Phono Preamps

A record player's needle makes a very small signal. A phono preamp boosts it to the level an amplifier or powered speaker expects on its line input. Many record players have one built in. You need a separate one in two cases.

  • Your record player has no built-in preamp, like the Fluance RT82, Fluance RT85 and Rega Planar 1, and your amplifier or speakers have no phono input.
  • You fit a moving coil cartridge. Its signal is smaller again, so it needs a preamp with an MC setting, even on a record player with a built-in MM preamp.
MM / MC phono preampMM / MC

For moving magnet (MM) cartridges

These take moving magnet cartridges only, the type fitted to most record players.

For moving magnet and moving coil (MM and MC) cartridges

These have a setting for each type, so they also suit a moving coil cartridge.

  • Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B phono preampPRO-JECTPhono Box DS3 B
    Pro-Ject

    Phono Box DS3 B

    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC (10–1000 Ω (stepless))
    Outputs
    RCA and XLR
    Power
    external 18V/500mA DC
    Size (W×D×H)
    206 × 194 × 72 mm
    See it on Pro-Ject 
  • Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 phono preampPRO-JECTPhono Box RS2
    Pro-Ject

    Phono Box RS2

    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC (10–1000 Ω (variable))
    Outputs
    RCA and XLR
    Power
    external 20V/3A DC
    Size (W×D×H)
    206 × 200 × 72 mm
    See it on Pro-Ject 
  • Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 phono preampPRO-JECTPhono Box S2
    Pro-Ject

    Phono Box S2

    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC (10 Ω, 100 Ω, 1 kΩ)
    Outputs
    RCA
    Power
    external 18 V DC/500 mA
    Size (W×D×H)
    103 × 115 × 36 mm
    See it on Pro-Ject 
  • Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra phono preampPRO-JECTPhono Box S2 Ultra
    Pro-Ject

    Phono Box S2 Ultra

    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC (10 Ω, 100 Ω, 1 kΩ)
    Outputs
    RCA
    Power
    external 18 V DC/500 mA
    Size (W×D×H)
    103 × 119 × 37 mm
    See it on Pro-Ject 
  • Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 phono preampPRO-JECTTube Box S2
    Pro-Ject

    Tube Box S2

    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC (10 Ω, 100 Ω, 1 kΩ, 2 kΩ)
    Outputs
    RCA
    Power
    external 18 V/1000 mA DC
    Size (W×D×H)
    103 × 131 × 73 mm
    See it on Pro-Ject 
  • Thorens MM 008 ADC phono preampTHORENSMM 008 ADC
    Thorens

    MM 008 ADC

    • USB recording
    Inputs
    MM (47 kΩ) and MC
    Outputs
    RCA and USB
    Power
    external plug-in supply 24V DC
    Size (W×D×H)
    150 × 117 × 50 mm
    See it on Thorens 

We take these details from the makers' own websites and check them carefully, but makers change parts and part numbers, and we may miss an update. Before you buy, check the part on the maker's official website. If you spot an error, please tell us.