One of the most neglected parts of the phono chain is the phono preamplifier; this is particularly true if you’re new to vinyl playback and have not really given that much thought to how that cartridge on the end of your tonearm actually works and how that minuscule level of output is amplified. The best affordable phono preamplifiers will likely do a much better job than the internal phono stage inside of your amplifier and offer greater flexibility with both MC and MM cartridges.
Vinyl continues to grow at record pace as a category in 2022. Just how much? Last year 40 million LPs (albums) were sold in the United States alone (source RIAA), which was up 67% from the prior year and the highest number in 33 years (since 1988). 40 million. Stick that in your CD player. It has also created a surge of new phono pre-amplifiers in the marketplace. Most consumers don’t think about the best phono pre-amplifiers for their turntables and that’s a problem.
What concerns us the most is that consumers who have taken the plunge into vinyl for the first time have not even scratched the surface when it comes to the playback quality of their turntable. Will this group abandon vinyl as high-end digital streaming becomes more affordable and accessible?
Don’t expect vinyl nirvana from a $300 turntable set-up — you might be disappointed with how that brand new $30 record sounds. $500 is a better place to start for an affordable audiophile turntable.
There is nothing worse than taking the plunge on an expensive component like a turntable and discovering that the fancy cartridge installed on the tonearm sounds dreadful. The reality is that your turntable isn’t broken and the cartridge that you painstakingly installed is capable of so much more. The best phono pre-amplifiers don’t have to look nice. In a perfect world, it should sit all alone on your rack and properly amplify the output of your cartridge.
A phono preamp is also asked to apply the RIAA equalization curve to the signal, reverting it back to the shape it was on the original recording. No pressure there. The problem is that phono cartridges don’t play well together in the sandbox. They don’t have the same output level and require relatively precise loading (impedance) to sound their best. Everything about their performance changes if you don’t select the right phono pre-amplifier; color, pace, transparency, detail, soundstage, dynamics, and degree of immediacy.
If your cartridge buying options lean towards high-output moving magnet cartridges from brands like Grado Labs, Ortofon, Audio-Technica, Hana or Nagaoka – all of our suggestions will work rather well.
Low-output moving coil cartridges from Denon, Audio-Technica, Dynavector, Ortofon, Hana, and Grado Labs require more gain (50dB or more) and the ability to adjust their load settings. In such cases, consider the more expensive options on our list which offer greater set-up flexibility and enough gain for these types of cartridges.
Schiit Audio Mani 2 ($149)
Inexpensive phono pre-amplifiers like the Schiit Mani 2 are very rare. Not only does this tiny metal box sound like a far more expensive unit, but it’s manufactured and assembled in California. The adjustability of the Mani makes it versatile and opens the door to a wider range of cartridges that users may want to try. If you are new to vinyl listening and your amplifier doesn’t offer an internal phono pre-amplifier – this might be a great place to start.
Reasons to buy:
- Inexpensive and very quiet performance
- Works with both MM and MC cartridges
- Decent pacing
- Warm midrange
Reasons to pass:
- Not the deepest sounding soundstage
- Can sound slightly restrained or polite depending on the cartridge
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo ($299)
The Alva Duo is very similar to the Schiit Mani from the perspective that it delivers a warm sounding midrange and a very low noise floor. It offers both MM and MC inputs and a rather propulsive presentation. Some may find the inclusion of a dedicated headphone amplifier strange, but it delivers a lot of power and makes listening to vinyl with a pair of headphones very enjoyable. For further detail, read our full review of the Alva Duo with Cambridge Audio CXA61 Integrated Amp.
Reasons to buy:
- Zero noise. Deep space nobody can hear you scream level of quiet
- Works with both MM and MC cartridges
- Very little adjustability with MC cartridges
- Solid pacing
- Warm tonal balance
- Headphone amplifier has engaging sound and a lot of power
Moon by SimAudio LP110 V2 ($600)
This very solid piece of engineering offers adjustability for almost every cartridge on the market and is dead quiet in its operation. The neutral tonal balance makes the LP110 V2 ideal for warmer sounding cartridges like the Grado Timbre Series or low-output MCs from Hana. Music moves with a sense of purpose and the level of detail retrieval is superb for the asking price.
Reasons to buy:
- Built like tank
- Works well with both MM and MC cartridges
- Multiple loading options for both types of cartridges
- Zero noise
- Neutral sounding tonal balance that makes a lot of cartridges sound their best
- Excellent sense of pace
- Borscht for the asking price
Upgrade Picks
If your budget can stretch a little more, check out list of Best Audiophile Phono Preamps under $1,000.
