The BEST Phono Preamps Under $500!

At Audio Advice, we are loving the vinyl revolution. We started out in 1978 setting up turntables and never stopped! For those of you just entering the fun world of vinyl or those of you getting back into it, one item that may be a bit confusing is the phono preamp. This is a critical piece to your vinyl set up, but does have its technical side which without a proper education, can be a bit daunting. In this video, we’ll first explain why you need a phono preamp and then we’ll conclude by recommending 5 great phono preamps that won’t break the bank and come in under $500.

The first thing you should think about is that there are two main types of phono cartridges: Moving Magnet and Moving Coil. As a general rule, most entry level to moderately priced turntables come with a moving magnet cartridge. Moving coil cartridges have about 10 times less output than a moving magnet, meaning they need a phono preamp capable of amplifying the lower signal from a moving coil. However, these are preferred by audiophiles and music lovers because they are able to extract more information from the record grooves.

Audio Advice has over 20 options for phono preamps in this price range so there are plenty more options to check out as well. If you have questions on any of these products or any other audio gear, feel free to give us a call, chat on our website with one of our experts, or stop into our Raleigh or Charlotte, North Carolina locations.

[martybrazill]

I just started seriously diving into vinyl and I'm hooked. Thanks for producing this video!

[vibingwithvinyl]

I'm using the ART Precision Phono Pre and am quite happy with it.

[whenpiratesattack]

I am too poor for this hobby but I absolutely love learning about it. I have an extremely budget set up an would love a Rega Planar 3 one day!

[Projectaudiosystems]

Thanks for featuring two of our preamps!

[Diatonicth]

I’ve heard the Pro-Ject DS2, it’s a great preamp for the money. I would also recommend the Puffin by Parks Audio for $450. I picked one up for my second system and was completely blown away by the sound. It gives my much pricier Sutherland preamp a run for its money!

[burp]

These are my go to toys at the budget end.I got bigger toys at the far end where cost is not a concern. But these budget ones are giant killers.
No 1. Project Tube 12AX7 Box S2.
No2. MOFI Studio Phono Preamplifier..
No3. Graham Slee Signauture 2 Phono.

My budget awesome cartridges.
Denon 103R MC cartridge. Goldring E3 cartridge. Ortofon 2M RED. NAGOAKA MP150.

I rotate these cartridges along with my assorted budget & high end Turntables & Phono preamps & Low capacitance cables from Van Den Hull / Audioquest / Atlas .

[pennfootball]

Would be cool if you did one for phono under 1500 and under 3000 too

[chrisharper]

Cambridge features a switching mode power supply to further reduce noise? Since when have switchers become quieter that linear regulators? No mention of RIAA equilization?

[sabastiantaylor]

I’m surprised any of the Schitt phono preamps are not on this list.

[oldson]

like the video but i have a query! during the section on the cambridge audio solo unit you state that it has a "switch mode power supply to further reduce noise". since when did this type of psu reduce noise???? they usually induce noise, from what i have learned.

[glennchaffin]

Love the reviews and advice from you guys. I'm setting my old Realistic Lab 500 turntable up again. I've added an Ortofon 2m red. I want to listen to my old half speed mastered vinyl. I know I will want to use a preamp to send the signal to my Onkyo TX RZ50 ahead of my Emotiva power amps. Any suggestions as to the best preamp option for my my vintage turntable? Thanks.

[lordlesliefacistol]

I just started in vinyl collecting and starting from scratch in turntable set up. Just a question is the Audio Technica AT-LP60X a Moving Magnet or Moving Coil cartridge? Is my question right? Hope

[rnrmolon]

New to turntables. Is it better to have a built-in preamp in the turntable compared to a free-standing one (like the ones featured in the video)? Will using a regular amp/receiver (the ones used in stereo systems) be better than using a free-standing one? Will these affect sound quality?

[paulhitdrums]

Hi, thanks for the nice video!
I will probably buy a Rega planer 2 or a Pro-Ject turntable. A preamplifier must also be added because the turntable is 6 meters away from the amplifier. This receiver does have a preamplifier, but the distance is probably too great.

I am thinking of you mentioned Cambridge One. Is that a good one for this situation, or do you have another tip? Greetz from the Netherlands!

[maddog]

Two things came to mind after watching this video. 1) No Schiit Mani? This is literally one of the best phonostage values out there. 2) Switch-mode power supplies are basically a downside and are well known as noise producers. Any phonostage without a linear PSU is nonsense in my book considering that these devices are a) very sensitive to noise, and b) relatively low power. No excuse..

[junglejamesie]

"(Moving coil cartridges) are preferred by audiophiles and music lovers because they are able to extract more information from the record grooves..." Opinion NOT fact. The profile and shape of the stylus determines how much information can be heard.

[IREMEMBERNOW]

So I recently purchased the fluance rt85 table with the 2m blue stylus. Trying to decide on a suitable preamp for this setup. Any suggestions? 300-400$ is my window. Thank you. Joe

[crowsonthedock]

Lots of Schiit love in the comments…I had the Mani and it was fine. If you only have a $150, it is a good bet. If you have a little more money (models range from $189 - $529), I would get a Darlington Labs phono preamp. I sold my Mani as soon as I got my Darlington; it made the Mani sound like a toy.

[baronofgreymatter]

What if my integrated has a phono pre-amp? I have a Yamaha AS2200 integrated

[djsoulfilter]

The best ultra budget phono preamp that I’ve used is the Art DJ Pre II