Best Phono Preamp For Turntables [2023]: Top 3 For All Setups

A turntable without a solid phono preamp is pretty underwhelming. After all, how could you take your talents and skills to the next level if you can’t produce the best quality music?

It’s a fact that investing in good equipment, no matter what profession you’re in, is a great way to ensure that you are performing at the highest level. With good equipment, you’re able to produce good music that your audience will go crazy for.

In this case, a great phono preamp is crucial to getting the best out of your record player, especially if you spend money on a really good one.

Imagine the perfect performance… You’re out there rocking the stage and producing amazing music for hundreds, if not thousands of listeners. Do you think that beautiful visual I just planted on your head can be made possible without a great phono preamp?

Probably not.

The whole point of having a preamplifier for your turntable is to maximize the sound that the turntable produces. It’s a widely accepted fact that turntables naturally don’t have enough punch to create loud music on their own — think acoustic guitar performances in front of hundreds of people.

As a musician, you know that you need a preamp for your turntable, the only question is what kind, which is best, and where to buy his is why it’s important for you to secure a high quality phono preamplifier to get the best out of your turntable.

And because we want you to spend your time doing what you do best, we’ve listed down the top 3 products to get you up and running as soon as possible. Let’s dig in!

Top 3 Best Phono Preamp For Turntables in 2023

#3: ART DJ PRE II

This preamp is particularly designed for home or studio use. You can record your music easily with this high quality preamp produced by ART Pro Audio.

As one of the best companies in the industry, ART Pro Audio made the DJ PRE II as a small compact device that packs a great punch audio-wise. It has a built-in low noise phono preamp circuitry feature that is extremely accurate and on point. The quality is also in line with the RIAA standard.

Make no mistake about it that this phono preamp is a ‘budget’ buy, which makes it a favorite for beginners or those that don’t want to spend big just yet. It works great with the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC.

The hardware is solid, with great features all around.  One thing you have to take note of though is that the DJ PRE II doesn’t have its own on/off switch. The only way you can turn it on OR off is by plugging or unplugging the device. This was done to make the preamp light, compact, and convenient to use.

For Whom This Product Is?

If you want an affordable, and premium quality phono preamp that’s packed with RIAA EQ, then the DJ PRE II is something you should consider.

PROS

  • Affordable
  • High accuracy
  • Low noise
  • Variable preamp gain
  • Excellent chassis
  • Clip indicator

CONS

  • Lacks power switch

#2: U-Turn PLUTO

Yet another ‘under $100” phono preamp that made our list; the Pluto preamp is one that you should buy if you want to take things to the next level.

Made by the reputable U-Turn, the Pluto phono preamp is modestly priced at $99. It weighs 2.1 pounds and is made of high quality materials that gives off an elegant and modern look.

Beyond aesthetics, Pluto is a low-noise phono preamplifier that is particularly made for moving magnet cartrdiges. The main selling point of this product is its ability to accurately boost the turntable’s signal. It ensures that everything goes perfectly well during amplification.

According to U-Turn, Pluto features a single high-performance gain stage, as well as a subsonic filter. These two features are primarily used to remove low-frequency noise. It’s beautifully made to ensure that only the necessary sounds come out of your turntable.

Pluto is one of the most bang-for-your-buck phono preamps for turntables in the market today. Learn more about it here.

For Whom This Product Is?

Whether you’re an audiophile or a beginner this phono preamp is a perfect choice for you. It has easy setup, low resonance, two speed and impressive performance.

PROS

  • Low resonance
  • Two speed belt drive system
  • Built in preamp
  • Easy setup
  • Noise-free operations
  • Anti-skate properties

CONS

  • Belt is not up to the mark

#1: BEHRINGER MICROPHONO PP400

And last, but definitely not the least, is the Behringer Microphono PP400.

Imagine a phono preamp that gets everything right and fulfills all the basic requirements of a preamp plus a couple of awesome features. Add in the fact that it looks good and is built to last. Doesn’t it sound promising?

This killer phono preamp made by Behringer is truly one of the hottest preamps in the market right now. With nearly 500 positive reviews on Amazon (and counting), it’s one of the best picks you can make if you’re in the hunt for a phono preamp.

The product promises no noise, crisp sound quality, and longevity. Many budget phono preamps won’t last you the year, but the Behringer Microphono PP400 has gotten great reviews in terms of durability and quality. You just can’t go wrong with this proven and greatly raved about brand.

This is one phono preamp that you must consider if you want to take your turntable skills to the next level.

For Whom This Product Is?

This is quite suitable for the audiophiles and best for those who’re looking for a device that has high fidelity sound production.

PROS

  • Clean sound
  • High quality
  • Strong buildup
  • No distortion
  • Easy setup

CONS

  • Not so long lasting

The Bottom-line

To be honest, you really can’t go wrong with any of the phono preamps on our list. You have quality, price, durability, all factored in. It’s now up to you to go with what you feel is the right fit. Good luck on your decision.

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