Phono 1 SE+

About the Phono 1 SE+

The Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 SE+ is an aftermarket upgrade package for the original Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 SE hybrid tube/solid-state phono preamplifier, developed and installed by Parts Connexion (run by Sonic Frontiers co-founder Chris Johnson) after Sonic Frontiers ceased production of the original unit. The underlying Phono 1 SE, introduced around 1999 as Sonic Frontiers' last phono stage, uses FET/JFET input devices feeding four 6DJ8/6922 tubes, offers high gain suitable for low-output MC cartridges, and provides DIP-switch-selectable input loading on the rear panel. The SE+ modification focuses heavily on the power supply, replacing many electrolytic capacitors (commonly with Nichicon types) and rectifier diodes (often with Cree Schottky parts), and typically adds premium film output-coupling capacitors such as Mundorf MCap Supreme Silver/Oil along with upgraded resistors from brands like Takman and Vishay. Parts Connexion's package also includes a fresh set of tubes and is priced in the mid-hundreds of dollars range, aimed at extending the service life of the unit, lowering noise, and improving subjective clarity and resolution compared with the stock Phono 1 SE.