Watts is the standard measure for power. Though most electrical appliances have labeled Watts, you need to be cautious as most manufacturers aren’t trustworthy to boost sales. The phono preamp technology remodels intentional rich sound after it leaves your favorite vinyl record. So whether you’re starting out or just upgrading your sound system, investing in a good phono preamp is delivering the promise of excellent sound. Besides, you don’t have to break the bank to get the best. This is a cost effective version of the Fono MM and based on the phono amplifier as used in the Brio- Ramplifier.

For a frequency response of 20 Hz–20 kHz, this turntable preamp offers a natural and defined rich sound profile. Why it made the cut: With great sound, and a built-in USB connection, this phono preamp makes sure your analog audio is ready for the digital age.The award-winning and highly appreciated Rega Fono Mini A2D MKII is a preamp that perfectly blends cost and performance. It doesn’t cost a fortune, but it sounds and performs like it does. Moving Magnet (MM) The Fono Mini A2D amplifier offers exceptional performance and incredible value for money and promises to be a valuable addition to any hi-fi set up. Furthermore, Rega works very well with turntables and amplifiers, producing bold and powerful strokes. All these are thanks to the well-timing and dynamics offered by MK3. You can read more about this in our Do I Need a Preamp article. What is the difference between PHONO and LINE?

Ripping vinyl with this preamp is effortless because any digital editor can use it. This makes the fine Audacity software very flexible instead of a controlled self-designed program. Performance The Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 sounds even warmer and smoother than the Rega Fono Mini A2D and I love it. Without missing great dynamics and details. It is absolutely fantastic. So far, I have not experienced any downsides with a tube phono preamp, if I look away from the fact that it has to warm up for a few minutes before it sounds great. But I was well aware of that. I bought the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 after a year or so researching affordable tube phono preamps, and it is now my default phono preamp. Why it made the cut: With a wider-than-normal feature set for an entry-level phono preamp, the Zen delivers MM and MC capabilities with selectable gain, a smart subsonic filter, and even an additional 4.4mm balanced out, all while sounding remarkably nice.This a the same multi award winning product in a new updated restyled case to bring it in line with the restof the Rega range. Many manufacturers currently sell receivers that can receive a phono signal or even make turntables with an inbuilt phono preamp. Truthfully speaking, the inbuilt version is more convenient. It allows you to listen to music with fantastic sound quality with the least baggage in your chain.

Compact design is an asset I value very highly as I simply don’t have the space in my home for a very large Hi-Fi setup; thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sound quality. So, you want to get into vinyl, eh? You will need a turntable, of course. But will it work with your current audio system? The Rega Fono Mini A2D phono preamplifier will make sure it does. If you’re a DJ, you should pay attention to the ease and convenience of carrying the turntable preamp to your countless gigs. Preferably, find a tiny one that fits with other equipment in the bag or get one that comes with its carrier bag.The USB output on the front face of the Fono Mini offers the ability to transfer your vinyl onto computer, allowing you to have access to the music when you might not have access to the turntable. If you’re out and about then the USB transfer on the Fono Mini A2D lets you store the digital version of the vinyl record onto any portable music device, or if you’d like the ability to edit music, then you can with the Fono Mini, all whilst keeping the great sound of vinyl.