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U-Turn Audio
U-Turn Pluto 2
$129Cheaper
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
U-Turn Pluto 2 vs Parasound Zphono
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. U-Turn Pluto 2 is cheaper at $129. Every spec and price links to its source.
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Parasound
Parasound Zphono
$200
Which is better: the U-Turn Pluto 2 or Parasound Zphono?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The U-Turn Pluto 2 is the cheaper at $129.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | U-Turn Pluto 2 | Parasound Zphono |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129 U-Turn Audio direct price | $200 Parasound direct/list price |
| Brand | U-Turn Audio | Parasound |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — U-Turn Pluto 2: uturnaudio.com (verified 2026-08-12). Parasound Zphono: parasound.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the U-Turn Pluto 2 and Parasound Zphono?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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