[4K] 300€ vs 50€ Phono Preamp - Cambridge Audio Duo vs DJ ART Pre II

Does it worth upgrading ? DJ Art PRE II is well known for being the best bang for the buck little phono preamp. Cambridge Audio DUO on the other side has great reviews and one of the best measurements on the market.

Gear used for this recording :
- Turntable : Technics SL 1700 MK1
- Cartridge : Glanz MFG 11R
- Preamps : DJ Art PRE II / Cambridge Audio DUO
- Soundcard : MOTU M4
- Track : Klone - Yonder

According to you, which one is the best phono preamp ?

00:00 Preamp A
00:31 Preamp B
01:00 Preamp A
01:32 Preamp B
02:00 Preamp A
02:34 Preamp B
03:01 Preamp A
03:30 Preamp B
04:00 Preamp A
05:16 Preamp B
06:17 Preamp A

[scorpven]

I have the Art DJ Pre but using a 12 volt DC linear power supply which made a good difference, it replaced a Cambridge Azur 540p which I sold. Currently connected an Ortofon 2M black on a Technics Sl1200 Mk1. I am very impressed by the sound vs price. For reference I have 2 other TTs, SL1200 Mk2 and Luxman PD121 both outfitted with MC carts on Schiit Mani and Project original Tube Box with upgraded tubes respectively. I also returned an iFi Zen Phono preamp because I didn't think it sounded better than the Schiit Mani. Low price does not always reflect low quality, Art Pro is popular in the entry level pro world, they can offer low prices due to their economy of scale. If it wasn't for manufacturers like them and Behringer many artists would not have a shot at exploring their talent.

[Nanoo]

Thanks for this comparison. The sad reality is that YouTube compresses the crap out of the audio so any difference will be hard to tell. Best way to do this is to post uncompressed FLAC or WAV files somewhere.

FWIW, the Duo sounds a little more open and defined.

Sad I'd never heard of Klone before but I've got to go check them out. Thanks for the intro!

[hotter]

Fantastic song by the way ! You can really hear the nuance of the opening vocals and reverb with both pre amps, great job, great rip !

[SoberAlcoholic_]

I don't really care which one sounds better (I came here cause I want to buy the Art DJ) because of this song...is so beautiful that I forgot why I was here at the first place

[lucasdurand]

Fantastic review, I just bought the DJ Art preamp and I can feel it's a good & clear phno preamp I haven't auditioned the cambridge preamp though.

[juriyn]

Great test! Thank you! Will you be testing the new ART Precision Phono Preamp?

[Ldn]

I have both and although the DJ Pre is great bang for buck the Duo is noticeable better. I am using Focacl Stellia so perhaps can hear a bit more detail than most. The Duo produces up more detail, picks up less background noise which is rarely mentioned but I think really important, generates less harsh highs (as someone else commented a more mellow an balanced sound).

[yambo]

The DJArtIIpre has been my first choice for awhile now and ive tried a few - the DJpreII is the best sound and bang for the buck going especially with adjustable gain, cart switch and low cut filter, I have two of them and love them along with an also great sounding TC750 and a budget Kinter PR400 which for its LOW price sounds amazing clear and well defined - I will say I run all my pre-amps off a separate linear transformer based power supply from parts express and this may improve my results somewhat.

[thecatgyp]

My daily driver is a Pioneer PL117D with an Audio-Technica AT-VMN95ML - using the ART Pro Audio DJ PRE II Phono Preamplifier ( 12 volt PSU) connected to a DBX 3BX Series II, the Behringer Ultragraph Pro FBQ3102 and my Pioneer VSX 933 - strictly for playing my vinyl collection - Ive wondered about swapping or upgrading but i cant imagine finding something comparable producing a noticeable difference.

[calvinnapier]

With the Cambridge it was like a blanket was took off the speakers. I have the Art and have been considering replacing it, now I know I have to!

[rossbennett]

TBH I can hardly make out any significant difference between the two. I'd expect now I can save a bit money :-) Maybe the Cambridge gives a slightly mellow sound.

[gman]

The ART wins on flexibility . Being able to match the gain exactly …. Can’t even do that on some phono stages 10 times the price

[bulibasha]

From the specs The CA Duo would kick DJ Art ass... But sounding so close, is hard to tell them apart. I find the Duo a little finer in the higher spectrum. But that's it... :)
What can you tell about the SNR, is the Duo much quieter or humm free when the needle is not tracking?!

[yambo]

The Cambridge may well have a small edge, but not discernable enough here for me to spend twice or more as much as the ART, I have the art and feel its one of the best sounding and best quality items in its price range ive bought in a looong time.

[syanhc]

The Duo has a beefer, meater tonality. The DJ sounds a bit thin in presentation.

[petko]

B (the Duo) is the better. No doubt. 😎

[fivex]

No way this is an actual comparison. There's almost no difference. I've heard both of these in person and they don't sound nearly alike as the do here. Also, audio science has done a review on both of them and the Alvo duo and solo out perform the Dj Art II in every way.