6 Best Phono Preamps under $500 – Reviews and Buying Guide

If you are looking to find the best phono preamp under $500, then this just might be the one for you. It is extremely versatile and easy to use. It has three different gain levels, which will allow you to adjust the sound quality based on what your personal needs and preferences might be when it comes to your music. It is an especially compact preamp, and while it does emit a low humming sound when you are not listening to music, it is easy to forget that it is there at all.

The design of this model is especially sleek. It is designed so that it will match whatever type of turntable you decide to match it with, no matter if it is a vintage or modern model. The valves (tubes) for this phono stage can be replaced. This is a nice touch, as these components do tend to age rather quickly if you use the preamp all of the time.

The controls for this preamp are second to none. They are extremely easy to adjust to get the right sound quality for your records. It is also nice and easy to hook this model up, since everything is clearly labeled. This preamp can also be used with either MM or MC cartridges, so there truly is no limit to what types of music you can listen to, with it hooked up to your turntable.

What we liked:

• Can be used with MM or MC cartridges
• Low TDH
• Multiple gain levels
• Easy to hookup

What could be better:

• On the pricey side
• Emits low humming sound

While this is one of the most expensive preamps on this list, it is well worth the money. This is especially true if you are someone who utilizes lots of different turntables and audio systems. What makes this preamp so good for lots of different systems is the large gain range. This versatile system can be easily adjusted to fit pretty much any type of system, including MM or MC cartridges.

The adjustment system is also nice and simple to use. Unlike many other preamps out there, this one has a digital display and a simple to use toggle switch. This makes it quick and easy to find the gain level that your system requires to create the sound quality that you desire. This preamp is also super simple to hookup correctly, thanks to the clearly labeled ports right on the front of the device.

Another key feature of this system is that it can be used with more than just vinyl turntables. While most phono preamps can only be used with turntables, this model can actually be used with CDs. This is pretty much the only preamp at this price level that can handle amplifying the signals created by a CD player, without risking any damage to the preamp.

What we liked:

• Lots of gain settings
• Easy to adjust
• Easy to hookup
• Can be used with MC or MM cartridges

What could be better:

• Large
• Emits low humming noise

If you are looking for a budget pick phono preamp, Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box MM/MC has got you covered. Apart from being affordable, it provides many features. First of all, the manufacture and quality of the design are excellent. The equipment is made with high-quality materials that make it somehow solid. Although it is a small size, it is very dense, and this density adds to its solidity.

However, what we love more is the fact that it works with just about any cartridge. This means less spending for you, and more opportunity to benefit from all your phono preamp’s features. This phono preamp improves sound quality. The latter is much clearer, fuller, and even sounds superior when the volumes are low.

The Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box MM/MC is also user-friendly. It comes with RCA cables and is easy to set up. Making use of the user manual, you will be able to plug and pair your equipment with your other devices, and benefit from a nearly flawless sound.

Furthermore, it delivers high fidelity performance for both moving coil cartridges and moving magnet. This is possible with its low noise, distortion, and flat RIAA equalization curve. For more power, it is capable of a maximum output of 9.5V RMS / 1 kHz.

Unfortunately, we deplore the fact that there are no LED lights to show that the equipment is functioning.

What we liked:

• Affordable
• Excellent sound quality
• Works with any cartridge
• High performance

What could be better:

• No LED lights
• A bit heavy, for a small size equipment

This little phono stage is designed and produced by one of the most premier audio companies in the game today – Emotiva. They have a reputation for making high-quality, but affordable, audio equipment, and this phono stage is no exception. It is an extremely small preamp. The compact design and easy-to-hookup ports make it great for pretty much any audio system that you might have set up.

Even though it is a relatively small preamp, it can still produce great sounds. The preamp itself is nice and quiet, so you won’t need to worry about a bothersome humming sound with this model. It can also be used with either type of cartridge, which only adds to its versatility. Finally, even though this is a smaller size preamp, that doesn’t mean that it is flimsy. It is built to last and has a durable and sleek case, which will help to keep it from suffering any damage if you were to accidentally drop it.

The controls on this preamp are second to none. They are simple to use and allow for a high level of control over the sound quality that will be produced. No matter what you intend to listen to, you will be able to achieve your desired results with some slight adjustments. The THD is also really low for this model, regardless of the cartridge type you want to use.

What we liked:

• Easy to hookup
• Can be used with MM or MC cartridges
• Low TDH
• Easy to adjust

What could be better:

• Doesn’t work as well for MM cartridges as other units

If you are in the market for a phono preamp for a more permanent setup, then this might be a good option for you. It is a bit on the bulky side, and the tubes that are sticking out of the top would raise some serious portability issues. It would be basically impossible to take this preamp with you from place to place without risking damage to the device.

If, however, you are going to be keeping this phono stage in a permanent position, this is a wonderful device. It has a small amount of TDH to go along with a lot of signal-boosting power. It has a gain range of 48 dB, which is one of the highest on the market. Of course, it can only be used with MM cartridges, which will limit the types of turntable systems you can use it with.

This is one of the easiest preamps to setup, thanks to the clearly labeled ports right on the front of the preamp. You will just need to make sure that you have the proper red and white RCA cables, and you will be good to go, as far as setting up your permanent preamp setup goes.

What we liked:

• Easy to hookup
• Low background noise
• Low TDH

What could be better:

• Only works with MM cartridges

One of the biggest issues with a lot of preamps, even the most expensive models on the market, is that they are sometimes quite noisy. This is especially true when you are not using your turntable to listen to music. If you are looking for one of, if not the, quietest phono stages on the market today, then this might be the right model for you. Even when you are not using your turntable, this preamp is extremely quiet. This is because this system has an AC polarity switch that helps to eliminate that annoying hum.

This model can be used with either MM or MC cartridges. It is very simple to switch between the two – all that you have to do is flip a switch on the back of the preamp. Depending on what type of cartridge you are using, this model can provide you with a wide range of gain.

This would also be a great option for a more portable preamp option. It is nice and thin and doesn’t have any protruding tubes to worry about while you travel. This makes it a great option for someone who is going to be going from place to place and setting up a wide variety of turntables.

What we liked:

• Easy to hookup
• Works for both MC and MM cartridges
• Low noise level
• Can be used for recording

What could be better:

• Limited gain range