Best Phono Preamplifiers: Editors’ Choice 2024

Introduction

Did you invest in a new turnable? Are you still standing in line on Record Store Day? 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.

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.

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.

Why Do You Need a Phono Preamplifier?

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.

Best Phono Preamp Under $150

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. 

Pros:

• Inexpensive and very quiet performance
• Works with both MM and MC cartridges
• Decent pacing
• Warm midrange

Cons:

• Not the deepest sounding soundstage
• Can sound slightly restrained or polite depending on the cartridge

Where to buy:

Andover Audio SpinStage ($249)

Vinyl me this…vinyl me that. Who is afraid of the big, black bat? 

Couldn’t resist. And nor should some of you when it comes to the Andover Audio SpinStage Phono Preamplifier. 

Raise your hand if you thought vinyl would be the best-selling physical music format in 2024? Michael Fremer and Chad Kassem can lower their hands in the back of the room. 

$250 for a rather high quality MM/MC phono preamplifier? 

While turntable and cartridge options have been rather plentiful, the affordable MM/MC phono stage category below $400 has been dominated by only a few models from Schiit Audio, Cambridge Audio, and Rega. Andover Audio sells a lot of SpinDeck and SpinDeck Max turntables but they’ve never offered a dedicated and affordable MM/MC phono pre-amplifier until now.

The Andover Audio SpinStage has two key features not commonly found in budget phono preamplifiers. First, by adding a separate MC gain stage with ultra-low-noise discrete transistors in a type of transconductance topology usually found only in more expensive designs, the SpinStage benefits from providing the necessary gain without added noise.

Second, the addition of an Auxiliary input restores the input used by the SpinStage when it’s connected to an amplifier that has only a few inputs. For example, a system that includes a CD player or other device may need the input used by the SpinStage.

The MM section adds 40dB of gain, whilst the MC section offers 66.5dB for low output moving coil cartridges.

Phono-cartridge resistive and capacitive loading optimize the SpinStage’s high-frequency performance with any MM cartridge, while its ultra-high-precision resistors and capacitors deliver RIAA response typically accurate within ±0.2dB. 

The SpinStage’s selectable subsonic filter reduces the ultra-low-frequency noise of turntable rumble that can cause excess woofer pumping and waste amplifier power.

You can read my review here, but let’s cut to the chase.

Between the loading options, build quality, and surprisingly transparent and detailed presentation, Andover Audio has created one of the best affordable phono pre-amplifiers on the market.

Pros:

• Inexpensive and very quiet performance
• Works with both MM and MC cartridges
• Build quality
• Detailed and transparent presentation
• Pacing and overall presence are very strong

Cons:

• Bass impact could be stronger
• DIP switch settings can be hard to read

Where to buy:

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Best Phono Preamp Under $400

Cambridge Audio Alva Duo ($349) 

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.

Pros:

• Zero noise. Deep space nobody can hear you scream level of quiet 
• Works with both MM and MC cartridges 
• Solid pacing
• Warm tonal balance 
• Headphone amplifier has engaging sound and a lot of power

Cons:

• Not the last word in neutrality
• Very little adjustability with MC cartridges

Where to buy:

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Best Phono Preamp Under $500

Rega Fono MM MK5 ($445)

Rega is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end turntables in the world and we’re rather fond of the Planar 3 and their excellent integrated amplifiers including the io and Aethos which we have covered rather extensively. Rega also manufactures their own phono cartridges who are designed to work with products like the Rega Fono MM MK5.

The brand does an excellent job with all of their phono pre-amplifiers, but the Fono MM MK5 is a rather good value if you are using MM cartridges in the $150 to $500 range and want something that is very quiet, detailed, and slightly warmer sounding than the other phono pre-amplifiers on this list.

The Fono MM MK5 lacks some of the transparency and low end heft of the more expensive Moon by Simaudio LP110 V2 — but that should be the case when you are spending an additional $150 at this price level. Rega owners already know that the Fono is a solid performer, but those using the 2M Red, Nagaoka MP-110 and Goldring E4 might want to have a listen at their local dealer.

Pros:

• Solid build quality
• Warmer tonal balance, punchy low end
• Works really well with entry-level MM cartridges
• Excellent pace

Cons:

• 41 dB of gain makes it a better option for cartridges above 3mV of output

Where to buy:

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Best Phono Preamp Under $600

Moon by Simaudio LP110 V2 ($599)

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. 

The LP110 V2 has a wide range of loading options on the bottom panel and a tool is provided to move the DIP switches around; just remember to wear glasses or use a magnifying glass to make it easier to read.

Pros:

• 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
• Made in Canada

Cons:

• May become more expensive if the 25% tariffs kick in soon
• DIP switches on the bottom panel are hard to read

Where to buy:

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Best Phono Preamp Under $1,000

iFi Audio iPhono3 Black Label ($999)

iFi has been on roll for the past few years and their affordable line-up has some real gems if you know where to look. Build quality is top notch on their products, and the Black Label products are some of the easiest recommendations if you are assembling a desktop audio system, headphone rig, or two-channel system for a larger room.

The iPhono3 is the third generation of phono preamps from the brand and what really sets the iPhono3 Black Label apart is the level of adjustability, and subterranean noise floor.

The unit can handle both MM/MC cartridges; with separate inputs for each type of cartridge but only one set of outputs. With a range of 36dB-72dB of gain, the iPhono3 can handle almost any cartridge on the market.

iFi has always utilized a DIP switch configuration on the bottom panel of the iPhono products and supplies a tool to make setting the capacitance and impedance easier. 

A low noise floor might not seem very exciting, but the iPhono3 Black Label creates an incredibly quiet background for the music to emerge from. Bass notes are taut and meaty depending on the cartridge.

The neutrality of the unit isn’t a negative in a scenario where a user may want to experiment with different types of cartridges and experience their sonic flavor with their favorite recordings. 

The iPhono3 works well with all genres of music and while it will not smooth over a lousy recording, its tonal balance won’t make it unlistenable either. Partner the iPhono3 Black Label with a warm sounding cartridge and you’ll get every ounce of its performance.

When combined with a more neutral sounding cartridge, the iFi unit doesn’t add or subtract anything from the presentation giving users a lot of freedom to experiment with their loudspeaker/amplifier combination.

One the most versatile audiophile phono preamps on the market for under $1,000. A true bargain.

Pros:

• Built like a tank
• Wide range of adjustments and load settings
• Quietest phono pre-amplifier we’ve tried 
• Neutral tonal balance
• Excellent sense of pace and timing 
• Value for the money

Cons:

• Load settings are hard to read on the bottom panel
• Don’t lose the DIP switch tool
• Top end could be sweeter 

Where to buy:

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Best Phono Preamp Under $2,000

McIntosh MP100 ($2,000)

The McIntosh MP100 is not inexpensive at $2,000; some audiophiles will think it’s pretty affordable considering the brand behind it, but we know that $2,000 is a very firm ceiling for 99% of the population that listens to records with the same passion as the rest of us. 

The bottom line is that it is worth every cent of its asking price and we are puzzled why it’s not more money; the only logical explanation is that the folks in Binghamton are trying to lure in new blood with a product that delivers on its long-history of excellence — at a price that is too tempting to ignore.

At 11-1/2″W x 3-5/16″H x 13-3/4″D, The MP100 is not going to take up a lot of space in your rack or even on a credenza which is where I used it for most of the review. The unit is almost 9 pounds and feels like a brick in your hands. 

In some respects, the MP100 feels rather old-school McIntosh from the 1980s with its selector dials for setting the load capacitance and load resistance. Its performance, however, is decidedly 2024 and it exemplifies the concept of a Swiss Army Knife with many tools at your disposal.

The MP100’s back panel is very neatly laid out; you will find a left, right, and ground input for moving magnet cartridges, and a separate input for moving coil cartridges. 

There’s a pair of balanced XLR outputs along with a set of unbalanced analog RCAs as well. You have more than enough room for even the thickest interconnects.

Detail, resolution, clarity, dynamics, and presence? 

This little box from Binghamton brings that to the party all day and night.

You can read the rest of our review here.

Pros:

• Very solid build quality
• Loading flexibility
• You can connect two turntables
• Can make digital copies of your records
• A lot of presence, detail, and clarity
• Affordable for a McIntosh product

Cons:

• Gateway drug into the McIntosh ecosystem
• High cost

Where to buy:

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What Are We Listening to In 2025?

With so much interest in vinyl and the market continuing to grow, expect to see reviews of the iFi ZEN Phono 3, Rega Aria V3, Musical Fidelity M6x, Muarah MU-2, Schiit Audio Skoll, and Hegel V10 over the next 6 months.

The Muarah MU-2’s review will drop before the end of 2024 and it proved to be a rather interesting surprise.

Related Articles:

• Best Audiophile Turntables
• Best Phono Cartridges
• View All Editors’ Choice Categories