The Parasound XRM occupies an interesting space in the phono preamplifier world. It is a dedicated moving magnet and moving coil phono stage built around a design philosophy of Parasound accuracy and low noise engineering. For the experienced enthusiast, this means the XRM is intended to do one job with precision: extract the delicate signal from a phono cartridge, apply accurate RIAA equalization, and pass along a clean, boosted output to your line stage or integrated amplifier. Below we take a thorough look at what makes this unit tick, from cartridge compatibility to output topology.
What kind of component is the Parasound XRM?
The XRM is a moving magnet and moving coil phono preamplifier. Its role is singular and specialized: it sits between your turntable's tonearm cables and the rest of your system, providing the enormous gain and precise equalization that a phono cartridge signal requires before it can be handled by a conventional line level input. Unlike a line stage or an integrated amplifier, the XRM does nothing but process phono signals, which allows every element of its circuitry to be optimized for that task rather than compromised across multiple duties.
Why does a phono cartridge need a dedicated preamplifier at all?
A phono cartridge produces an extremely small signal that also requires equalization, which is why a dedicated phono stage like the XRM exists. The output of a cartridge is a tiny fraction of the voltage that a CD player or streamer delivers, so it must be amplified by a very large factor before it is usable. On top of that, records are cut using the RIAA curve, which deliberately reduces bass and boosts treble during mastering. A phono preamplifier reverses that curve on playback, and because it operates on such faint signals, the quality of its gain and equalization stages has an outsized effect on what you ultimately hear.
Cartridge Compatibility
Does the XRM support both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges?
Yes, the XRM supports both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. This dual compatibility is significant because these two cartridge types have very different electrical characteristics. Moving magnet designs generally produce a higher output voltage and present a fairly standardized load, while moving coil cartridges typically produce a much smaller output and can be far more particular about the load they see. By handling both, the XRM accommodates the full range of cartridges an enthusiast is likely to own, from an affordable MM design to a high performance MC.
How does the selectable gain work on the XRM?
The XRM offers selectable MM and MC gain settings so that the amount of amplification matches the cartridge in use. Because moving coil cartridges produce so much less voltage than moving magnet designs, they require considerably more gain to reach a usable output level. If you fed an MC cartridge through a gain structure meant for MM, the result would be far too quiet and buried in noise; conversely, running an MM cartridge through MC level gain would risk overload. The selectable gain lets you tell the XRM which type of cartridge is connected so that the preamplifier delivers an appropriate output level with proper headroom.
What does selectable cartridge loading do, and why does it matter?
Selectable cartridge loading lets you set the electrical impedance and capacitance that the cartridge sees, which directly shapes its frequency response and behavior. A cartridge does not perform in isolation; it interacts with the load presented by the phono stage's input. For moving magnet cartridges, the loading capacitance influences the high frequency response, and matching it to the manufacturer's recommendation keeps the treble balanced rather than peaky or rolled off. For moving coil cartridges, the resistive loading affects damping and tonal balance. By making this loading selectable, the XRM allows you to fine tune the match between your specific cartridge and the preamplifier, which is one of the most audible adjustments available in analog playback.
Equalization and Signal Accuracy
What equalization curve does the XRM apply?
The XRM applies the RIAA equalization curve. This is the industry standard playback curve used for virtually all vinyl records produced since the 1950s. During record cutting, low frequencies are attenuated and high frequencies are boosted, both to conserve groove space and to manage noise. On playback, the phono stage must apply the mirror image of that curve, boosting the bass and cutting the treble by precisely the right amounts across the audible band. The accuracy of this RIAA implementation is one of the defining characteristics of any serious phono stage, because deviations from the curve translate directly into tonal coloration.
Why is RIAA accuracy so critical to the listening experience?
RIAA accuracy is critical because any error in the equalization curve appears as a tonal shift that affects every record you play. Unlike a subtle circuit distinction that might only reveal itself on demanding material, an RIAA deviation is systematic. If the curve dips or peaks even slightly at certain frequencies, the balance between bass, midrange, and treble is thrown off on all recordings. A phono stage built around Parasound accuracy engineering aims to track the RIAA curve as closely as possible so that what you hear reflects the record rather than a signature imposed by the preamplifier itself.
What does low noise engineering mean in practice for a phono stage?
Low noise engineering means the circuit is designed to add as little hiss and hum as possible to the very small signals it amplifies. This is a genuine engineering challenge in a phono stage because the input signal, especially from a moving coil cartridge, is so faint that it must be amplified enormously. Any noise generated at the input gets amplified right along with the music. Careful attention to component selection, grounding, and circuit layout keeps the noise floor low, which preserves the quiet passages, the sense of space around instruments, and the low level detail that make analog playback compelling. The practical payoff is that you hear more of the record and less of the electronics.
Inputs and Connectivity
What inputs does the XRM provide?
The XRM provides two RCA input sets, one dedicated to moving magnet and one dedicated to moving coil. This is a meaningful convenience for the analog enthusiast because it means you can have two turntables, or a single turntable fitted with two arms or two cartridges, connected simultaneously. One set is configured for the higher output, MM style connection, and the other is set up for the low output demands of a moving coil cartridge. Because each input is dedicated to a cartridge type, you avoid the fuss of reconfiguring the unit every time you want to switch between an MM and an MC setup.
How does the front panel input selector work?
The front panel input selector lets you choose between the two RCA input sets from the front of the unit. Rather than reaching behind the chassis to swap cables or toggle a rear switch, you simply select which input is active from where you sit or stand. This is particularly useful when you are switching between a moving magnet and a moving coil cartridge, since the selector routes the chosen input through the appropriate gain and processing for that source. It turns a two turntable or two cartridge setup into a genuinely practical everyday arrangement.
Can I connect two turntables to the XRM at the same time?
Yes, because the XRM has two separate RCA input sets, you can keep two sources connected at once. One turntable or tonearm can feed the moving magnet input while another feeds the moving coil input, and the front panel selector chooses which one plays. This flexibility is valuable for enthusiasts who maintain more than one cartridge for different purposes, such as a mono cartridge for older pressings alongside a stereo cartridge for modern records, or simply two decks with different tonal characters.
Outputs and System Integration
What outputs does the XRM offer?
The XRM offers both balanced XLR outputs and unbalanced RCA outputs. This dual output arrangement gives you flexibility in how you connect the phono stage to the rest of your system. The unbalanced RCA outputs are the conventional connection used by the vast majority of preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers. The balanced XLR outputs provide an alternative connection method that is especially useful in certain system contexts, which we will look at next.
When should I use the balanced XLR outputs instead of the RCA outputs?
You should consider the balanced XLR outputs when your line stage or integrated amplifier has balanced inputs, particularly if the cable run between the phono stage and the amplifier is long. Balanced connections carry the signal on a pair of conductors with opposite polarity, which allows the receiving component to reject noise picked up along the cable. In a phono system, where the signal has already been amplified from a very low level, keeping that signal clean over the cable run is worthwhile. If your downstream component only accepts RCA, the unbalanced outputs let you integrate the XRM into any conventional system without difficulty.
Can I use both output types at once?
The XRM provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, giving you connection options to suit your system's inputs. The presence of both output formats means the XRM can integrate into a wide variety of systems, whether your amplifier is a classic RCA design or a more modern balanced component. Consult the unit's documentation for guidance on running outputs, and in general choose the output type that matches your downstream component's inputs for the cleanest and most straightforward signal path.
Interpreting the Design in Practice
What kind of sonic character does the XRM's engineering suggest?
The XRM's stated emphasis on Parasound accuracy and low noise engineering points toward a phono stage that aims for neutrality and transparency rather than a deliberately colored sound. A design built around accuracy tries to reproduce the RIAA curve faithfully and add minimal character of its own, so the tonal balance you hear should largely reflect the cartridge, the pressing, and the mastering. The low noise focus suggests a quiet background that lets low level detail come through, which is where much of the emotional content of analog playback lives.
How does the XRM fit into a serious analog system?
The XRM fits into a serious analog system as the dedicated bridge between turntable and line stage, with the flexibility to support two cartridge types and two output formats. Because it handles both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges with selectable gain and loading, it can grow with your cartridge collection and adapt as your tastes evolve. The dual RCA inputs with front panel selection make dual turntable or dual cartridge setups practical, and the choice of balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA output ensures it can connect cleanly to nearly any amplification you place after it. For the enthusiast who wants a focused, adaptable phono stage centered on accuracy and quiet operation, the XRM covers the essential ground with intention.