Phone Pre-Amp Guide
What is a Phono pre-amplifier?
A phono pre amplifier (sometimes referred to as a phono stage) is a hifi component that enables you to listen to your turntable through your hifi system.
Why doesn’t a turntable just work when I plug it in to my Amplifier?
A turntable has a very low audio output so it is usually necessary to boost the signal before it reaches your amplifier. Some amplifiers have a phono stage incorporated but it has become less common practice for manufacturers to include them in recent years. Also, integral phono stages only tend to be suitable for Moving Magnet cartridges and have no room for adjustment.
A separate phono stage will often include the option to switch between Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. In some cases they may also offer further adjustment allowing you to ‘tune’ the phono stage so that it compliments the sonic characteristics of your cartridge.
Recommended Phono Pre-Amps
With the basics out of the way here is a list of Phono Pre-Amplifier’s to suit a range of budgets that we would recommend.
A superb entry level phono stage that is ideal for those who simply want to connect a turntable equipped with a moving magnet cartridge to an amplifier that doesn’t have a inbuilt phono stage.
A good alternative to the Project Phono Box MM with the added flexibility of a USB output allowing the user to connect to a computer so that they can copy and convert their vinyl to a digital format.
An affordable solution for connecting a Turntable to your existing system. The Project Phono Box is capable of supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges.
The first of our phono stages that allows you to adjust the input impedance, input capacitance and gain so that it can meet the needs of pretty much any cartridge on the market.
A dedicated Moving Magnet phono stage offering uncompromised performance from those looking to get the very best from their Moving Magnet cartridge.
Another stunning Phono stage that allows for adjustment of the input impedance. Whilst the Lehmann doesn’t offer quite the same level of flexibility as the Project Phono Box S, it does feature higher quality components and the benefit of a low noise regulated power supply. Its small size allows for it to be situated close to the Turntable thus minimizing loss of signal quality due to cable length. Non-magnetic, anti resonance treated casework further emphasizes Lehmann’s attention to detail and performance.
Housed within a custom designed case are two entirely separate high performance phono stages – One fully adjustable dedicated moving coil and one moving magnet. Each stage is designed and engineered to maximise the potential of your vinyl system whilst remaining easy to use and set up.