Best Phono Preamp (Phono Stage) Picker

The best phono preamp for your cartridge and turntable.

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Perfect for turntable owners without built-in preamps needing clean amplification.

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We ask for cartridge type, budget, gain needed, tube vs solid state, and features to select preamps with low noise and proper loading for your cartridge. These inputs prevent distortion and maximize dynamics. Limitation: tube preamps add warmth but may introduce slight noise.

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Recommended Phono Preamp

For a Moving Coil High Output cartridge within the $400-$800 range, I recommend the following preamp:

1. Rega Fono

• Price: $595
• Gain: 60 dB (MC)
• Why it's quiet: The Rega Fono utilizes high-quality components and a well-designed power supply, which minimizes noise and distortion. Its solid-state design contributes to a clean, clear sound, making it ideal for high output MC cartridges.

Key Features:

• Subsonic Filter: Yes
• Solid State Design: Yes

Alternatives

2. Schiit Mani

• Price: $149
• Gain: Up to 70 dB (MC)
• Why it's quiet: The Schiit Mani is designed with a focus on low noise and distortion. Its solid-state circuitry ensures a clean signal path, making it suitable for high output MC cartridges.

Key Features:

• Subsonic Filter: Yes
• Solid State Design: Yes

3. iFi Zen Phono

• Price: $199
• Gain: Up to 60 dB (MC)
• Why it's quiet: The iFi Zen Phono features advanced noise filtering technology and a solid-state design, ensuring low noise levels and a clear audio signal. It is also highly versatile, accommodating a range of cartridges.

Key Features:

• Subsonic Filter: Yes
• Solid State Design: Yes

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