low (0.4W), but in these days of green electronics, a small switch or at least an LED would have been welcome.
4. Sound-wise, I find the mid-high range a bit muddy, lacking detail and crispness. Overall, the sound seems a bit small, though it's supported by a notable low end.

Conclusions

An honest phono preamp that sounds credible and tonally balanced. The excellent bass range is offset by a mid-high range that could be improved. It's certainly a significant improvement over cheaper phono preamps (e.g., the Behringer PP400), so I think it's a good choice when paired with entry-level analogue front-ends. I don't think it's a sensible upgrade for any decent phono stage integrated into an amplifier, but if your turntable or amplifier doesn't have one, then the Phono1 would be a good choice. If your budget allows, and for just €20 more, it's better to opt for the Real Cable LP50, which, after a few years, continues to offer an excellent quality/price ratio.

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© Copyright 2025 Lucio Cadeddu - editor@tnt-audio.com - www.tnt-audio.com

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