Top-7 Preamplifiers – Ranking for the End of 2025

Our new editorial ranking will help you navigate the preamplifier landscape. The most impressive models of 2025 are compiled in ascending order of price, so Hi-Fi and high-end enthusiasts will be sure to find a device to suit their tastes.

Fezz Audio SAGITA EVO Prestige

Pros – velvety analog sound at a relatively low price by industry standards

The Fezz Audio SAGITA EVO Prestige preamplifier guarantees a 92 dB signal-to-noise ratio with 0.05% total harmonic distortion. For a device using tubes (we chose a Sagita set of 2 x 12AU7 / ECC82), the performance characteristics are impressive, and the model's sound is truly captivating with its fluid, velvety character. The new fully balanced circuitry truly suppresses noise and handles the music signal gently.

Bryston BR-20

Pros – precise sound, excellent features

The Bryston BR-20 operates in the frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz with an extremely low THD of 0.0006%. Its precise, clear, and balanced sound is complemented by its luxurious features – not only does it feature a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) capable of handling up to 24-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256, but it also includes a streamer with integrated Tidal and Qobuz clients. Named in memory of company president Brian Russell, the model uses fully balanced discrete Class A analog circuitry with independent power supplies for the analog and digital sections.

Matrix Audio MP-1

Pros – state-of-the-art design, fast and composed sound

The Matrix Audio MP-1 preamplifier boasts a total harmonic distortion of 0.0004% across the entire audible range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. This high-speed sound model boasts excellent resolution across the entire frequency response. This is thanks to the fully differential transistor input stage and the high-quiescent-current output stage operating in pure Class A. The output circuit automatically regulates the output midpoint offset within 1 mV. No coupling capacitors are used. A special highlight is the volume control with a resistor-based voltage divider (four blocks comprised of 64 resistors with an accuracy of 0.001 and 32 sealed reed relays).

Luxman C-10X

Pros – mercury-powered delivery with a wealth of detail and a three-dimensional effect

The Luxman C-10X preamplifier offers an extended frequency range from 5 to 110,000 Hz and boasts a record-breaking signal-to-noise ratio of 132 dB with 0.05% total harmonic distortion. You'll fall in love with the sound of this unit immediately – it seems refined, incredibly flexible, and emotional. This flagship model uses a new version of the company's proprietary LIFES feedback system, and the LECUA-EX electronically controlled attenuator controls the level. It switches a series of fixed resistors arranged in a circuit. The LECUA-EX reads the rotational pulses of a rotary encoder (with 192 positions from 0 to 95.5 dB), disconnected from the audio signal path, eliminating any degradation in sound quality. The LIFES preamplifier circuit is assembled from custom-made components and is directly connected to the LECUA-EX system. The preamplifier gain is increased to 15 dB. The power supply is equipped with a powerful CI-core power transformer and seven specially selected 3300 µF filter capacitors.

Audio Analogue Absolute PA

Pros – luxurious bass, perfect tonal image

The Audio Analogue Absolute PA operates with a frequency response of 20 to 80,000 Hz and a 102.3 dB signal-to-noise ratio. "King of bass" is a short description of this model; even considering its price range, it's rare to hear such extended and textured low frequencies. Under the hood are two 50-watt transformers with electrostatic and magnetic shielding, a resin coating, an inductive power supply, a full dual-mono design, and a relay-controlled volume control.

Soulution 525 preamplifier

Pros – hyper-realistic sound imaging, benchmark-level 3D soundstage creation

The Soulution 525 preamplifier's specifications are stellar – it offers a frequency response from 0 to 2,000,000 Hz (that's not a typo), and THD in the audible range is within 0.00009% with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 130 dB channel separation. The crystal-clear sound of this device is truly outstanding by any standard – from soundstage definition to perfect black tone in pauses. Naturally, everything here is implemented with relays – the 95-step volume control uses efficient Vishay Dale resistors, and input selection also uses relays. A design that switches ground and signal connections ensures that only the selected input is connected to the 525's electronics, while the others are isolated. By buffering all signals immediately upon input, the Soulution 525 places only minimal load on the source devices. The power supply utilizes a whopping 400,000 µF of capacitance!

Dan D'Agostino Momentum C2

Pros – chic, gloss, and brilliance in every passage

The Dan D'Agostino Momentum C2 preamplifier is also a megahertz model, with a frequency response spanning from 0.1 to 1,000,000 Hz. The signal-to-noise ratio reaches 105 dB with a THD of 0.002%, and the input and output stages have corresponding impedances of 1 Mohm and 0.05 ohms. True brilliance is a characteristic of ultra-high-end equipment, and the Dan D'Agostino Momentum C2 delivers it in every passage. The device is truly a masterpiece in its own right – its revolutionary Complementary Four topology uses an array of four JFET transistors in a complementary differential push-pull configuration, significantly increasing input impedance and reducing noise. The power supply and main module are isolated and connected via 30-pin gold-plated connectors rated for up to 20 A. The volume control uses 14 metal components that control precision resistors and are switched by military-grade transistor switches.