RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
SPL phonos moving magnet/moving coil phono preamp in excellent condition.Douglas Self design, polystyrene caps, 120V rails, plenty of gain, etc…Good enough for Bob Ludwig, good enough for us.Only selling because I have moved onto a transimpedance phono stage. Item will be packed and shipped in its original box.
Compared with the obvious alternative of paying closer to US$1,722 for a typical used example, US$1,100 looks like a strong bargain: it sits well below the US$1,411 25th percentile and only about 64% of the median. For a good phono stage, that’s the kind of gap that usually means real value rather than just a small discount.
This is a well-regarded, no-nonsense analog front end: quiet, flexible, and capable of serious resolution if the rest of the chain is up to it. At this price, the appeal is straightforward—high-end performance without paying anywhere near the usual mid-market used number. If it’s clean, working properly, and includes the right power supply and accessories, it’s the sort of listing I’d move on quickly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
SPL, or Sound Performance Lab, is a German audio innovator founded in 1983 by recording engineer and music producer Hermann Gier. Beginning as a modest garage operation, the company quickly expanded its scope, evolving from experimental prototypes into a respected force in professional audio. Its heritage reflects a relentless pursuit of sonic excellence, rooted in hands-on listening and boundary-pushing engineering that has defined its trajectory for over four decades.
SPL focuses on high-end studio and hi-fi gear, excelling in categories like preamplifiers, compressors, equalizers, monitoring controllers, and headphone amplifiers such as the acclaimed Phonitor. Signature technologies like discrete operational amplifiers and the patented 120V rail system deliver unparalleled dynamic range and clarity, powering tools from the groundbreaking Transient Designer to mastering processors. While primarily pro-oriented for music production, film, and broadcasting, select products bridge into discerning hi-fi applications.
In the market, SPL occupies a premium niche as a boutique leader among audio professionals and serious enthusiasts, prized for innovative design, exceptional transparency, and reliability. Far from mass-market fare, its gear earns cult status in studios worldwide, backed by TEC Awards and endorsements from sound engineers who demand the best. For the knowledgeable hi-fi buyer, SPL represents uncompromised German precision that elevates any signal chain.
See all SPL - Sound Performance Lab listings on RADAR.
