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Double is better.

Balance Reference Phono

The balance reference phono has been consistently developed for discerning analogue gourmets. Two completely separate phono inputs enable the connection of moving coil and moving magnet cartridges – either balanced or via RCA.
Icons and features section

Weight

Preamplifier
Approx. 2.9 kg

Power supply
Approx. 2.2 kg

Dimensions

Preamplifier
Width: 240 mm
Depth: 145 mm
(158 mm depth with RCA)
Height: 78 mm

Power supply
Width: 240 mm
Depth: 145 mm
Height: 78 mm

Material/Colour

Aluminium in silver and black

Content

Flexibly adaptable

For different cartridges and electronic requirements, the balance reference phono offers numerous adjustment options. This allows it to be precisely tuned to various setups.

Two elegant, jet-black housing components of the clearaudio phono system (phono preamplifier and separate power supply) made of solid aluminium, placed side by side on a white, reflective surface.
Two elegant, jet-black housing components of the clearaudio phono system (phono preamplifier and separate power supply) made of solid aluminium, placed side by side on a white, reflective surface.
Interference-free power supply: clearaudio’s separate dual-mono power supply is housed in its own aluminium casing, milled from a solid block, to ensure the signal path is perfectly isolated.

Separate Dual Mono Power Supply

The dual mono power supply is housed separately in a solid machined aluminium enclosure. This keeps the power supply consistently separated from the actual signal path.

A silver version of the two clearaudio audio components, featuring a central control panel and connections on the front panel, with a slim, minimalist metal remote control set against a white background positioned in front of them.
A silver version of the two clearaudio audio components, featuring a central control panel and connections on the front panel, with a slim, minimalist metal remote control set against a white background positioned in front of them.
Flexible and convenient operation: Volume and inputs can be controlled either directly on the front panel of the clearaudio components or conveniently using the metal remote control supplied.

Conveniently operable

Volume and inputs can be controlled directly on the unit, or conveniently via the supplied remote control if desired. Two high-end headphone outputs round off the features.

Intro

World class for analogue gourmets.

Content

With its consistently balanced construction, flexible adjustment and separate power supply, the balance reference phono represents phono performance at world-class level.

Intro

Close-ups

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Intro

Specifications

MODE:
  • MM / MC switchable (on underside)
  • Subsonic filter switchable @20 Hz (-18 dB / Oct) (on underside)
  • Stereo / Mono switchable
GAIN AT 1kHz: + 46 dB (MM operation)
+ 66 dB (MC operation)
INPUT IMPEDANCE:
  • 50 kΩ / 50 pF (MM operation and MC operation)
  • +150 pF, +270 pF, +400 pF (MM operation)
  • 10 kΩ, 5kΩ, 1000 Ω, 500 Ω, 100 Ω, 50 Ω (MC operation)
RIAA ACCURACY:

± 0.1 dB @ 20 Hz -100 kHz
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION:

< 0.001 % (IEC A)
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO: – 89 dB @ 5 mV / MM operation (IEC A)
– 79 dB @ 500 uV / MC operation (IEC A)
OVERLOAD MARGIN:

> + 21 dB @ 1 kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT VOLTAGE: > 12 V
CUTTING CHARACTERISTIC EQUALISATION:

75 μs / 318 μs / 3180μs, 2 passive filters
CHANNEL SEPARATION: > 95 dB @ 1 kHz (IEC A)
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE:
  • 150 Ω (balanced XLR)
  • 75 Ω (unbalanced RCA)
INPUTS:
  • unbalanced (RCA)
  • balanced (XLR)
OUTPUTS:
  • unbalanced (RCA)
  • balanced (XLR)
  • Headphone output (2 × 6.3 mm jack)
POWER CONSUMPTION:
  • Max. power consumption in operation: 12 watts
  • Standby mode: < 0.5 watts
  • Switched off: 0 watts (set toggle switch on rear panel to “0”)
POWER SUPPLY: 2x ± 18 V DC
(external power supply 2 × ± 21 V DC), 1.4 m cable length
WEIGHT PREAMPLIFIER: approx. 2.9 kg
WEIGHT POWER SUPPLY: approx. 2.2 kg
DIMENSIONS PREAMPLIFIER (W/D/H): approx. 240 × 145 × 78 mm
(158 mm depth with RCA)
DIMENSIONS POWER SUPPLY (W/D/H): approx. 240 × 145 × 78 mm
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY:

3 years*
* Upon return of the completed warranty card to clearaudio within 14 days of purchase.

Download

English / German
Upload date 09/2025

Download

English / German / French
Upload date 09/2025

FAIRAUDIO – Two is Better Than One

German
Upload date 03/2023

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