# U-Turn Pluto 2 vs Parasound Zphono: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the U-Turn Pluto 2 (U-Turn Audio) and Parasound Zphono (Parasound) among phono preamps. U-Turn Pluto 2 is the cheaper of the two at $129.

## Side by side

| Spec | U-Turn Pluto 2 | Parasound Zphono |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $129 | $200 |
| Brand | U-Turn Audio | Parasound |
| Cartridge support | MM only | MM and MC, switchable gain |
| Gain (dB) | 40 | MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Snr (dB) | 90 dB(A) | MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.25 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 100 | 150 |
| Subsonic filter | Active subsonic filter | — |
| Thd percent | <0.005% (A-weighted) | — |
| Output level | — | 1.1 V |

## Key differences

- Cartridge support: U-Turn Pluto 2 MM only vs Parasound Zphono MM and MC, switchable gain
- Gain (dB): U-Turn Pluto 2 40 vs Parasound Zphono MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz
- Snr (dB): U-Turn Pluto 2 90 dB(A) vs Parasound Zphono MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB
- Riaa accuracy: U-Turn Pluto 2 ±0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs Parasound Zphono ±0.25 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: U-Turn Pluto 2 100 vs Parasound Zphono 150

## Sources

- U-Turn Pluto 2: https://uturnaudio.com/products/pluto-phono-preamp (uturnaudio.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- Parasound Zphono: https://www.parasound.com/products/zc-zphono (parasound.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/u-turn-pluto-2-vs-parasound-zphono/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, U-Turn Pluto 2 ($129) vs Parasound Zphono ($200) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/u-turn-pluto-2-vs-parasound-zphono/
License: CC BY 4.0.