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Avid Velsonic
Avid HiFi has introduced the Velsonic, a new reference-level phono preamplifier positioned as the flagship of the company's analog electronics lineup and its first completely new phono stage platform since 2012. Developed and manufactured at Avid's Cambridgeshire facility, the Velsonic replaces both the Pulsare II and Pellere models while carrying forward circuit concepts derived from the company's Reference Pre-Amplifier, signaling a broader refresh of its upper-tier analog architecture. Rather than pursuing a hybrid or digitally assisted topology, the Velsonic follows a strictly analog design philosophy built around a fully dual-mono signal path from input to output. Separate channel layouts are intended to maximize channel separation and reduce crosstalk, while the absence of digital control circuitry reflects Avid's long-standing preference for preserving signal purity in low-level phono applications. According to the manufacturer, particular attention has been paid to minimizing noise throughout the gain structure, an area especially critical in high-resolution MC cartridge systems.
Flexibility is a central element of the Velsonic concept. The preamplifier provides extensive adjustment options for both MM and MC cartridges, including a wider range of gain settings and expanded impedance selection compared with earlier Avid designs. This allows more precise matching with cartridges of differing output levels and loading requirements and supports integration into systems using a broad variety of line-stage preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers. The expanded adjustment range also reflects the growing diversity of modern low-output moving-coil designs, many of which benefit from carefully optimized loading conditions.
Internally, the Velsonic draws on circuit techniques developed for Avid's Reference Pre-Amplifier platform, incorporating revised component selection and updated signal-path optimization intended to improve stability, reduce distortion, and maintain consistent performance across the full operating bandwidth. The power-supply voltage architecture has been reworked to provide greater headroom and operating consistency under dynamic conditions, supporting the low-noise requirements of high-gain phono amplification stages.
Mechanical construction follows the company's established approach to vibration control. The chassis is engineered to minimize mechanical interaction with sensitive signal stages, while newly developed isolation feet further reduce the transmission of structure-borne energy from supporting surfaces. Together with the dual-mono internal layout, these measures are intended to preserve micro-detail retrieval and spatial stability during playback.
As the successor to the Pulsare II and Pellere, the Velsonic represents a consolidation of Avid's previous phono stage development into a single reference platform positioned at the top of its electronics range. The model also aligns with the manufacturer's broader strategy of maintaining fully analog signal paths across its flagship components while refining power-supply topology and mechanical isolation as primary performance drivers.
Founded in the United Kingdom, Avid HiFi is known primarily for precision-engineered turntables, tonearms, and analog electronics developed and manufactured in-house. Over more than two decades the company has expanded its portfolio to include a complete range of vinyl playback components, with the Velsonic representing its most advanced phono stage design to date. The Avid Velsonic is expected to become available from May 2026 with a suggested retail price of approximately $16,900/€15,900/£13,500, placing it firmly in the upper tier of standalone phono preamplifiers. Info and photos by Avid HiFi.
