The Heart of the System
The amplifier's job is not just to make the music louder. It breathes life and power into the delicate signal from your turntable, giving it the muscle to drive your speakers and create an emotional experience.
Function & Form
An amplifier takes a low-voltage signal and imbues it with the power needed to physically move the drivers in a speaker. This task is typically handled by two stages—the preamplifier and the power amplifier—which can exist in separate boxes or be combined into one.
Separates: The Purist's Path
A dedicated preamplifier is the control center, handling source selection and volume. A separate power amplifier provides the raw muscle. Keeping these functions in different chassis with their own power supplies minimizes electrical interference, which can lead to a cleaner, more detailed sound.
Integrated: The Elegant Solution
An integrated amplifier combines the preamplifier and power amplifier into a single, convenient component. High-quality integrated amps from brands like Marantz, Sansui, and Kenwood were the heart of countless classic systems, offering superb performance without the complexity of separate components.
The Phono Stage: The Turntable's Essential Partner
If you are spinning vinyl, you need to understand the phono preamplifier—also called a phono stage. This is not the same as the line-level preamplifier mentioned above. The phono stage performs a very specific, non-negotiable task: it amplifies the extremely weak signal from your turntable's cartridge and applies RIAA equalization, reversing the frequency curve that was applied when the record was cut.
Without this correction, the music would sound thin, harsh, and unlistenable. A phono stage transforms that fragile signal into something your amplifier can work with.
Do You Need a Separate Phono Preamp?
It depends on your amplifier:
- •Built-in phono stage: Many vintage integrated amplifiers and receivers have a dedicated "Phono" input. If yours does, you're set. Plug your turntable directly into that input.
- •No phono stage: Modern amplifiers and many minimalist vintage designs lack a phono input. In this case, you need an external phono preamp between your turntable and amplifier.
- •Turntable with built-in preamp: Some turntables have a phono stage already installed. You can bypass an external unit, but dedicated phono preamps often offer superior sound quality.
MM vs. MC Cartridges
Phono stages are designed for specific cartridge types. Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges output a stronger signal and are compatible with most phono stages. Moving Coil (MC) cartridges output a much weaker signal and require either a specialized MC phono stage or a step-up transformer.
Quality Matters
The phono stage is where the vinyl signal is at its most vulnerable. A cheap or poorly designed unit will introduce noise, distortion, and a loss of detail. Investing in a quality phono preamp—whether vintage or modern—is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to a vinyl system.
Recommended Phono Preamps
The right phono stage depends on your cartridge, your system, and your expectations. Here are our recommendations across three tiers.
Solid Performance Without Compromise
Pro-Ject Phono Box S2
A clean, neutral phono stage with switchable MM/MC capability. Low noise floor, compact design, and excellent build quality for the price. A reliable workhorse that punches above its weight.
Schiit Mani 2
An American-made phono stage with adjustable gain and capacitance settings. Transparent sound with exceptional detail retrieval. The flexibility makes it a great match for a wide range of cartridges.
Refined Sound, Serious Performance
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
A dual-mono design with exceptional soundstaging and a rich, musical presentation. Handles both MM and MC cartridges with ease. The balance between warmth and resolution is intoxicating.
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
A modern phono stage with both analog and digital outputs. Clean, articulate, and surprisingly dynamic. The built-in ADC is a bonus for those who want to archive their vinyl digitally without sacrificing analog performance.
Vintage: Technics SH-305 or NAD 1020
Classic phono preamps from the golden era. The Technics offers switchable EQ curves for older records, while the NAD delivers a warm, forgiving sound that flatters less-than-perfect pressings. Both are built like tanks.
Reference-Grade Resolution
Sutherland 20/20
Ron Sutherland's masterpiece. Dead silent, phenomenally detailed, with a sense of space and air that is almost holographic. Fully adjustable for any cartridge. This is what the best recordings are supposed to sound like.
EAT E-Glo Petit
A tube-based phono stage with a lush, three-dimensional sound. The midrange is intoxicating, the bass is full-bodied, and the high frequencies are silky without being soft. For those who want the tube magic applied to vinyl.
Pass Labs XP-17
Solid-state perfection from Nelson Pass. Grain-free, utterly transparent, with a sense of effortless control and dynamic authority. No coloration, no editorializing—just the music, rendered with brutal honesty.
Vintage: Counterpoint SA-5 or Conrad-Johnson Premier 15
Legendary tube phono stages from the high-end's golden age. The Counterpoint is warm and liquid, the Conrad-Johnson is refined and elegant. Both are capable of world-class performance if properly maintained.
The Great Debate: Soul vs. Science
The technology used to amplify the signal defines the sonic character of the component. The oldest and most fundamental division in amplifier design is between vacuum tubes and solid-state transistors.
Tubes (Valves): The Sound of the Glow
Vacuum tubes produce a sound often described as warm, rich, and three-dimensional. They are prized for a lush, liquid midrange that is incredibly flattering to voices and acoustic instruments. The soundstage can feel holographic, with a "lit from within" quality. This is the classic sound of 1950s and '60s hi-fi.
Solid-State (Transistors): The Sound of Control
Transistors offer precision, speed, and power. The solid-state sound is one of control and accuracy. Bass is typically tighter and more impactful, and the high frequencies are more extended and detailed. A great solid-state amp provides a clean, clear window into the recording, with a muscular grip on the speakers.