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Turntables and vinyl records are having a big resurgence in popularity these days, which is why you need to get yourself a phono preamp if you are building a sound system in your home. However, sometimes these devices are not required, as these days many record players already incorporate a preamp.
Serious audiophiles prefer turntables that can be used with an external preamplifier, because it means they can buy one that is perfectly suited to their individual requirements. It is possible to find preamps of much higher quality, and at very reasonable prices, than those that are already integrated into record players. In this guide we tell you everything you need to know to find the option that is best for your individual requirements.
Contents
Key Facts
- Phono preamps are small devices that should not be underestimated, despite their tiny size and rather basic appearance. They are primarily used for converting the phono signal of a turntable, so that it can be played on home speakers. As with most audio gear, you can spend a lot of money if you want something that is top quality. However, there are also some great options that only require a moderate financial outlay.
- Phono preamps are also widely used in the world of professional recording, and depending on the audio gear you have, you might find other uses for it too.
- If you are not very familiar with sound systems, you might not know much about phono preamps. No need to worry though, they are usually very easy to use. When making your purchase, there are several key factors to keep in mind, such as the power rating, frequencies and other specifications that we will cover in this article.
Our Selection: The Best Phono Preamps
To give you an overview of the range of phono preamps currently available on the market, in this section we present you with the best products available right now. They all offer great value for money, have positive customer reviews, and are made by respected manufacturers.
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know about Phono Preamps
If you are considering buying a phono preamp, it is essential that you have a solid understanding of how these devices work, and their main characteristics. So that you can find out everything you need to know, in this section we answer the most frequently asked questions about phono preamps.
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What are phono preamps and how do they work?
The audio signal that is emitted from a turntable is very low (up to 1000 times weaker than that of a CD player). This means that it must be boosted to reach the standard line level (also known as AUX) that modern amplifiers require. In basic terms, it connects a record player to an amplifier, by converting the phono signal to a line level signal.
A phono preamp applies the RIAA equalization curve to the signal emitted from a turntable, returning it to its original shape. We will not go into too much technical detail about this topic in this guide. However, it is important to know that you must buy a phono preamp that has the RIAA standard, so that you can enjoy your music with the best possible sound quality.
What are phono preamps used for?
- Common record player and amplifier configuration: The turntable is connected to a preamp (either integrated or external), which is then connected to an amplifier or receiver that powers either headphones or speakers. This is the most common configuration for using a record player.
- Simplified configuration of a turntable and amplified speakers: The turntable is connected to a preamp (either integrated or external), which is connected directly to amplified speakers. This configuration can only be used with powered speakers.
- Record player and computer configuration: The turntable is connected the preamp (integrated or external), which is connected to your computer with an audio cable. If your turntable has an integrated preamp with a USB port, you can connect it directly to the computer using a USB cable.
- Old stereo system configuration: This is the method that was used when turntables were first manufactured. The record player was connected directly to a stereo system with an existing phono input. From there the audio would be played on connected speakers or headphones.
Audiophiles always choose the first system, as this setting allows greater control over the sound and equalization. This audio configuration requires four separate devices, working in a chain as follows:
Turntable → Phono Preamp → Amplifier → Speakers or Headphones
What types of phono preamps are available?
MM (moving magnet) cartridges use a needle and a pair of magnets, which send the signal to the coil. In the case of MC (moving coil) cartridges, the needle works directly with the coil. This system is much more precise at collecting information than an MM cartridge. However, it has a much lower output level.
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Most turntables use MM cartridges because they are much cheaper, however an MC cartridge with an external phono preamp will give the best audio quality. This table sets out the information more clearly:
| MM Phono Preamp | MC Phono Preamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Output Level | Higher | Lower |
| Millivolts (mV) | Up to 7 mV | Between 0.3 and 2.5 mV |
| Amplification Required | Less | More |
| Price | Low to Moderate | Moderate to High |
Who should buy a phono preamp?
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Investing in a quality phono preamp is key to getting the best sound quality in your audio chain. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, in order to get a great product. All the options we reviewed earlier in this article offer great value for money.
What are the advantages of an external phono preamp, over an integrated preamplifier?
Buyer’s Guide
As the majority of phono preamps offer the same basic functionality, there are not too many complicated criteria you need to understand. In this article, we will not go into overly technical aspects that can get a little confusing. In order to find the option that is best for you, from the wide range of products available on the market, just keep the following factors in mind when making your purchase:
Power
The unit of measure for rating power in the world of audio is measured in watts (W). However, you need to be very careful when considering this rating, as many manufacturers exaggerate the specifications of their products to try and boost sales. As a general rule, a higher power rating will give better results, as long as your speakers and amplifier are capable of utilizing it.
When buying products online, it’s not possible to test them for yourself. However, even if you were to purchase a phono preamp in a physical store, you still wouldn’t be able to try it out, since it would be impractical to take all your audio gear into the shop. That’s why following recommendations from other buyers, or reading guides such as this one, is the best way to be confident you a purchasing a quality device.
Signal to Noise Ratio
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compares the signal power level to the noise power level. Most commonly, it is measured in decibels (dB). A higher signal-to-noise ratio will generally mean better sound quality, since there is more useful information (signal) than unwanted information (noise).
As long as the signal level is strong, and well above the noise level, you can expect high-quality audio that is clear and precise. You should definitely avoid buying any audio equipment with a low SNR.
Total Harmonic Distortion
The total harmonic distortion specification compares the input and output audio signals, with the difference between the two measured in percentage. This type of calculation requires a little math, but all you need to know is that the percentage represents the deviation of the output signal. A lower percentage is always better.
A certain amount of harmonic distortion is inevitable, but in reality, it is barely noticeable because these days manufacturers create devices with distortion specifications that are in small fractions of a percentage.
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Frequency Response
Frequency response is often shown on a graph as a curve. It describes how a device responds to sound within a frequency range, and is measured in hertz (Hz) along the “x” axis of a graph, with the sound pressure level (SPL) measured in decibels (dB) along the “y” axis of a graph.
Most manufacturers list specifications on their products that cover a minimum of 20 Hz to a maximum of 20 kHz, which is within the frequency range humans are capable of hearing. The frequency response, together with the signal-to-noise ratio and total harmonic distortion, will largely influence the stability and overall quality of the sound.
Speaker Output
Many phono preamps include an output for connecting directly to speakers or headphones. This is typically an audio jack port that is clearly labelled “output”. However, some models, especially more expensive ones, do not include this type of output, as they focus solely on preamplification.
Summary
A phono preamp plays a very important role in a sound chain, especially in a high-fidelity audio configuration. This is why it is worth investing is a high-quality dedicated device. If you are an audiophile and you are planning on building a new sound system, don’t overlook one of these devices. This piece of gear will give you the best possible sound quality, when using a turntable to play records.
Although it is no longer necessary to use a dedicated phono preamp, because these days most record players are shipped with an integrated preamp, it will always be a better option to buy an external one. Purchasing all your sound gear separately gives you greater flexibility to gradually assemble and configure your sound system, in addition to improving it over time.
We hope this shopping guide helped make your purchase process easier. If you enjoyed reading this article, please leave us a comment below and be sure to share it with your friends and family!
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