What Phono Preamp is the best for my setup?

[Crmzen]

Hello all, first time poster. I would love to have some suggestions on a phono preamp. I’m struggling to find what people would recommend as the best for under $1000. I’m not a super technical person so I’m struggling. Any help would be good!

My current setup:
Technics 1210GR
Nagaoka MP-500
Fosi Audio V3 Mono
Wharfedale Linton 85th Heritage

If there is anything else you would like to ask. Please let me know!

 

[USER]

Hello all, first time poster. I would love to have some suggestions on a phono preamp. I’m struggling to find what people would recommend as the best for under $1000. I’m not a super technical person so I’m struggling. Any help would be good!

My current setup:
Technics 1210GR
Nagaoka MP-500
Fosi Audio V3 Mono
Wharfedale Linton 85th Heritage

If there is anything else you would like to ask. Please let me know!

With that Nagaoka the most important thing is the loading. You want approximately 200pF total. So, depending on the capacitance of your cables (likely between 100-150pF), you want a phono preamp that can go as low as 50pF. Other than that you want good channel matching and as flat of a frequency response as possible. Good overload handling makes such a preamp superlative.

See these measurements for more info:

• MP-500 1
• MP-500 2

The Schitt Mani seems like an affordable option that will work with that cartridge. Those $1000+ preamps you may have looked at are likely not better.

Schiit Mani 2 Review (Phono Stage)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $149. Naturally the unit looks like other Schiit products and seems to even have the previous Mani skin given the lack of "2" designation in the front. Fortunately...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Classic Audio makes the most exquisite and ultra high performance phono preamps that I have seen in a long time. Check to see if their MM options meet your needs.

Classic Audio MC Pro Phonostage Review

This is a review and measurements of the Classic Audio MC Pro by Michael Fidler. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $850 (£650/€750). As non-fancy enclosures go, this is pretty nice looking and with some unusual features such as low frequency blending to reduce noise, mono switch and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you are looking for something high-tech, with DSP, declicking, and other interesting options, look at the Parks Audio Waxwing.

 

[Crmzen]

With that Nagaoka the most important thing is the loading. You want approximately 200pF total. So, depending on the capacitance of your cables (likely between 100-150pF), you want a phono preamp that can go as low as 50pF. Other than that you want good channel matching and as flat of a frequency response as possible. Good overload handling makes such a preamp superlative.

View attachment 383239View attachment 383240

See these measurements for more info:

• MP-500 1
• MP-500 2

The Schitt Mani seems like an affordable option that will work with that cartridge. Those $1000+ preamps you may have looked at are likely not better.

Schiit Mani 2 Review (Phono Stage)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $149. Naturally the unit looks like other Schiit products and seems to even have the previous Mani skin given the lack of "2" designation in the front. Fortunately...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Classic Audio makes the most exquisite and ultra high performance phono preamps that I have seen in a long time. Check to see if their MM options meet your needs.

Classic Audio MC Pro Phonostage Review

This is a review and measurements of the Classic Audio MC Pro by Michael Fidler. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $850 (£650/€750). As non-fancy enclosures go, this is pretty nice looking and with some unusual features such as low frequency blending to reduce noise, mono switch and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you are looking for something high-tech, with DSP, declicking, and other interesting options, look at the Parks Audio Waxwing.

Thanks for your in depth response! The Schiit seems like the best choice for me. But what should I do about volume control as both the Schiit Mani and Fosi Audio Mono’s don’t have it.

 

[thunderchicken]

The classic audio was out of my budget, but I’ve been really happy with the Cambridge Duo. One thing to note, there’s no external way to change loading.

 

[Holmz]

The classic audio was out of my budget, but I’ve been really happy with the Cambridge Duo. One thing to note, there’s no external way to change loading.

There is also the concept of RCA “T” with the loading soldered on.

 

[USER]

Thanks for your in depth response! The Schiit seems like the best choice for me. But what should I do about volume control as both the Schiit Mani and Fosi Audio Mono’s don’t have it.

You need a preamplifier. I don't know of any phono preamplifiers with volume control off the top of my head. I'm sure someone here knows of one.

The classic audio was out of my budget, but I’ve been really happy with the Cambridge Duo. One thing to note, there’s no external way to change loading.

I like my Cambridge Duo as well. In fact, it is mine that Amir measured here:

Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Stage Review (Updated)

This is an updated review of the Cambridge Audio Duo phono preamplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $349. The Duo has a solid build and is attractive to boot for its price. Back panel shows independent sets of inputs for moving magnet and coil cartridges: I like the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

When I only need 100pF I prefer it to my Manley Chinook at nearly 10 times the price.

 

[Chrispy]

My ART Phono Plus does have a gain adjustment....but I wouldn't call it a volume control.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Parks Audio Puffin / Waxwing has wide gain setting and volume control, by why anyone needs a volume control in a RIAA I. Am not sure. Normally the RIAA output goes to pre amp or integrated amp that has volume control, or an active speaker that should have some volume setting/control too…

How does @Crmzen control volume today? There is NO volume control I can see in the equipment list…

 

[Crmzen]

Parks Audio Puffin / Waxwing has wide gain setting and volume control, by why anyone needs a volume control in a RIAA I. Am not sure. Normally the RIAA output goes to pre amp or integrated amp that has volume control, or an active speaker that should have some volume setting/control too…

How does @Crmzen control volume today? There is NO volume control I can see in the equipment list…

It’s a new setup. I’m using a Topping D50 III DAC with volume control. My old speakers Kanto TUKs had volume control. Didn’t know I needed a preamp too in this setup only used a phono before in the old one.

 

[Crmzen]

You need a preamplifier. I don't know of any phono preamplifiers with volume control off the top of my head. I'm sure someone here knows of one.



I like my Cambridge Duo as well. In fact, it is mine that Amir measured here:

Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Stage Review (Updated)

This is an updated review of the Cambridge Audio Duo phono preamplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $349. The Duo has a solid build and is attractive to boot for its price. Back panel shows independent sets of inputs for moving magnet and coil cartridges: I like the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

When I only need 100pF I prefer it to my Manley Chinook at nearly 10 times the price.

I found a preamp on Schiits site called SYS with volume control. Seemed perfect as it’s only $50.

So I ended up ordering the Mani 2 and SYS. Thanks for your recommendations!

 

[Balle Clorin]

Very interesting setup, small and cost effective, impeccable measurements. Please give us a report when you have been listening

 

[Crmzen]

Very interesting setup, small and cost effective, impeccable measurements. Please give us a report when you have been listening

Thanks, I selected everything very carefully. I’ll do my best, if I’m able to!

 

[Glarioo]

I have a Technics 1200GR turntable with Ortofon Blue and an Cambridge Alva Duo. Very happy with it.

Cambridge Audio ALVA Duo Moving Coil & Moving Magnet Phono Preamp

Squeeze every inch of detail from your record collection with our highest quality moving magnet and moving coil phono stage, with integrated headphone amp; the Duo Phono Preamplifier.

www.cambridgeaudio.com

Cambridge Audio Duo Phono Stage Review (Updated)

This is an updated review of the Cambridge Audio Duo phono preamplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $349. The Duo has a solid build and is attractive to boot for its price. Back panel shows independent sets of inputs for moving magnet and coil cartridges: I like the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[fuqxit]

i think that 1210/mp500 deserves something better than that. i'd look at the Darlington pres. i'm an mm6b user and it is very nice with many adjustments.

 

[Multicore]

Hello all, first time poster. I would love to have some suggestions on a phono preamp. I’m struggling to find what people would recommend as the best for under $1000. I’m not a super technical person so I’m struggling. Any help would be good!

Hi @Crmzen Welcome to ASR.

I got the ART Precision Phono Pre and I think it's great! Amir tested it and I chose it on the basis of that test. If you compare its performance with that of the best cartridges in the most carefully controlled tables and arms, it's clear you won't noticably improve the signal coming from the cart by spending hundreds more on the preamp.

So I suggest you save yourself $900 and devote that to your collection of vinyl. For ethical reasons I advocate buying used vinyl so that means you need to invest also in cleaning, not just money but time and love.

 

[DSJR]

i think that 1210/mp500 deserves something better than that. i'd look at the Darlington pres. i'm an mm6b user and it is very nice with many adjustments.

Please define 'better' and don't you dare say 'Better sounding'

 

[jmchrislip]

The PYXI