Read More Audiophile Phono Preamp Reviews
Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamplifier Reviewed
It’s easy, as a columnist, to forget the “why.” Sure, it’s fun to review oligarch audio and even high end into the multiple kilo bucks range, but a vast majority of music enthusiasts just have more important things in life… Read the Review »
iFi Zen Phono 3 Phonostage Reviewed
A key question that many audiophiles who are new to the vinyl space will have been what is the difference between a phonostage and a phono preamplifier? These two terms are often used interchangeably, but the key difference is the… Read the Review »
Schiit Skoll F Phonostage Reviewed
If you’re not familiar with Schiit, they are much more than just audiophile double entendre. Schiit offers a high-value direct consumer audiophile brand, designing and building all of their products in the United States. The Skoll F is Schiit Audio’s… Read the Review »
Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Phonostage Reviewed
In recent years, Pro-Ject have established themselves as one of the biggest players in the affordable vinyl space for audiophiles. Not only do they make high-quality turntables at varying reasonable price points, but they also have a range of phono… Read the Review »
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono Preamplifier Reviewed
A phono preamplifier is a great and often inexpensive way to improve the sound of your vinyl. While many integrated amplifiers and preamplifiers include a phono stage, they often struggle to match the sound of separated components for many reasons, but I suspect the biggest reason… Read the Review »
Boulder 508 Phono Preamplifier Reviewed
Mention Boulder Amplifiers to almost any audiophile and the resulting comments will almost certainly be much the same. These opinions may include world-class performance, impeccable quality, best of the best, big, heavy and, of course, very expensive. None of these… Read the Review »
Pass Labs XP-27 Phonostage Reviewed
Pass Labs has long been known for innovation, build quality, performance and perhaps, to many audiophiles, value. When I reviewed the highly capable Pass Labs XP-17 Phonostage (read the review), I quickly became convinced, enamored even, of the performance and… Read the Review »
Pass Labs XP-17 Phonostage Reviewed
When commercial operations first began in 1991, Pass Labs took the innovative amplifier creations from the kitchen table of founder Nelson Pass and rose to become one of the more respected and awarded audio companies currently in business. In 1994,… Read the Review »
MoFi Masterphono Phonostage Reviewed
Founded in 1977, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, better known today as MoFi, has been a leader in producing high quality, remastered, specially plated and pressed versions of previously released LPs. In the late 1980s, they added uniquely remastered Compact Discs… Read the Review »
PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier Reviewed
When Paul McGowan and Stan Warren founded PS Audio in 1973, their first product was a standalone phono preamp. After several different design iterations, the PS Audio Phono Preamplifier was introduced in 1975. Now, some 48 years later, PS Audio… Read the Review »
Andover Audio SpinStage Phono Preamplifier Reviewed
If you connect a turntable directly to a line-level input on your integrated amplifier or preamplifier, I guarantee you will be disappointed by the sound. Why? Because the signal from a turntable’s cartridge needs to be boosted and equalized to… Read the Review »
Schiit Mani 2 Phono Preamp Reviewed
“This stuff is the Schiit…” That is how the story started for Schiit Audio in 2010 when Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffett decided to combine their years of industry experience into something new. The USA-made Mani 2 is a phono… Read the Review »
All 13 Audiophile Phono Preamp Reviews
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Audiophile Phono Preamp Comparison Chart
Every phono preamp (phonostage) we have reviewed, sorted by price. Click any model to read the full review.
| Model | Price at review | Cartridges | Gain | Loading | Balanced (XLR) | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fosi Audio Box X5 | $109 | MM, MC | 38, 48, 56 or 66 dB | 47k ohms (MM); 100 ohms (MC) | — | Compact, audiophile-grade parts |
| Schiit Mani 2 | $149 | MM, MC, MI | 33, 42, 48 or 60 dB | 47k, 200, 47 or 38 ohms; 47–200 pF | No | Switchable subsonic filter, made in USA |
| Andover Audio SpinStage | $249 | MM, MC | 40.5 dB (MM); 26 dB (MC) | MM 18k–100k ohms, 0–389 pF; MC automatic | No | Dual-mono layout, defeatable 20 Hz subsonic filter, line input |
| iFi Zen Phono 3 | $250 | MM, MC | 36 to 72 dB (four settings) | Four MC load settings | 4.4mm balanced out | Warp-only subsonic filter |
| Cambridge Audio Alva Duo | $349 | MM, MC | 39 dB (MM); 60 dB (MC) | Fixed: 47k ohms (MM); 100 ohms (MC) | No | Headphone amp, subsonic filter |
| Schiit Skoll F | $399 | MM, MC | 40, 50, 60 or 70 dB | 10, 50, 100, 150 or 47k ohms; 50–200 pF | XLR in and out | Fully balanced, remote control, 15 Hz rumble filter |
| Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B | $499 | MM, MC | 40, 45, 60 or 65 dB | 10, 50, 100, 1k or 47k ohms; 50–400 pF | Mini-XLR in, XLR out | Balanced design, external 18 V supply |
| SPL Phonos | $2,999 | MM, MC | MM 36, 46 or 50 dB; MC 56, 67 or 71.5 dB | MC 100 ohms–10k ohms; MM 0–330 pF | No | 120-volt VOLTAiR rails, compact chassis |
| PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp | $3,000 | MM, MC | MM 44, 50 or 56 dB; MC 60, 66 or 72 dB | MC 60, 100, 200 or 47k ohms, or custom 1–1,000 ohms | XLR out | Two inputs, gain and loading by remote |
| Pass Labs XP-17 | $4,500 | MM, MC, MI | 56, 66 or 76 dB balanced; 50, 60 or 70 dB RCA | 10 to 47k ohms; 100–750 pF | XLR out | Single chassis, very low noise |
| Boulder 508 | $5,900 | MM, MC | 44 dB (MM); 70 dB (MC) | 100 ohms (MC); 47k ohms (MM) | XLR only | Billet aluminum, plug and play |
| MoFi MasterPhono | $5,995 | MM, MC (voltage or current input) | 40, 50, 60 or 70 dB | 15 ohms to 47k ohms, plus custom | XLR in and out | Current input for low-output MC, two isolated sections |
| Pass Labs XP-27 | $12,075 | MM, MC | 53, 66 or 76 dB balanced | 30 ohms to 47k ohms; 100–750 pF | XLR | Two chassis, two inputs |
“—” means the spec was not listed in our review. Looking for a turntable to pair with your phono preamp? See our audiophile turntable reviews.
Audiophile Phono Preamp Buyer’s Guide
What Does a Phono Preamp (Phonostage) Do?
A turntable cartridge puts out a tiny signal, a few thousandths of a volt, and it is recorded with the bass cut and the treble boosted (the RIAA curve). A phono preamp, also called a phonostage, does two jobs: it amplifies that signal up to line level and it reverses the RIAA curve so your records sound right. You need one between your turntable and any preamp or integrated amp input that isn’t labeled “phono.”
Moving Magnet (MM) vs. Moving Coil (MC)
Moving magnet cartridges have a relatively high output (around 3 to 5 millivolts) and need about 35 to 45 dB of gain. Most moving coil cartridges have a much lower output (often 0.2 to 0.5 millivolts) and need 55 to 70 dB or more. Every phono preamp in our chart handles MM, and nearly all handle MC too, but check that a model has enough gain for your cartridge, especially if you own a very low-output MC.
Gain and Loading: Why Adjustability Matters
Loading is the resistance (in ohms) and capacitance (in picofarads) the phono preamp presents to your cartridge. MM cartridges almost always want 47k ohms and a specific capacitance. MC cartridges vary widely, and the right load can tame a bright top end or open up a closed-in sound. Adjustable gain and loading, like on the Schiit Skoll F and Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B, let you match the phonostage to your cartridge. Fixed designs, like the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo, trade flexibility for plug-and-play simplicity.
Step-Up Transformers vs. Active Gain
There are two ways to get enough gain for a low-output moving coil cartridge. A step-up transformer (SUT) is a passive device that raises the cartridge’s voltage before an MM input, and many vinyl lovers like its quiet, natural sound. Active MC stages use transistors or tubes to do the same job and are more common in modern phono preamps. Some high-end designs, like the MoFi MasterPhono, even offer a current input made specifically for low-output MC cartridges.
Balanced (XLR) or Single-Ended (RCA)?
A turntable cartridge is naturally a balanced source, so a fully balanced phono preamp can lower noise and hum, especially with long cable runs or high-gain MC cartridges. You will need a tonearm cable with XLR or mini-XLR connectors to get the full benefit. Our chart shows which phono preamps we have reviewed have balanced connections.
Is Your Built-In Phono Stage Good Enough?
Many integrated amps, preamps and even turntables have a built-in phono stage. They can be fine for getting started, but a dedicated phono preamp almost always delivers lower noise, more detail and better dynamics, because it has its own power supply and circuit layout away from the rest of your electronics. In our reviews, even a $109 to $250 phonostage like the Fosi Audio Box X5 or iFi Zen Phono 3 is a clear upgrade over most built-in phono sections.
How Much Should You Spend on a Phono Preamp?
A good rule of thumb is to match your phono preamp to your turntable and cartridge. Under $500 gets you excellent performance for entry-level and mid-priced turntables. From $500 to $3,000, you get balanced designs, better power supplies and more adjustability. High-end phonostages from Pass Labs, Boulder and MoFi make sense for analog front ends costing $10,000 and up. A good phono preamp also deserves good cables and clean power.
How We Test Phono Preamps
Phonostages are fun to review and, in most cases, can be like a preamp with tubes but without gain. We do volume matching in direct comparisons. We like to test multiple turntables, often with different cartridges. This is only the start of our review process. Read more about our editorial policy and review process.
Audiophile Phono Preamp FAQ
What is the best phono preamp for audiophiles?
It depends on your budget and system. For an affordable phono preamp, we like the Fosi Audio Box X5 and iFi Zen Phono 3. For the best value, we like the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B and Schiit Skoll F. Our best high-end pick is the Pass Labs XP-27.
Is a phonostage the same as a phono preamp?
Yes. Phonostage, phono stage, phono preamp and phono preamplifier all describe the same component: the circuit that amplifies a turntable cartridge’s signal and applies RIAA equalization.
Do I need a phono preamp if my amp has a phono input?
No. A phono input already has a phono preamp built in. A dedicated phono preamp is still a worthwhile upgrade if you want lower noise, more detail or adjustable loading for a moving coil cartridge.
Do I need a different phono preamp for a moving coil cartridge?
You need one with enough gain, usually 55 to 70 dB, and ideally adjustable loading. Most modern phono preamps handle both MM and MC cartridges, but some budget models only offer limited MC gain.
What is a step-up transformer?
A step-up transformer (SUT) is a passive device that boosts the low output of a moving coil cartridge so it can be used with a moving magnet phono input. It is an alternative to the active MC gain built into many phono preamps.
How much gain do I need from a phono preamp?
Moving magnet cartridges typically need 35 to 45 dB of gain. Moving coil cartridges usually need 55 to 70 dB, and very low-output MC cartridges (under 0.3 millivolts) may need more.
THE BEST Audiophile Phono Preamp Reviews FROM THE GEAR WE LOVE AWARDS
