Primare R35 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier

The Primare R35 is Primare’s most sophisticated MM/MC phono preamplifier, crafted to deliver pure, honest sound from vinyl records. As the ideal interface between the low-level output of a moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridge and your system’s line-level inputs, the R35 features versatile RCA and XLR connections to integrate seamlessly into any high-fidelity setup.

Key Features of the Primare R35

• Versatile MM/MC Compatibility: Supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges for flexibility across different vinyl systems.
• Fully Isolated Power Supply: Minimizes noise, allowing sensitive signal components to operate in a pristine environment for greater fidelity.
• Adjustable Gain and Input Settings: Gain adjustment up to 50dB for MM and 76dB for MC, with a wide range of load adjustments for optimal cartridge matching.
• Scandinavian Design Excellence: Thoughtfully crafted with a minimalist aesthetic, the R35 exemplifies Scandinavian balance and elegance.

Advanced Technology for Pristine Audio

Engineered to amplify the delicate signals from even the lowest-output phono cartridges, the R35 combines sophisticated circuitry with an isolated power supply for ultra-low noise performance. Every component is carefully selected to work harmoniously, enhancing sound clarity and depth while preserving the nuances of each record. With adjustable gain, input impedance, and capacitance, the R35 allows users to achieve the ideal match for any cartridge and system.

Perfect Customization for Audiophiles

The R35 offers an extensive range of adjustments to optimize cartridge performance. Adjustable gain and loading settings allow for easy customization, letting audiophiles achieve the perfect interface between cartridge and preamplifier. This level of control ensures that every note and subtle detail is faithfully reproduced, bringing out the best in your vinyl collection.

Timeless Scandinavian Design

True to Primare’s Scandinavian design ethos, the R35 combines simplicity with elegance. With intuitive controls and understated beauty, it’s crafted to enhance any listening space visually and functionally. The thoughtful placement of the standby button within the Primare logo on the faceplate exemplifies Primare’s philosophy of “lagom”—everything in balance and harmony.

R35 Circuit Design and Signal Architecture

The R35 is built as a completely symmetrical dual mono preamplifier, a topology that provides exceptional channel separation and noise rejection. Engineer Bent Nielsen developed the four-layer circuit board layout and MM circuitry, using discrete components on the inputs that release the signal via relays to the RIAA equalization stage. The RIAA section uses carefully selected op-amps, and the signal path concludes in a fully balanced circuit before reaching the outputs. This symmetrical approach means that any noise introduced along the way is effectively canceled out, resulting in a remarkably clean presentation. With RIAA correction accuracy of +/- 0.2dB across the full 20Hz to 20kHz range, the R35 handles the complex equalization curve with precision that allows the music to emerge naturally from the groove.

Power Supply and Noise Management

Powering the R35 is a linear, discrete power supply built around a toroidal transformer housed in a mu-metal case. This shielding is critical in a phono preamplifier, where the signals being amplified can be as low as a fraction of a millivolt. The upgraded toroidal transformer features uprated components and greater shielding compared to earlier Primare phono designs, keeping electromagnetic interference well away from the sensitive audio circuits. The fully isolated supply ensures that the highly sensitive signal components function in a noise-free environment, which translates directly to lower THD figures (less than 0.02% for MM, less than 0.03% for MC across 20Hz to 20kHz) and strong signal-to-noise ratios of 85dB for MM and 76dB for MC inputs (A-weighted at 1kHz).

Loading Flexibility and Cartridge Matching

Where many phono stages offer a handful of settings, the R35 provides no fewer than 29 gain and loading steps across its MM and MC inputs. Moving magnet gain is adjustable at 36, 40, and 44dB via RCA (42, 46, and 50dB via XLR), while moving coil gain spans 62, 66, and 70dB via RCA (68, 72, and 76dB via XLR). Impedance loading for MC cartridges is adjustable from 10 ohms to 47k ohms in 21 discrete steps, giving you precise control over how your cartridge interfaces with the preamplifier. Capacitive loading for MM cartridges offers 100, 200, 300, and 400pF options. This extensive range of adjustments means the R35 can be fine-tuned to match virtually any cartridge on the market, from affordable moving magnets to exotic low-output moving coils, extracting the best possible performance from each one.

Primare R35 Phono Preamplifier Video

Primare's Terry Medalen introduces the R15 and R35 phono preamplifiers, covering their ultra-low-noise design, flexible gain and loading adjustments, and how they handle both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges with honest fidelity.

Explore More Primare Products

Complete your 35 Series system with these companion components:

• Primare I35
• Primare PRE35
• Primare A35.2
• Primare A35.8
• Primare CD35
• Primare DD35
• Primare R15

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection.

Primare R35 Specifications