Best Phono Preamps

Updated January 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
ART
USB Phono Plus
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Bottom Line

An excellent solution for those in need of digital outputs for transferring analog audio to digital.

Pros

A hybrid that serves as both preamplifier, and audio interface, this unit has a handy selection of analog and digital I/O, making it the ideal solution for transferring your record collection to digital formats.

Cons

This preamp does not include an AC adapter and relies on power via USB.

ART
DJ PRE II
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Bottom Line

Simple operation and elegant design, housed in a heavy-duty case. Looks great next to your turntable.

Pros

Features switchable input capacitance between 100pf and 200pf, with a low cut filter switch on the front panel to make sure your audio is pristine. The smooth lines of the heavy-duty black anodized case also look great on anyone's stereo rack.

Cons

The unit is not built with a power switch, and therefore has a very bright blue power light that does stay on all the time.

Best Bang for the Buck
Pyle
PP999
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Bottom Line

This preamp's rugged design and quality operation is even backed by a 1-year warranty.

Pros

Simple, strong, and elegant design, without any power LED (an annoyance for equipment that can't be turned off). The Pyle will raise any weak phono-level signal to line level, and even includes a 1-year warranty.

Cons

Some customers have reported a hum at higher volumes, due to poor grounding.

GOgroove
MINI Phono Preamp
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Bottom Line

For those tight on space, the GOGroove provides quality operation for the most discerning audiophiles, in an ergonomic case.

Pros

With this preamp's compact design, you'll be able to hook it up in even the most cramped spaces of your rack. The 1/4" TRS Output really helps to make sure that you are sending only the highest quality audio signal.

Cons

The higher frequencies can tend to dominate. There might not be enough bass if that is what you are shopping for.

BEHRINGER
MICROPHONO PP400
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Bottom Line

High-quality components combined with exceptionally sturdy construction remind you why Behringer is a leader in the audio industry.

Pros

Clear audio with boosted signal housed in a compact, yet very attractive, heavy-duty steel casing. It does have a power light, but it is a less-intrusive amber light than comparable models.

Cons

Included power adapter is not the best quality. Some customers have experienced intermittent clipping caused by voltage spikes.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

32 Models Considered
7 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
289 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

There’s been a huge resurgence of vinyl records, and turntables are back in vogue. While the look, feel, and smell of vinyl is a draw, it’s the richer quality of sound that attracts users. However, the signal coming from the record player cartridge is a thousand times lower than a CD player signal, so to boost it through your speakers, you’re going to need to amplify it. Phono preamps do just this by plugging into the turntable via cables. There are 2 types of preamps that correspond to your cartridge, which will be either MM (moving magnet) or MC (moving coil), so check the manufacturer’s specifications to make the right choice. Phono preamps are a very affordable way to boost your vinyl listening enjoyment.

The team that worked on this review
  • Elaine
    Elaine
    Writer
  • Enid
    Enid
    Editor
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
×

ART

DJ PRE II

ART

DJ PRE II

Simple operation and elegant design, housed in a heavy-duty case. Looks great next to your turntable.
$49
×

Pyle

PP999

Pyle

PP999

This preamp's rugged design and quality operation is even backed by a 1-year warranty.

$14
×

GOgroove

MINI Phono Preamp

GOgroove

MINI Phono Preamp

For those tight on space, the GOGroove provides quality operation for the most discerning audiophiles, in an ergonomic case.

$27
×

BEHRINGER

MICROPHONO PP400

BEHRINGER

MICROPHONO PP400

High-quality components combined with exceptionally sturdy construction remind you why Behringer is a leader in the audio industry.

$24
×

ART

USB Phono Plus

ART

USB Phono Plus

An excellent solution for those in need of digital outputs for transferring analog audio to digital.

$85

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