Are you looking to upgrade the sound of your turntable but don’t know which phono preamp to get? If you have a budget up to $250, there are many great options on the market. The best phono preamp under $250 can help you get the most out of your vinyl music collection. With a quality phono preamp, you will notice a marked improvement in sound quality, clarity, and warmth. It is important to know the features and specs to look for in a phono preamp before making a purchase. This guide will help you find the best phono preamp under $250 for your needs.
Best Phono Preamp Under 250
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Zphono Phono Pre Amplifier
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Parasound Zphono MM/MC Phono Preamplifier with USB
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Rega – Fono Mini A2D MM Phono Preamp & USB A/D Converter
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Pro-Ject Audio – Phono Box DC – MM/MC Phono preamp with line output – Silver
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Musical Fidelity: V90-LPS Phono Stage (Phono Preamp) – Black
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Pro-Ject – Phono Box S2 (Black)
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Cambridge Audio Alva Solo | Phono Preamp for Moving Magnet Turntable
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Rolls Bellari VP549 Phono Preamplifier
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Bellari PA550 Preamplifier
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Schiit Mani Phono Preamp for MC and MM Cartridges
|
7. 2
|
1. Zphono Phono Pre Amplifier
The Zphono Phono Pre Amplifier is an excellent choice for any vinyl enthusiast. It offers great sound quality, and its solid construction makes it a durable and reliable piece of equipment. The adjustable gain settings and RCA input/output ports make it versatile and easy to use. The adjustable equalizer provides excellent sound customization options, allowing you to tailor your sound to your exact preference. The Zphono Phono Pre Amplifier is perfect for any vinyl enthusiast looking for a quality, reliable piece of equipment.
- High-resolution, low-noise analog circuit design
- Powerful Class A amplifier
- Inputs: 2x stereo RCA, 2x stereo XLR
- Outputs: 2x stereo RCA, 2x stereo XLR
- Gain range of 40dB to 60dB
- Frequency response range of 20-20kHz
- Automatic shutoff to reduce power consumption
- Durable aluminum chassis
- Compact size for easy installation
2. Parasound Zphono MM/MC Phono Preamplifier with USB
I recently purchased the Parasound Zphono MM/MC Phono Preamplifier with USB and I am very pleased with my purchase. The sound quality of this preamp is superb – clear, crisp and dynamic. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, making it a great choice for both the beginner and the experienced audiophile alike. In addition, the USB output allows for easy connection to a computer for recording or playback. Overall, this is a well-built, reliable preamp that will provide great sound quality in any system.
- High-performance, stereo phono preamplifier with USB output
- Switchable between MM and MC cartridges
- Ultra-low noise, high-headroom, low-distortion amplifier
- Accurate RIAA equalization
- Fully discrete, Class A gain circuits
- Selectable high-cut filter
- USB output for direct connection to a computer
3. Rega – Fono Mini A2D MM Phono Preamp & USB A/D Converter
I recently purchased the Rega – Fono Mini A2D MM Phono Preamp & USB A/D Converter, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best purchases I have ever made! The product is well-built, with excellent sound quality. It is easy to install, and has plenty of features to choose from. The USB port is a great addition, allowing you to easily transfer your music to any device you choose. The included software is also helpful, as it allows you to customize the sound to your liking. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a high-quality phono preamp. It is well worth the price.
- Rega Fono Mini A2D MM Phono Preamp: provides a low noise and accurate RIAA equalisation preamp suitable for moving magnet cartridges.
- USB A/D Converter: Makes it possible to transfer your vinyl records to a digital format.
- Compact Design: The Rega Fono Mini A2D is designed for convenient use with small desktop setups.
- Built-in Headphone Amplifier: Offers a convenient way to listen to your vinyl records via headphones.
- Rugged Construction: The Rega Fono Mini A2D is built with high quality components, providing years of reliable use.
4. Pro-Ject Audio – Phono Box DC – MM/MC Phono preamp with line output – Silver
I recently purchased the Pro-Ject Audio Phono Box DC and I am so pleased with it! This MM/MC Phono preamp with line output in silver is easy to set up and works very well. The sound is clear and free from background noise and the adjustable gain control allows me to get the exact sound I want. I can easily connect it to my amplifier and turntable for the perfect audio experience. I highly recommend this product for anyone looking for a quality phono preamp.
- MM/MC Phono Preamp with Line Output
- High Quality Components and Circuitry for Accurate Sound Reproduction
- Low Noise Circuit Design
- Separate Ground Connection for More Accurate Sound
- Silver Finish with Detachable AC Power Cord
5. Musical Fidelity: V90-LPS Phono Stage (Phono Preamp) – Black
I recently upgraded to the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS Phono Stage and I’m very impressed with it. The sound quality is amazing and it really brings out the nuances in my records. It has adjustable gain, loading and EQ settings which allow me to tailor the sound to my system. I have a Rega Planar 3 with a Sumiko Blackbird cartridge and this preamp really brings out the best in it. The build quality is also very good and it was very easy to set up. Highly recommended!
- High-grade components and low noise floor for the ultimate in pure, clear sound reproduction
- Inputs for both MM and MC cartridges
- Gain adjustable from 40 dB to 70 dB
- High-quality audio capacitors and resistors for superior sound quality
- Dual mono configuration for increased channel separation and improved stereo imaging
6. Pro-Ject – Phono Box S2 (Black)
The Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 is a great choice for anyone who wants to add high-quality audio to their listening experience. I’m especially impressed with the sound quality, which is clear and detailed, and the built-in pre-amp ensures that you’re getting a great signal. It’s very easy to set up and use, and the black finish looks great. I’ve been using it for a few months now and couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommended!
- Compact, audiophile phono pre-amplifier for all MM and MC cartridges
- High quality components and exceptionally quiet noise floor
- Optimized channel separation and low distortion
- Switchable input impedance and capacitance selection
- Gold-plated RCA inputs and outputs
- Includes a 15 Volt / 500 mA DC power supply
7. Cambridge Audio Alva Solo | Phono Preamp for Moving Magnet Turntable
I recently bought the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo Phono Preamp for my moving magnet turntable and I am incredibly satisfied with my purchase! The preamp offers a great selection of features, including a switchable input impedance and capacitance loading to fine-tune the sound to your exact preference. Additionally, the aluminum case and gold-plated connections provide superior shielding against interference and noise. The sound quality is amazing and I’ve noticed a marked difference in the clarity of the audio. I highly recommend the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo Phono Preamp. It’s a great product that delivers superior sound quality at an excellent price. Highly recommended!
- High-quality phono preamp designed to amplify and improve the quality of the audio from your moving magnet turntable.
- Equipped with a custom-designed amplifier featuring all-discrete circuitry for superior sound quality.
- Easily switchable between moving magnet and moving coil inputs.
- Ultra-low-noise audio design that eliminates unwanted noise and distortion.
- Compatible with both stereo and mono phono cartridges.
- Features a variable gain control with a range of +30dB to -10dB.
- Robust metal housing with a sleek aluminum front panel.
8. Rolls Bellari VP549 Phono Preamplifier
I recently purchased the Rolls Bellari VP549 Phono Preamplifier, and I’m impressed with the quality. The sound clarity is amazing, and it’s able to bring out details in tracks that I didn’t even know existed. The build quality is also top notch, which makes it a great overall product. With the low-noise circuitry, the VP549 is perfect for those who want to get the most out of their vinyl collections. The price point is also very reasonable, making this a great pick for anyone looking for a great phono preamplifier. Highly recommended!
- Dual-Mono Design
- Discrete Input Configuration
- High-Gain, Low-Noise Amplification
- Variable Gain Control
- RCA stereo Inputs and Outputs
- Independent Ground Post Terminals
- Subsonic Filter Control
- 45/78 RPM Switch
9. Bellari PA550 Preamplifier
I recently purchased the Bellari PA550 Preamplifier and I’m very happy with it. It has a simple design and is very easy to use. The sound quality is excellent and I can hear subtle nuances in the music that I was not able to hear with my old preamp. The volume control is smooth and accurate, and the tone control lets me adjust the sound to my personal preference. I highly recommend this preamp to anyone looking for a great sounding preamp at a reasonable price.
- Stereo preamplifier with 55 dB of gain
- High-quality, passive RIAA equalization for accurate vinyl playback
- 3-band tone control and variable low-cut filter for finer audio adjustments
- Inputs include turntable, tape, microphone and aux sources
- Outputs include line level, headphone, and preamp output
- 2×25-watt power amplifier with low-noise power supply
- Front panel headphone input and level control
- Front panel power switch with LED power indicator
- Rugged steel chassis and chassis-mounted connectors
10. Schiit Mani Phono Preamp for MC and MM Cartridges
I recently purchased the Schiit Mani Phono Preamp and I’m very impressed with the quality it produces. The sound reproduction is excellent and I’m able to easily switch between MC and MM cartridges with ease. I’m also impressed with the design and build quality of the unit. It’s solid and looks great on my shelf. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and I’m really enjoying it. It does a great job of amplifying my records, and I’m able to get a nice warm sound with plenty of details. Overall, I’m very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone interested in upgrading their phono preamp.
Features of Schiit Mani Phono Preamp for MC and MM Cartridges
- Switchable MC/MM Phono Preamp with Passive RIAA Equalization
- Switchable Gain Settings of 40 dB, 43 dB, and 46 dB
- Input Impedance Settings of 47 kOhms/100 pF and 100 Ohms/220 pF
- Selectable Subsonic Filter of 15 Hz or 18 Hz
- Dual-Mono Design Utilizes Low-Noise Op-Amps
- Front-Panel Polarity Reversal Switch
- Protects Against DC Offsets, RF Interference, and Infrasonic Distortion
- Gold-Plated RCA Connectors
- Requires 9 VAC External Power Supply (Included)
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
