Getting the best pre-amplifier is like getting two birds with one stone. In fact, if you are pretty much tired of listening to sonic differences and would love to sample through some amazing preamps to see what works best for your ears, then you are reading the right post. We scoured the internet to find some of the most popular preamps in the market that will deliver impeccable performance, even for the most discerning listeners. Go ahead, take a look!

Cambridge – CP2

Key Features:

• Only consumes 1 watt on standby making it very eco-friendly
• Phono pre-amplifier is built with a moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) input stages
• Comes with a single-ended ‘Class A’ gain stage with an RIAA passive audiophile equalization
• Has discrete transistors that are ideal for important input stages (not the more common integrated circuits)
• Features a balanced control design that delivers a fine correction on cartridge imbalance

Ask any music and sound enthusiast and they will tell you that there is something amazingly pleasurable about putting your old records on and playing to the tune of the vinyl sound. Simply put, you cannot achieve that same nostalgic feeling with digital media and the reason is simple. Vinyl is simply super authentic when compared to digital media. However, the Cambridge CP2 MM/MC Preamp brings back the thrill of the turntable with its moving coil phono and moving magnet that are designed to fit the bill for high-end preamp quality for a real nostalgic feeling. It comes in a compact size that features a multi-parallel capacitor that guarantees amazing RIAA accuracy with up to 50 kHz. Plus it’s compatible with both MC and MM phono cartridges with discrete CP2 transistors that come with a multiple parallel capacitor and CP2 touts that balance all sorts of cartridge imbalances. Built with the same detail and texture that analog is known for, Cambridge’s CP2 Preamp is attractively designed for practicality featuring a thick aluminum brushed metallic chassis that delivers acoustic dampening for high quality sound.

Emotiva Audio SP-1

Key Features:

• High quality precision phono preamp supports both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges
• Precision switching relays add virtually no noise or distortion when switching line level inputs
• Features three line level inputs and a precision phono preamp, DAC, or pre/pro
• Upgrade your Emotiva Stealth DC-1 to a complete modular digital and analog preamp
• Can be controlled by the Stealth DC-1 remote control or the included compact IR remote control

Have you been searching for a flexible phono preamp that supports both moving magnet and moving coil inputs? Well, the search is over. The Emotiva Audio SP-1 Input Selector and Phono Preamp comes with a versatile set of components designed to increase the flexibility and input capabilities, all wrapped up in a Stealth DC-1 preamp. It features an analog line level input that delivers a DAC connection to replace three new line level inputs for high quality phono preamp precision. Plus since the Emotiva Stealth SP-1 Phono Preamp supports both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges, you also get selectable load impedance that comes with the moving coil input. What’s more is that the coil cartridge follows an RIAA equalization path for superb reliability no matter how you use it.

NAD PP4

Key Features:

• Uses your existing high quality vinyl playback system
• Quality audiophile ripping
• Comes with a new version of AlpineSoft’s VinylStudio Lite ripping software
• Ability to transfer your valuable vinyl collection to a PC or Mac
• Has settings for both MM (moving magnet) and low output MC (moving coil) types
• Connects your turntable to most amplifiers, receivers and PC’s

Looking to get an exciting and immersive HD feeling with your sound? Then get your hands on the NAD PP4 Digital Phono USB Pre-amplifier. Without a doubt, this preamp with quality audiophile ripping is the easiest way to digitize your records. It features great sophistication that allows you the luxury of enjoying your vinyl LP collection through your normal stereo system while also giving you the option to record your LP’s into modern digital formats. With NAD’s award-winning MC phono preamp, the PP4 delivers high quality analog-to-digital conversion, not to mention its convenient USB interface that lets you transfer your valuable vinyl collection over to your hard drive. It also features a line input that lets you transfer your cassette tapes as well. With a modest power consumption that is less than one watt on standby mode, the NAD PP4 Preamp is not only versatile but also energy efficient. As a complete software and hardware solution to vinyl conversion, this digital phono USB preamp stands out as a winner.

Hafler PH50

Key Features:

• Contains a variable high pass filter to eliminate rumble
• Ultra-low noise transformerless design
• Provides “plug and play” that’s easy to set up and use
• Features a phono stage for moving magnet cartridges
• Has a compact design with an adjustable low cut filter

Built for high performance, the Hafler PH50 Phono Preamp delivers an original transit program material that minimizes audio distortion to preserve the original sound. After all, the PH50 builds on top of Hafler’s 50 year-old tradition of manufacturing quality audio equipment. This phono preamp for moving magnet cartridges comes with a noise reduction features that gets rid of the common problems that affect the 33 RPM recording chain. Plus it includes gold-plated input and output RCA connectors that pair up nicely without tarnishing. It also comes with low cut and high pass filters that are fully adjustable, allowing you to reduce low frequencies and get rid of resonance while playing your best music at high volume levels. Simply put the Hafler PH50 compact and “plug and play” phono pre-amplifier is designed for reliability as it also features a front panel control that’s flexible and convenient for dynamic high performance.

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL

Key Features:

• Accurate RIAA to beyond 80kHz incredible noise ratio low-impedance output
• Features state-of-the-art SMD technology
• Beautiful aesthetics and build quality
• Comes with adjustable input impedance on MC during play
• Adjustable capacitance on MM while it is playing
• Fully balanced XLR and traditional RCA inputs and outputs
• Isolated inputs allow for switching between two turntables at once

The Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Balanced MM/MC Phono Pre-amplifier boasts of the renowned RIAA correction that offers extremely accurate results that go way beyond the 80 kHz quality mark. Fully balanced with a capacity to operate with almost any moving magnet cartridge or coil, this pre-amplifier brings on an amazing high phono stage performance. It comes equipped with highly durable traditional RCA inputs, not to mention a unique XLR that fully balances simultaneous cables that can be connected on the MX-VYNL with two turntables. Basically, this phono preamp delivers a wide range of input impedance as well as capacitance settings for magnet units that are unlike any other in the market. Furthermore, this phono pre-amplifier allows you to adjust the settings with ease while playing. This means you can experiment any time while tuning to find the optimum settings no matter what equipment you have. As much as it may sound extreme, when going over 20kHz there is a great deal of information that needs correction and that is why Musical Fidelity’s MX-VYNL comes with a low-noise exceptional overload margin that’s capable of handling demanding cartridge tasks thereby delivering top-notch entertainment to any discerning listener.