Phono stage: TOP 5 best phono stage

“Vinyl is a work that is pleasant to the touch”

Everything forgotten sooner or later returns, albeit in a slightly different form, but still. Vinyl records are back in fashion again. But such a once affordable product is today valued and bought by true music lovers and those who love high-quality sound. To play vinyl records you will need special equipment; in this article we will talk about the best phono stages.

Such a device is a necessary thing for a person who loves “vinyl” and is a true music lover. By replacing the phono stage, you can update and modernize the entire audio system. It is thanks to him that the sound will become unusual and individual.

In simple words, the device allows you to convert sound from a vinyl record, which is not recorded in the same quality as, for example, the sound from a CD. Of course, you can connect the turntable without this device, through an amplifier, but the sound will be too quiet and it will be almost impossible to hear it even with the volume control turned up to maximum.

Some models of inexpensive turntables have a built-in phono preamplifier, however, the quality of the sound produced differs from their stationary counterparts. Some models of devices have independent phono stages, which, if desired, can be replaced with more powerful and high-quality ones.

Summary table of brief characteristics

Our TOP includes the following models:

Model	Circuit design	Type	Weight
Cambridge Audio Duo	semiconductor	phono stage, stereo	950 g
Pro-Ject Phono Box DS2 USB	semiconductor	preamplifier-phono stage with built-in ADC	1500 g
clearaudio Nano Phono V2 H	semiconductor	phono stage, stereo	500 g
BEHRINGER MICROPHONO PP400	semiconductor	phono stage, stereo	180 g
Pro-Ject Tube Box S2	lamp	phono stage	410 g

Below is a detailed description of each.

Best Phono Stages of 2022: From Budget to High-End

Buying Guide to the Best Phono Preamps: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s review of the best phono preamps you can buy in 2022.

A phono stage (aka phono stage) increases the output power of your turntable to make it compatible with modern amplifiers. At the same time, it adds standardized equalization.

So why do you need it? Your player also doesn't have one, in which case you won't be able to play recordings without it. Or maybe you just want to enhance the sound beyond the capabilities of the built-in preamp.

As with many product categories, models span all kinds of price ranges. But whether you're looking to save money or break the bank, we've got the phono preamp for you: We've used our extensive catalog of reviews to select the best right now, so you can be sure you're buying quality.

Our pick of the best turntables for every budget

Rega Fono MM MK3

Reasons for purchase

Detailed, simple execution
Precise handling of timing and dynamics

Updated, sleeker design

Reasons to avoid

Nothing
The Rega Fono MM MK2 was one of the best phono preamps available, so to say there were high hopes for its successor would be an understatement. Luckily, he meets them and then some. The design has been tweaked within just one inch of its lifespan, making the product much sleeker while maintaining the winning simplicity of its predecessor. The MK2's award-winning sound now has greater dynamic range and greater clarity, making its already fantastic performance even better. The best phono stage for sound quality.

Read the full review: Rega Fono MM MK3

Cambridge Duo MC/MM

Reasons for purchase

Full-bodied, warm presentation
Good times, good dynamics

Looks great and fun to use

Reasons to avoid

Not enough power
Well, this is certainly a handsome guy. With an offset volume dial, minimalist styling, and mirrored back markings that are easy to read even when looking over the top of the device, it's clear that a lot of thought has been put into this device. No less attention is paid to sound quality. The presentation is indeed very good, spacious and coherent, and the sound is dynamic and precise. It doesn't quite match the Rega Fono MM MK2, but it certainly has its own thing, making it certainly worth considering.

Read the full review: Cambridge Duo MC/MM

Edwards Audio Apprentice MM

Reasons for purchase

Decent amount of detail
Good timing and dynamic range

Blends music together well

Reasons to avoid

Nothing at this price
Great-sounding phono preamps under £100 are rarer than hens' teeth, so we're delighted to see another entrant in the field. Sure, it's small and fairly basic in appearance, but every effort has been put into the internals: they give the song's vocals just the right amount of richness without overwhelming them with bass. He also has a great sense of timing. One of the best budget phono stages.

Read the full review: Edwards Audio Apprentice MM

Rega Fono Mini A2D

Still one of the best phono stages at this price.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

The music is excellent
Bags of space and parts for the price

Ability to copy vinyl

Reasons to avoid

Nothing to see
More than half a century since its debut, it is still one of the best phono preamps under £100 money can buy. The tracks are full of excitement and enthusiasm, as well as musicality and dynamics. And since it has a USB output, you can also use it to digitize your vinyl record collection.

Read the full review: Rega Fono Mini A2D

Moon 110LP v2

A reliable entry-level phono stage with a musical sound.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Smooth, refined presentation
Spacious stereo imaging

Impressive fit and finish

Reasons to avoid

Less convincing with moving coil cartridges
It doesn't have the sharpest name, but the 110LP v2 does a great job of enhancing the performance of your vinyl. The neat aluminum body is made to Moon's high standards and is switchable, meaning it can handle both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges.

As long as you keep it away from other mains-powered devices and power cables, this phono stage will be quite quiet and silent. The specs are basic, but it's clear that Moon has focused on the important element - sound quality.

Thus, the Moon 110LP v2 is one of the best phono stages of its kind at this price. It works especially well with moving magnet cartridges, producing a smooth, smooth, and refined sound with satisfying punch. If you're looking for a quality, affordable phono preamp, this little box is worth a try.

Read the full review: Moon 110LP v2

Communicator Graham Slee Gram Amp 2

Even though the competition has improved, Gram Amp still stands the test of time.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Best part in its class
Brilliant synchronization

Expressive sound

Reasons to avoid

Not the last word on weight or impact
Another oldie but still a goodie, the Gram Amp 2 lasts a full five years after it first burst onto the scene. And you can see why - simplicity is key here, an approach that is surprisingly dated. This is a moving magnet phono stage, with one set of inputs, one set of outputs, and no bells and whistles. The sound quality is top notch: fantastic detail, especially impressive highs. There's also an optional linear audio upgrade to the PSU1, a 24VDC power supply that evens out variations from the home power supply. It will cost you a little more, but if you want to improve on this already great budget model, it's worth it.

Read the full review: Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator

Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS

The exciting Musical Fidelity phono stage deserves to be heard.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Open, rich presentation
Smooth dynamics

Vocal performances by Ace

Reasons to avoid

Lack of energy and drive
Servicing moving magnet and moving coil cartridges is a rarity at this price, and doing it with such aplomb is even rarer.. It has a lot of features - some of them may be overkill, but this phono stage still works with great pleasure. Its sound is impressively spacious and rich, with plenty of bass. It's not exactly the best option in this price range, but it's certainly high.

Read the full review: Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS

iFi Zen Phono

An ambitious, clean-sounding entry-level photo scene.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Clean, detailed work
Well balanced

Lots of features

Reasons to avoid

Not the best timing
The IFi Zen Phono is a welcome addition to the ranks of decent entry-level phono preamps that keep your recordings clean. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to find something that performs better in terms of clarity at this price.

As you'd expect from a company with a solid reputation in the sector, the iFi Zen Phono is well built. It is suitable for moving magnet cartridges, but can also work with moving coil cartridges. It's also worth noting that the balanced circuit reduces noise and crosstalk, a feature less common at this end of the market.

The main attraction here is the sound. It's clean, but it never crosses over into clinical practice. If the goal of the game is to reproduce every note, perhaps with a little polish, Zen Phono wins. The balance is also excellent.

This product doesn't offer the same level of enthusiasm and dynamism as some of the options listed above, but we can't help but fall in love with its honest sonic character. For this reason it is worth listening to.

Read the full iFi Zen Phono review

Chord Hui

Chord's expertise shines through in this beautiful phono stage.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons to buy

Clear and smooth sound
Impressive build

Neat design

Reasons to avoid

Lacks dynamism
Chord's excellent DACs may steal many of the headlines, but let's not forget the company makes analogue amplifiers. This phono stage looks and feels like the part, with unbalanced stereo RCA jacks for input and output, and a balanced XLR output. Setup is a bit complicated and there is a wide range of settings to become familiar with, so we recommend having the instruction manual handy.

If you have a talented enough turntable. , you will get good results from Huei. Good overall sound balance, good level of understanding and an open, stable and pleasing stereo image. It's not as dynamically expressive as the top money players, but it's a solid performer that should be taken seriously.

Read the full review: Accord Hui

Rega Aria

Reasons for purchase

Excellent understanding
Lots of possibilities

MC Boot Settings

Reasons to avoid

Nothing important
Keep this file more durable than elegant, although it is well made and designed to last. It works with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, so it's more versatile than many others. The sound is responsive and agile, as you'd expect for the price, but it's the sense of composure that really sets it apart from smaller devices. A great all-rounder, worthy of being paired with a reasonably talented turntable.

Read the full review: Rega Aria

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL

Reasons for purchase

Impressive transparency
Clear and flexible presentation

Impressive build and finish

Reasons to avoid

Nothing at this level
It really is a very user-friendly device with very easy to use controls. Luckily, this isn't its only strength - the sound is surprisingly transparent and detailed, digging out low-level instrumental threads and sonic textures with ease. There's a fluidity to it that makes rivals seem mechanical in comparison. And he doesn't hold back when it comes to biting and attacking. An excellent balance of attitude and sophistication.

Read the full review: Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL

Rega Aura

Rega's premium phono stage is what you need.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Dynamic and engaging presentation
Impressive detail resolution

Amazing build

Reasons to avoid

No selection of alignment curves
Incompatible with moving magnets

Rega as a brand tends to focus on the more affordable end of the hi-fi market, but when it decides to go big the results are usually impressive, as the Aura phono stage proves. This is not a Swiss army knife designed only to get the most out of moving coil cartridges. Those with moving magnets will have to look elsewhere.

This is not as big of an issue as it might seem, given that most cartridges that will be used with the Aura will be the correct type. Once the cartridge is optimized with the correct electrical load, you'll find that Aura lets your turntable sing, creating a sound full of excitement and drive. Rarely have we met such an entertaining performer. The Rega Aura isn't cheap, but on a talented enough system it's worth all that money and then some.

Read the full review: Rega Aura

Vertere Acoustics Phono-1 MkII

One of the best phono stages we've heard at this price.
SPECIFICATIONS

Reasons for purchase

Dynamic, entertaining performer
Impressive resolution

Rhythmic consistency

Good range of settings

Reasons to avoid

Simple appearance
No shine value

That's not to say there's much to see on the Vertere Acoustics Phono-1 MkII, but if you're looking for a phono stage somewhere around £1,000 you need to give it an audition. It's a brilliant performer for the money, with a useful array of features and settings that should help you get the most out of any cartridge. Its detailed musical sound is a pleasure to listen to.

Read the full review: Vertere Acoustics Phono-1 MkII

Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2

Reasons for purchase

Balanced, insightful sound
Expressive dynamics

Rhythmically steady

Reasons to avoid

Distant object poorly marked
Low off-axis display contrast

Front panel buttons seem fuzzy

The remote control allows you to fine-tune your audio as easily as changing the TV channel. Or at least it should - while it's a welcome innovation, the remote could be more clearly labeled since only a few buttons actually control the phono preamp. Or Cyrus could make a separate remote for this unit. But there's a lot of input here, the sound is very talented, and it's full of texture and insight. Highly recommended.

Read the full review: Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2

Pathos In The Groove

Reasons for purchase

Improved sound
Cartridge loading adjustment

Fine fit and finish

Reasons to avoid

Nothing
Paphos is known for its vibrant designs, so we were a little disappointed to see it In The Groove. A bit conservative, isn't it? However, you can't deny that this feels like a premium kit. It sounds great too - there's a sweetness to the presentation and the balance is smooth and rich. It all adds up to a versatile phono stage that you'll be proud of in a variety of different systems.

Read the full review: Pathos In Groove

Aesthetix Io Eclipse

Reasons for purchase

Natural, informative sound
Exquisite design and build

Reasons to Avoid

Requires caution when using
Lack of flexibility

Takes up a lot of rack space

£17,000 for a phono stage? It may be crazy money, but then it's a crazy good unit. The sound is out of this world if you pair it with some decent turntables, that is. The mids are beautifully layered, the treble is full of insight, and its ability to convey low-level dynamic shifts is truly mesmerizing. If you want one of the very best, this is for you.

Read the full review: Aesthetix Io Eclipse

Phono stage Burmester 100

Reasons for purchase

Smooth, dynamic, informative sound
Modular nature

Excellent build

Reasons to avoid

No choice of alignment curves
Switching between moving magnet and moving coil cartridges is as simple as flipping a switch, which is welcome since the expensive kit isn't always user-friendly. It boasts almost every feature on our wish list, including an included test recording for fine-tuning your balance. What about the sound? There's plenty of energy, but without sacrificing the warmth we've come to associate with Burmester. It's every inch as good as you'd expect for £9,000.

Read the full review: Burmester 100 Phono Premplifier

Why do you need a phono stage?

Many have never encountered such a device, so they ask a logical question: “What is it for?” The whole point is that initially the signal is recorded on the record with a strong level decline in the low-frequency portion of the audio range. Accordingly, there is an increase in the high-frequency region. That is why such a signal needs some restoration, so to speak. The majority of records are recorded according to the RIAA standard. Accordingly, one specific type of correction curve is used. This is where a phono stage comes to the rescue, whose main task is to level this very line. It is worth noting that previously record manufacturers used different curves, so sometimes you may need a machine that can align any type of curve. Well, the secondary purpose of the device is to amplify the incoming signal. Thus, the sound becomes louder and more spacious.

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Built-in or external?

Phono preamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as built-in and external. Some new turntable models are equipped with a built-in phono stage. Its availability does not depend on the cost of the player, but is only a technical decision of the manufacturer. If you're not sure whether your turntable has a built-in phono stage, just try connecting it to your speaker system. If you hear a normal volume level without distortion, then you already have a phono stage, which means there is no point in using an external one.

Previously (before about 1980), phono stages could be built into amplifiers or speaker systems. If you are a fan of retro equipment, then look for the inscription “LINE OUT” on the rear panel next to the input connectors. Found it? Congratulations, you are the owner of a device with a built-in phono stage. Most new amplifiers and receivers do not have this feature.

Since about 1990, the phono stage has ceased to be built into stereo equipment, minimizing production costs, which was associated with a decline in interest in vinyl players and a massive transition to digital.

With the revival of interest in vinyl, the need to manufacture phono preamps has again arisen, but in most cases as a separate device. Audiophiles, as a rule, prefer to use an external phono stage. This is due to the problems that come with sharing a single power circuit for the turntable motor and the very sensitive phono circuits. However, if the built-in phono stage has a separate power supply and a good shielding system, then problems can be avoided.

Following this logic, an external phono stage should theoretically provide better sound quality, since it has its own separate power supply and is also not influenced by many other stages, including power amplifiers. In fact, not everyone will notice the difference in sound after using a built-in or external phono stage. The choice is always yours.

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