Primare R15 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier

R15 Phono Stage

R15 is an award-winning compact MM/MC phono preamplifier, providing the ideal interface between the low-level output of a moving magnet or moving coil phono cartridge and the line-level inputs of your hi-fi system.

Technology

R15 MM/MC phono preamp is designed to amplify with honest fidelity the delicate signal from any cartridge it is paired with.

Although housed in their compact three-quarter sized 15 series cabinetry, the same care and craft that informs the design of the larger and somewhat more capable R35 MM/MC phono preamplifier has informed the design of the R15, allowing all circuits to work sympathetically together for superior sound and greater fidelity. With sufficient gain to amplify the signal from virtually any moving magnet or moving coil phono cartridge, very flexible input adjustment allows for ideal system matching.

The look and feel of Scandinavia

Primare's believe that every aspect of their products – the way they look, the satisfying feel of the controls – contributes to the overall experience of living with Primare. As a result, Primare products exude the hallmarks of Scandinavian design – simple, elegant designs, with approachable and easy-to-understand functionality. An example of this is the standby button discretely placed within the Primare logo on the faceplate of their R15, R35 and A35.2 models – or as they say lagom, not too much not too little, everything in balance, proportion, and harmony.

System Building

With the 15 Series, they offer a carefully considered array of models in order to allow for the best selection to fit any of your system needs. For example, the ultimate 15 Series system might be the DD15 CD transport, SC15 Prisma preamplifier and network player, I15 analogue integrated amplifier, and R15 MM/MC phono preamplifier, allowing for the best performance, analogue or digital, with the greatest number of connection options.

However, there may be no need for additional digital inputs, MC phono preamplification may not be a requirement, or simply to address budget or size considerations, a system composed of CD15 Prisma CD and network player with an I15 MM integrated amplifier with MM15 MM phono module installed could be assembled. This compact and reasonably priced system provides multiple analogue source playback, including vinyl disc, as well as digital disc, stored or streamed media playback, with remarkable power, control, and connection flexibility.

EISA PHONO PREAMP 2020-2021 Primare R15

“It’s the ideal interface between a high-quality record player and the line input of your amplifier.”

Primare are pleased to announce that, for the third year in a row, one of their new models have been honoured with a prestigious EISA award. It is satisfying to note that the EISA Hi-Fi panel not only recognised the R15 MM/MC Phono Preamp for its superior performance but also acknowledged the flagship R35 on which its circuit design is based, identifying in each Primare’s signature sound as a “mix of weight and substance allied to detail and resolution.”

Reviews

“Its price tag of 1,050 euros does not make the Primare R15 a phono preamplifier that you ‘just pick up’ when you buy a record player. It is an investment that fits in a better music system with a record player from a higher category (or an affordable but good turntable with a better cartridge). In that context, you not only discover a phono amplifier in a beautiful housing, but above all a very competent phono stage that stands out for its quiet background and excellent detail reproduction.”

-FWD

“Here’s an affordable MM/MC phono stage that adopts the low-noise, short-path circuit design of Primare’s costlier, full-size R35. The R15 offers impedance and capacitance settings for both pick-up types, a subsonic filter to tackle vinyl warp frequencies, and a choice of two gain settings for both MMs and MCs. The robust steelcasing inspires confidence, the Scandinavian design chic inspires envious looks, and the sound performance inspires lengthy vinyl listening sessions. Able to resolve detail, throw a light on dynamic contrasts and pull you into the music without adding its own character, it’s an ideal bridge between your vinyl player and amp.”

-AVTech

“What is really impressive, however, is the lack of distortion and the resulting wide and at the same time contour-sharp spatial reproduction of the device: every mixing console track, every percussion or piano sprinkle, the small individual reverb spaces that occasionally envelop voices and instruments – all this gets and retains its fixed place. This creates a clear, confident order to the sound, from which even cheap pickups benefit enormously.”

-Mint

“I listened to this phono preamp with great interest and I must say I was impressed. The high level of construction and, above all, its performance would suggest a much higher price than the one thousand euros required to own it. Over the years I have had several phono preamps and, especially at the beginning of my audio adventure, my gripe was that I could not afford the expense necessary to purchase a suitable phono. If there had been the Primare R15, I would have solved the problem.”

-Audio Review

“The first impression is that the musical balance is perfectly maintained, the instruments sound natural, with a rich spectrum, and nothing is “overheated” – neither the midrange nor the top… There are many more technical aspects, but the result is the same, rich and lively sound both in MM and MC modes.”

-Salon Audio Video

“The 15 Series includes after all, relatively many models, so that anyone can build a system which suits their needs… And that fits in perfectly with Primare’s focus on ‘lagom’ (read: exactly what is needed), which is the Swedish approach.”

-Music Emotion

“For my part, I’d be happy with the system whichever way it was put together… In other words, if you want to keep your options open and have all of those options sound good, don’t be surprised if all your electronics end up with a Primare logo on the front.”

-HiFi+

“The R15 masters the art of combining transparency with tonal cohesion, which makes a significant contribution to the sophisticated aura exuded by the pleasantly discreet Primare, whose equally unaffected and stylish design found an equivalent in the sound. The R15 performs beyond its price range and was also not overwhelmed by high-quality pickups – regardless of the type. So, the supposedly simple Primare turned out to be quite moving in the end. Price/Performance – Outstanding.”

-Stereo

“Nine minutes of “Comfortably Numb” isn’t just atmospheric but utterly mesmerising with a sense of air and unfettered bandwidth that captures the scale and magic of the music and the venue… This has nothing to do with the hyped presence some phono stages employ to pep up proceedings, but a precision and focus that doesn’t blunt edges, blur textures or drag tempos and presents the solid and the spacious as a coherent whole with the full spectrum of tonal colours and accurately rendered instrumental timbres. Recommended, Five Stars.”

-Hi-Fi Choice

“But the R15 enchanted us. It was warm, soulful, quick, brilliant – the best of both Worlds. By the standards one would have our best list quite double for that quality. Therefore, a highlight and a loud one. Buy recommendation.”

-Stereoplay

User Reviews

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