I chose this phono preamp because (1) my prior experience with ELAC components has been very positive, (2) the preamp permits easy switching between two turntables (or one turntable with two mounted arms) with the push of a button, and (3) the preamp is configurable for cartridges with different optimal impedance loading. The manual is complete and well written. And once set up, the preamp both looks and sounds terrific. But set up is a pain.

The front switches are small and their operation a little unpredictable. But the real issues are (1) selecting between moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) cartridges to set variable (MC) or fixed (MM) impedance loads, (2) choosing single-ended or balanced connections for Input 2, and (3) setting the impedance load for MC cartridges. The choice of fixed or variable impedance loads, and the choice of Input 2 connections, involves manipulating six tiny, recessed DIP switches on the back panel "” getting them set correctly is tricky, and I ended up having to use a magnifying glass and a jeweler's screwdriver to get the job done. The variable impedance loading adjustment for MC cartridges is worse. You have to watch the display on the front panel of the unit while manipulating two tiny rotary knobs (one for each channe), which are on the back panel of the unit and partially obstructed by the RCA input jacks, to set the continuously variable loading. This is no small feat with a case that is 15 inches deep "” and calling the rotary knobs "finicky"" is being generous "” getting to the desired value (and having the value of the left and right channel match) required a combination of luck and perseverance. Also, in my unit, the right channel did not have a full range of adjustment (the adjustment range is supposed to go from 0 to 1000 ohms "” it only adjusted from 0 to 300 ohms in the right channel). Happily, the cartridge I am using at the moment works well with a 300 ohm impedance load (as will most MC cartridges, actually) and so the glitch wasn't serious enough to cause me to return the unit.

In fairness, once the set up is complete, actually using the phono preamp is completely painless -- it has both balanced and single-end (RCA) outputs, and they can be used at the same time (which actually comes in handy, in my case -- I have two separate preamplifier/power amplifier combinations set up that I can switch between, and one of the preamps accepts balanced inputs -- so I can plug the phono preamp into both at the same time, and use either combination I want without having to change any wires). It also has two ground screws -- the separate screws are intended for use with phono cables that have one ground wire for the turntable and another for the tonearm (I have one of those, too).

The phono preamp provides a very clean, quiet, hum and noise-free output signal, and my vinyl records have never sounded better. But the set-up design leaves much to be desired, and suggests that some corners were cut, sacrificing usability in order to preserve a particular price point while claiming a high degree of configurability. Other phono preamps handle configuration better, but many of those that do so are significantly more expensive.