A phono preamp is the small box that makes a turntable work with a normal amplifier, and a good one is one of the cheapest upgrades in a vinyl system. These are the best-reviewed options on Amazon, from a $70 tube preamp to an audiophile upgrade that handles almost any cartridge.
The best phono preamp for most turntables is the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM (about $89): quiet, accurate, and rated 4.6 out of 5 across more than 1,100 Amazon ratings.
On a budget, the tube-based Fosi Audio Box X2 (about $70) is the most-reviewed pick. For moving-coil cartridges, get the Fosi Box X5 (about $110) or step up to the iFi Zen Phono 3 (about $230–$250).
A turntable's cartridge puts out a tiny signal that also needs RIAA equalization before it sounds right. A phono preamp does both jobs. You need a separate one if neither your turntable nor your amplifier has one built in. Turntables like the Fluance RT85 and Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO leave it out on purpose, and many AV receivers no longer have a PHONO input. Even if your turntable has a built-in preamp, a good external one is often a noticeable upgrade. More background in our turntable guide.
| Preamp | Cartridges | Notable feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro-Ject Phono Box MM | MM | Dual-mono circuit, metal case | ~$89 |
| Fosi Audio Box X2 | MM | Tube stage, 3 gain settings | ~$70 |
| Fluance PA10 | MM | Rumble filter, shielded case | ~$100 |
| Fosi Audio Box X5 | MM and MC | 4 gain settings, 38–66dB | ~$110 |
| iFi Zen Phono 3 | MM and MC | Adjustable gain and loading, subsonic filter | ~$230–$250 |
The no-fuss classic. Pro-Ject builds turntables, so it knows what a moving-magnet cartridge needs: a quiet, accurate RIAA stage with dual-mono circuitry for clean channel separation, low-noise components, and gold-plated connections in a metal case that shields against hum. Plug it in, connect the ground wire, and forget about it.
Worth knowing: it's moving-magnet only and has no adjustments, which is exactly right for the turntables most people own.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.The most-reviewed preamp on this list. It adds a small vacuum-tube stage for a warm, rich presentation that suits vinyl, with three switchable gain settings (39, 42, or 45dB) to match your cartridge and amp. The tubes are swappable if you want to experiment, and a 3.5mm aux input lets it double as a tube preamp for a phone or other source.
Worth knowing: it's moving-magnet only. If you want a neutral, uncolored sound rather than tube warmth, the Pro-Ject is the better fit.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Its selectable low-frequency rumble filter rolls off everything below 20Hz, which matters more than it sounds: warped records and footfalls create inaudible low-frequency energy that makes woofers pump and subwoofers boom. If your system has a sub, that filter is worth having. Separate left and right op-amps keep channel separation high, and a metal shielded case keeps out electrical noise. It's the natural partner for a Fluance RT85.
Worth knowing: moving-magnet cartridges only.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.If you have, or plan to try, a moving-coil cartridge, the X5 handles both types for about the price of an MM-only box. Four gain settings (38, 48, 56, and 66dB) and an MM/MC switch cover almost any cartridge, and it's built with precision film capacitors and resistors in an aluminum chassis. It pairs nicely with Fosi's V3 stereo amplifier for a compact, affordable vinyl system.
Worth knowing: it has no adjustable loading, which some moving-coil cartridges benefit from; for that, step up to the iFi.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.The one to buy if your turntable and cartridge have outgrown a budget preamp. It supports MM and MC cartridges with gain from 36 all the way to 72dB, and you can set gain and loading independently, so it can be matched precisely to almost any cartridge. An intelligent subsonic filter removes rumble without dulling the bass, and its very low noise and distortion let a good cartridge show what it can do.
Worth knowing: the flexibility is wasted on an entry-level turntable. Pair it with something like the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO or better.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.Moving-magnet (MM) cartridges are what nearly every turntable under $1,000 ships with, including every turntable we recommend. They have a fairly strong output and work with any phono preamp. Moving-coil (MC) cartridges are a premium upgrade with a much weaker signal, so they need more gain from an MC-capable preamp like the Fosi Box X5 or iFi Zen Phono 3. If you don't know which you have, it's MM.
Need speakers or an amp to go with it? See our best stereo receivers, powered speakers for turntables, and compact Fosi amps.