The Best Budget Phono Preamps Under $300

In today’s video, I discuss and review budget phono preamps!

Get some of these notable phono preamps today while supplies last (see below):

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[deanturnbull]

The Mani does have the RFI issue but from my experience it comes down to choice of Phono cable/s.

I had the same RFI issue. So....i swapped out my hi end custom vintage phono RCA cables (at the Phono in stage) for a pair of Clearway Analogues by the Chord Company. Includes Dual layer heavy gauge foil shielding!

Presto... No RFI issues!! My Mani is now able to shine as it was intended and for the price, it's a very very sweet upgrade to many standard 'on board' phono stages.

So for all Mani owners who are suffering from the dreaded RFI, do yourself a favour and go get a pair of clearways. They will also take your listening/playback experience to another level in their own right. Ty Chord!

[inko]

The Mani is my end game preamp until Schiit comes out with something else. I never experienced the RFI issues, but read plenty of reviews that people did experience this problem.

[VinylandKicks]

for my main setup i use a vintage Japanese mid '70s JVC receiver that has two phono outputs built in it already the receiver is a beast that creates awesome high fidelity.for my room i use the ART DJPREII Phono Preamp that can be purchased for around $60 and produces really nice sound for price point and competes with other pre-amps in the $100-150 price range definitely best bang for buck phono pre-amp.

[bbmousedoowop]

I've been using a Mani / Loki combination with at ATLP7 turntable and an Ortofon Bronze cart for over a year. The setup is dead quiet. I'm using the stock power cords. No background noise. No radio interference. I'm very happy.

[terrywho]

I've owned many phono preamps, from the very inexpensive to ones that cost about $1k. Under $100, the Art DJ Pre II offers the best bang for the buck once you replace the power supply with a noise free or linear, regulated supply. Under $300, it's an easy choice: the Hagerman Bugle 3.

[michaeladams]

Currently use Schiit mani phono amp. No issues with RF interference. Previously owned Cambridge cp. 2 find the Schiit to be more open and detailed

[Raj-gnxm]

I've got my old Sony PS-X5 with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge running into the Schitt Mani and a NAD amplifier. The Schitt has worked perfectly for almost two years.

[dobermanguy]

I ordered that mani preamp I've heard nothing but good things about it if I was you I would call up the company and tell them what's going on maybe they can help you

[amarketing]

I have the Vincent Pho-8 and look forward to your review of the PHO-701

[gcahill]

Started using a Darlington Labs MP7 as a replacement for a Rega Brio built-in phono stage. Sounds good but not knocking me out. I’m on the fence. I also use a Pro-Ject phono Tube Box S2 with Mullards. I like one since it has a lot of gain switches.

[chackalsjc]

I have a Cambridge Duo and I really like it. My favorite feature is the integrated 1/4" output.

[rosswarren]

Wow, been 2 years already. Would be interesting to hear your take on the upgraded $149 Mani v2 one day and compare it to the popular $199 iFi Zen Phono.

[stephen]

I have only just come across your video and I found it very informative and really like your presentation, so I subscribed, keep up the good work.

[owenlaprath]

Good luck buying a Mani! I tried, and they were out of stock, with no estimate when they would deliver and charge my credit card. I HATE dealers with those surprise charges 1/2 year later, when I forgot about it. I tried contacting them, but there is NO phone number, and email response was NONE. Between crappy (non-existent) response until I requested cancellation (which was probably a canned bot-email), various problems that users report, and that nasty way of charging my card whenever they send the box at their leisure, Schiit is NO company I want to deal with.

[_Vinyl-zsfe]

Simple I’ve been considering for a while. Thanks for the video and recommendations. I currently run a cheap little bear preamp from Amazon. And I’m running a Denon DP 65F turntable. So upgrading the preamp, cartridge, and speakers (Edifier Bookshelves) Are all on my list of to do’s!

[catminister]

My Pioneer PL-117D turntable is fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge and is setup independently of my surround sound system on my Pioneer AVR VSX-933 - I decided not to use the inbuilt phono input and instead connected it via another aux port using an Art DJ Phono Preamp, which was connected to a vintage DBX 3BX Series II Expander, which was connected to a Behringer FBQ 3102 EQ

[DalstonVinyl]

I use an iFi Zen Phono, driven by an external linear power supply. It's definitely in the budget pricerange, but I get great results, albeit using a cartridge costing x6 more than the phonostage.
Adrian in London England.

[RCJP]

I started low- Pyle. Purchased and use Bellari vp549. Still pretty entry but it digs details out- I’m happy- don’t know any better. Fascinated by the Vincent 2 pc tube phono. Are the tubes accessible?

[behunt]

I’ve asked 4 people…4…and not a one of them could explain to me what the job of a preamp actually is. Then I found your channel and this video. 11 minutes later I have all the info I need to make my purchase.

Great video and great channel!

[danilofeliciano]

Thank you for the research, I've been using the Schiit Mani for about 18 months and have been quite happy with it, no issues so far, this video has provided me with some good options should I encounter any issues.