

Which phono stage you need is entirely dependent on what your existing vinyl system is, and your budget. Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. We've drawn on our reviews catalogue from recent years to pick the best available right now, so you can be sure that you're buying the very best quality for your money. Every phono stage on this list has been thoroughly tested by the team of experts at What Hi-Fi? in our dedicated listening rooms, so you can trust our buying advice. But whether you're looking to pinch pennies or break the bank, we've got a phono preamp for you.
#Turntable preamp upgrade#
Or you might just want to upgrade its sound beyond what's possible with the built-in phono stage found in amplifiers or some record players.Īs with many product categories, phono stages span all price ranges.

So why do you need one? Your stereo amplifier or turntable may not have one, in which case you won't be able to play records without this crucial component. At the same time, it adds standardised equalisation. Have a turntable? Then you'll likely need a phono preamp (aka phono stage), which raises your turntable's audio output to make it compatible with line-level modern amplifiers.
