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Electronics · Top 10

Top 10 Phono Preamps in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Nov 2026 · 5 min read
Rega Fono MM MK5
Direct answer

The Rega Fono MM MK5 is the best phono preamp, a dedicated moving magnet stage with a stated 41.4 dB of gain. The Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B is #2 and the Lehmann Black Cube II is #3. The Pyle PP444 is the best value, with a maker-listed MSRP of $37.99.

At a glance

#PickPriceBest for
1Rega Fono MM MK5Not published by the makerA simple, dedicated moving magnet stage
2Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 BNot published by the makerMM and MC cartridges with balanced connections
3Lehmann Black Cube IINot published by the makerTailoring bass with an adjustable filter
4Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 BNot published by the makerFine-tuning loading for an MC cartridge
5Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2Not published by the makerTransferring vinyl to a computer
6Lehmann Black Cube SE IINot published by the makerMC cartridges with the upgraded Black Cube sockets
7Pro-Ject Phono Box ENot published by the makerAdding phono to an amp without a phono input
8Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 5Not published by the makerStreaming a turntable to Bluetooth speakers
9Pro-Ject Phono Box MMNot published by the makerA small stage that also takes high-output MC
10Pyle PP444MSRP $37.99The lowest published price on the list

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Rega Fono MM MK5
Best value
Pyle PP444
Best for MC and balanced
Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B
Best for USB transfer
Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2
Best for Bluetooth
Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 5

The ranking

1

Rega Fono MM MK5

Rega Fono MM MK5
Answrs VerdictThe best overall phono preamp.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: Moving magnetMM gain: 41.4 dBFrequency response: 15 Hz (-3 dB) to 100 kHz (-0.2 dB)Warranty: Lifetime against manufacture defects

The Rega Fono MM MK5 is a dedicated moving magnet stage with 41.4 dB of gain, a 15 Hz (-3 dB) to 100 kHz (-0.2 dB) frequency response and a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects. Rega does not publish a price on its product page.

Go ifA simple, dedicated moving magnet stage
Skip ifYou use a moving coil cartridge
Why #1 over #2: It carries a lifetime warranty, which the Phono Box S3 B does not list.
2

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B

Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
Answrs VerdictThe balanced all-rounder.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: MM and MCGain settings: 40, 45, 60 and 65 dBConnections: 5-pin mini XLR or RCA in; RCA and XLR outSubsonic filter: 20 Hz at 18 dB per octave

The Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B takes MM and MC cartridges, offers 40, 45, 60 and 65 dB of gain and a subsonic filter at 20 Hz, and has 5-pin mini XLR or RCA inputs with RCA and XLR outputs.

Go ifMM and MC cartridges with balanced connections
Skip ifYou only need a basic MM stage
Why #2 over #3: It lists an XLR output, which the Black Cube II does not list.
3

Lehmann Black Cube II

Lehmann Black Cube II
Answrs VerdictThe tweakable classic.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: MM and MCMM gain: 46 dBGain steps: 36, 46, 56 and 66 dBBass filter: 16 settings between 7 Hz and about 90 Hz

The Lehmann Black Cube II lists 46 dB of MM gain and gain steps of 36, 46, 56 and 66 dB, with a bass filter of 16 settings between 7 Hz and about 90 Hz.

Go ifTailoring bass with an adjustable filter
Skip ifYou want balanced inputs
Why #3 over #4: It lists a 16-setting bass filter, which the DS3 B does not list.
4

Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B

Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B
Answrs VerdictThe most adjustable Pro-Ject.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: MM and MCGain settings: 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 dBInput impedance: Stepless 10 to 1000 ohms, or fixed 47 kohmsInputs: 5-pin mini XLR, pair XLR and pair RCA

The Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B offers gain settings of 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 dB and stepless input impedance from 10 to 1000 ohms, or a fixed 47 kohms.

Go ifFine-tuning loading for an MC cartridge
Skip ifYou do not need balanced inputs
Why #4 over #5: It lists stepless impedance and six gain settings, where the Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 lists a single input sensitivity.
5

Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2

Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2
Answrs VerdictThe vinyl-to-PC pick.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: Moving magnetUSB output: 16-bit 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz maxInput sensitivity: 5 mV for 500 mV outputWarranty: Lifetime against manufacture defects

The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 is a moving magnet stage with a USB output at 16-bit 44.1 kHz (48 kHz maximum), 5 mV of input sensitivity for 500 mV out and a lifetime warranty.

Go ifTransferring vinyl to a computer
Skip ifYou do not need USB
Why #5 over #6: It adds a USB output, which the Black Cube SE II does not list.
6

Lehmann Black Cube SE II

Lehmann Black Cube SE II
Answrs VerdictThe upgraded Black Cube.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: MM and MCMM gain: 46 dBGain steps: 36, 46, 56 and 66 dBChannel separation: More than 80 dB at 10 kHz

The Lehmann Black Cube SE II lists 46 dB of MM gain, gain steps of 36, 46, 56 and 66 dB and channel separation of more than 80 dB at 10 kHz.

Go ifMC cartridges with the upgraded Black Cube sockets
Skip ifYou want balanced inputs
Why #6 over #7: It lists MC support, which the Phono Box E does not list.
7

Pro-Ject Phono Box E

Pro-Ject Phono Box E
Answrs VerdictThe compact entry stage.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: Moving magnetMM gain: 40 dBNoise floor: 88 dB (A weighted)Size: 120 x 32 x 100 mm

The Pro-Ject Phono Box E is a moving magnet stage with 40 dB of gain, an 88 dB (A weighted) noise floor and a 120 x 32 x 100 mm case.

Go ifAdding phono to an amp without a phono input
Skip ifYou use an MC cartridge
Why #7 over #8: It lists 40 dB of gain, where the Phono Box E BT 5 lists 34 dB.
8

Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 5

Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 5
Answrs VerdictThe wireless pick.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: Moving magnetMM gain: 34 dBBluetooth: Version 5.2 with aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX HDSize: 120 x 32 x 100 mm

The Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 5 has 34 dB of phono gain and streams over Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX HD.

Go ifStreaming a turntable to Bluetooth speakers
Skip ifYou want a line-level output for an amp
Why #8 over #9: It streams over Bluetooth 5.2, which the Phono Box MM does not list.
9

Pro-Ject Phono Box MM

Pro-Ject Phono Box MM
Answrs VerdictThe small MM stage.
Price: Not published by the makerCartridge types: MM and high-output MCMM gain: 40 dBNoise floor: 88 dB (A weighted)Size: 107 x 30 x 75 mm

The Pro-Ject Phono Box MM takes MM and high-output MC cartridges with 40 dB of gain, an 88 dB (A weighted) noise floor and a 107 x 30 x 75 mm case.

Go ifA small stage that also takes high-output MC
Skip ifYou use a low-output MC cartridge
Why #9 over #10: It lists high-output MC support, where the Pyle PP444 lists magnetic pickups only.
10

Pyle PP444

Pyle PP444
Answrs VerdictThe best value.
Price: MSRP $37.99Cartridge types: Magnetic pickupsInput sensitivity: 3 mV at 50K ohmsTHD: 0.08% at 1 kHzWarranty: 1 year

The Pyle PP444 has a maker-listed MSRP of $37.99, 3 mV of input sensitivity at 50K ohms, 0.08% THD at 1 kHz and a 1-year warranty.

Go ifThe lowest published price on the list
Skip ifYou want audiophile-grade noise figures

How we ranked these

We ranked each phono preamp on what its maker publishes: cartridge compatibility, gain and loading options, connections and noise figures, then on any maker-published price. Most makers here do not publish a price, so the chart compares the MM gain stated by each maker instead. Picks were limited to makers whose own product pages could be read on Nov 8, 2026; the Schiit, Cambridge Audio, iFi, Fosi Audio, Parasound, Audio-Technica, U-Turn and Emotiva pages could not be read, and Musical Fidelity lists its LX2-LPS as discontinued, so those were not scored, not judged worse. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best phono preamp?

The Rega Fono MM MK5: a dedicated moving magnet stage with a stated 41.4 dB of gain and a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects.

What is the cheapest phono preamp on this list?

The Pyle PP444, with a maker-listed MSRP of $37.99. The other makers do not publish a price on their own pages.

Which phono preamps work with both MM and MC cartridges?

The Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B and DS3 B and the Lehmann Black Cube II and SE II list both MM and MC operation. The Pro-Ject Phono Box MM takes MM and high-output MC.

Which phono preamp has a USB output?

The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2, whose USB output transfers vinyl to a computer at 16-bit 44.1 kHz, with 48 kHz as the maximum.

MM gain as stated by the maker (dB) at a glance

Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT 534 dB
Pro-Ject Phono Box E40 dB
Pro-Ject Phono Box MM40 dB
Rega Fono MM MK541.4 dB
Lehmann Black Cube II46 dB
Lehmann Black Cube SE II46 dB
MM gain as stated by the maker (dB), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.

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