Top-6 Best Phono Preamplifiers for Summer 2025

Choosing a phono preamplifier for vinyl is always a difficult task. It is not for nothing that they say that even a high-quality turntable, tonearm and cartridge can be ruined by the wrong selection of a correction module. Well, we have selected for you a rating and hit parade of new products on the phono preamplifier market.

6. Fezz Audio Gaia EVO Prestige MM/MC

Pros - rich "velvet" sound

Fezz Audio Gaia EVO Prestige MM/MC uses a pair of 12AU7 tubes for amplification, and the power supply of the model is based on a stabilizer and a solid made by Toroidy toroidal transformer. The phono preamplifier works with both MM and MC cartridges and demonstrates well-developed midrange frequencies and an overall natural, velvety character of performance. 42 dB of gain for MM and 60 for MC allow the device to be easily coupled with most heads.

5. EAT E-Glo Petit 2

Pros – excellent macro- and microdynamics

The EAT E-Glo Petit 2 phono preamplifier immediately takes the bull by the horns – from the very first compositions it captivates with excellent dynamic characteristics and high detail. The model is based on the developments of the E-Glo S (favored by critics) model and does not use operational amplifiers in the path. The design itself is completely discrete, separate-passive, in which the first stage is a hybrid of a field-effect transistor with a 12AX7 tube, and the second uses field-effect and bipolar transistors. Among the options, it is worth noting the multi-stage adjustment of the input impedance and gain. The power supply here is also tricky, always leaving the tubes hot.

4. MOFI MasterPhono

Pros – powerful sound, large-scale stage

MOFI MasterPhono allows adjustment of gain of 40 dB, 50 dB, 60 dB, 70 dB, load impedance of 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1000, 10000 Ohms and guarantees RIAA curve accuracy of a record 0.05 dB. The model is designed in a balanced construction and uses discrete components, including field-effect transistors in both the input and output stages. The double case (with dedicated space for a dual power supply) perfectly shields noise. The device works without problems even with the most complex cartridges and demonstrates stunningly large-scale sound.

3. Manley Steelhead RC

Pros – absolute versatility, great sound

Manley Steelhead RC uses 6922 SOVTEK Russian x 2, JAN NOS GE 7044 (or 5687) x 4 tubes and literally makes you fall in love with its flexible, “mercury” sound. The phono preamplifier uses a transformer of its own design, MultiCap transition capacitors, allows impedance adjustment of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 Ohms and offers a stunningly low (for a tube circuit) internal impedance of 67 Ohms. Gain adjustment starts from 50 dB in half-decibel increments – everything is perfect here. Separately, note the super-system for removing hum – three grounding wire connectors allow you to ground the tonearms and the platter shaft to the body of the phonostage.

2. Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE

Pros – sound wall in all its glory and power

The mighty Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE pushes the walls of your hall apart and offers exceptionally muscular and large-scale sound with life-size images. The model uses its own correction circuit based on the principles of the final stage, and the element base includes audiophile Teflon capacitors and 6H30, 6550C tubes – all looks as a highest standard.

1. Soulution 755

Pros – reference sound quality in every sense

Soulution 755 guarantees 66 dB of gain for MM and as much as 78 dB (!) for MC, and the frequency response of the model extends to 1 million Hz with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB! The company's flagship model may well become a reference device – there are absolutely no flaws in the sound, it is truly magical. Two independent power supplies with a 500,000 µF capacitor array, a wide-band output stage with extra-wide bandwidth power transformers, input selection via a full-fledged relay, an analog passive volume control based on metal foil resistors – the design is more like an text-book Ultra High-End.

Stas Ustenko