Budget MC Phono Preamps Ranked from WORST to BEST!

Emotiva XPS-1 Gen 2
Pro-ject Tube Box S
Hagerman Bugle2
Douk Audio T4 PLUS
Schiit Mani

[VinylRescue]

I use the Mani for my Denon DL-103R and I think it sounds great. I don't have another preamp that has the MC mode to use so I can't compare. I have two Manis - one for each of my main turntables and the Denon is my only low output MC cart. I have the Ortofon MC-3 Turbo, but it's a high output MC and it can be used on any MM preamp. But like you said everyone hears music differently.

[PeterBeens]

I wonder how the new Douk Audio T4 PLUS would place in this ranking.

[pure]

When you say budget preamp, of course you mean a preamp for MM. Judging a mani by its MC performace is not a good way to determine its value. Even shciit says that the MC mode is an after thought. If you need real MC performace you should look elsewhere for higher end hardware. The mani is a very balenced preamp in MM mode and well worth its valve for MM alone.