The amount that you should spend on a phono preamp depends on a number of factors, including your budget, your audio system, and your own ears. However, a good general rule of thumb is to spend at least 20% of the cost of your turntable on a phono preamp.
If you have a budget turntable, you can still get a good phono preamp for under $500. However, if you have a more expensive turntable, you may want to spend more on a phono preamp with better features and build quality.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding how much to spend on a phono preamp:
- The quality of your turntable: A better phono preamp will make a bigger difference in the sound quality if you have a better turntable.
- The rest of your audio system: If you have a high-end amplifier and speakers, you will want to invest in a better phono preamp to get the most out of your system.
- Your own ears: Ultimately, the best way to decide how much to spend on a phono preamp is to listen to different phono preamps and see what sounds best to you.
Here are a few specific phono preamp recommendations for different budgets:
- Under $500: Schiit Mani, Pro-Ject Phono Box E, Cambridge Audio Alva Solo
- $500-$1000: Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra, Rega Fono MK5, iFi Audio Zen Phono
- $1000-$2000: Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE, Cambridge Audio Alva Duo, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B
- Over $2000: Manley Labs Chinook, McIntosh MP100, Parasound JC3+
If you are serious about vinyl playback, it is worth investing in a good phono preamp. A good phono preamp can significantly improve the sound quality of your vinyl playback system and make the music more enjoyable to listen to.
However, it is not necessary to spend a fortune on a phono preamp. There are a number of good phono preamps available for under $500. If you are on a tight budget, you can still get a good phono preamp that will improve the sound quality of your vinyl playback system.
