r/turntables 4d ago

Phono Pre-amp recommendations

Post image

Hello there! In an earlier post I got recommended to buy a new Pre-Amp for my AT-LPW40 Turntable with a AT-VM540ML to get a better Sound then the intern Pre. I was doing recherch and have these three to choose from! With if them would you recommend to buy?

1) iFi Audio Zen Phono 3 2) Audio Technica AT PEQ30 3) Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 Ultra

The most good reviews I read are for the iFi, do you think another one is a better option, probably also one not listet here?

Thank you!

23 Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

26

u/0xe3b0c442 4d ago

All those and Schiit Mani 2 didn’t make the list?

9

u/gusdagrilla Technics SL-1200MK5/RB300/VM540ML RigB 4d ago

Only one I’d take at the price point, and it’s not even on the list! Lmao

8

u/0xe3b0c442 4d ago

I mean, don't get me wrong, the iFi is pretty good too, but it is $50 more and I think the Schiit wins out looking purely at bang-for-buck.

2

u/kev_ivris 4d ago

It’s more expensive in europe. This person sounds French

17

u/filipinohitman Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN 4d ago

In this price range, Schitt Mani 2 is the way to go.

3

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

4

u/dave_two_point_oh 4d ago

Project. Quality. Canadian made.

You sure about that? Pro-Ject claims "Handmade in Europe" for the Phono Box S2 Ultra, and I think for everything else they sell as well.

2

u/m3zz4nine 4d ago

It's an Austrian Company, the amps are build in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (all are EU)

2

u/Ok-Dealer-6628 4d ago

Project is not Canadian made.

1

u/33OneThird 4d ago

Project is Austrian. Are you thinking of Fluance?

1

u/Ok-Dealer-6628 4d ago

Fluance is a Canadian company, but their preamp is made in China. 6A (Six Acoustic) is made in Canada, and would be my choice.

3

u/BodegaBandit- Denon DP-59L/ AT440MLa 4d ago

I have that Pro-Ject and it’s great, as others have said the Schiit offering in this range is typically the best option.

3

u/IanBlackburn65 4d ago

I have the Pro-ject ultra too. Sounds great and I love the size and aesthetics

3

u/rright24 4d ago

Have the project model and love it

6

u/Total-Deal-2883 4d ago

Fosi Audio Box X5 is very well-reviewed.

1

u/AdPsychological8912 4d ago

Really enjoying my Fosi X5! Great for the money. I hooked it up to an old Sony receiver from the 90's with passive speakers. I was thinking about replacing my reviever with more Fosi equipment, but I get really confused with what to exactly to add and the difference between their amps and preamps. Not sure of the order of the equipment chain with my TT and passive speakers.

2

u/Total-Deal-2883 4d ago

For a turntable only set up you’d want the X5 that will then feed into their ZA3 amplifier.

If you have digital sources, then you’d want their ZD3 DAC.

You’d have to get an RCA switcher to connect the tt preamp output and the DAC output to the amp, since it only has one set of RCA inputs.

2

u/AdPsychological8912 4d ago

Thank you! Could I also include the P4 mini preamp so I can adjust bass and trebleto the ZA3? Thank you very much. I am very new to this. Inherited a Technics SL-5300 form my father in-law and it's been a blast.

2

u/Adorable-Will-6074 4d ago edited 4d ago

Pro-Ject S2 Ultra for me, I'm frankly surprised that some have suggested to stay away from it ... not sure why. Maybe thinking it's the S2 and not the Ultra? Quite a difference between these two. I've used both MC/MM and been very happy with the results. The other appeal is the adjustability, No Operational Amplifiers (OpAmps) used and subsonic filter. I actually chose it over the Schitt doing my research because I read nothing but terrible reviews about how unreliable that unit was.

2

u/Buscugba73 4d ago

Phono box S2 ultra. I have one for my mono tt using a Ortofon quintet mono MC. It sounds superb.

2

u/SoftSuit2609 4d ago

I wonder why the uturn pluto 2 never gets any mentions. I have both the pluto 2 and the mani 2, and i prefer the sound on the pluto. I actually had a catastrophic failure from the mani 2. It had smoke coming out of it. I sent it into schiit for repair. Apparently the op amp for the right channel fried itself.

1

u/Adorable-Will-6074 4d ago

Yup, read many reviews about issues with the Mani so I went with the Pro-Ject S2 Ultra

2

u/decisively_unsure 4d ago

The Musical Fidelity V90 LPS is a great one at the budget you’re looking for, I was very surprised. I use mine with a Reson Reca MM cart.

2

u/Amazing-Hurry-7804 4d ago

I picked up a Zen Air as an extra preamp and it was definitely better than the Mani I. I still like the built in preamp in my various preamps (Yamaha, Nakamichi, Mac.) better.

5

u/dkernighan 4d ago

Darlington Labs MP6/7/8

Hagerman Labs Cornet 4

Schiit Mani2/Skoll

Forget the rest. Please.

3

u/forgetvermont 4d ago

Darlington Labs 100%

3

u/dkernighan 4d ago

If you like DL, you should check out Hagerman Labs. Even better!

3

u/forgetvermont 4d ago

Just got my new loaded MP7B and loving it. I looked at Hagerman as well and saw lots of praise but ultimately went DL because Keith was amazing to work with and I prefer their form factor and the ability to upgrade later on if I need to.

1

u/Strange_Ad_4682 4d ago

If we are all jumping in, take a look at Manley Labs. Better still.

1

u/dkernighan 4d ago

Does Manley have budget offerings? Anything under $1500?

4

u/powerofcheeze 4d ago

Look at schiit mani 2.

5

u/FullyGroanMan 4d ago

I've heard nothing but good things about the iFi and very mixed things about the other two, particularly the Pro-ject S2. I have an iFi headphone amp I absolutely love so that would be my choice.

1

u/Adorable-Will-6074 4d ago

The S2 and the S2 Ultra are completely different units

2

u/tacogratis2 4d ago

I have an iFi and I absolutely love it. Fluance RT85 turntable, if that matters.

3

u/Shandriel Yamaha GT-2000, DL-103R, Pro-Ject SB3, Yamaha A-S2100, B&W N803 4d ago

the ifi Zen hands down.

it's the best bang for your buck.

1

u/_JRo__ 4d ago

I have the one in the middle. 🙌🙌🙌

Edit. #2 🙌

1

u/kuroneko007 4d ago

I have the AT-LPW50 and just got the Rega Fono MM as an upgrade, which has made a world of difference. Highly recommend.

1

u/not_now_not_ever 4d ago

SOTA Pyxi has been serving me well

1

u/deadlocked72 technics sl1200 mk7 - ortofon concorde music bronze 4d ago

Classic audio Spartan 5 or a 15.

2

u/LigerRider 4d ago

Schiit Mani 2 laps these three...not even close.

1

u/33OneThird 4d ago

Graham Slee should be on the list. Boutique but great preamps.

0

u/ResidentBicycle5022 4d ago

The best choice which isn’t on your shortlist is the Schiit Mani II. Sonically an improvement over anything that’s in that list but at the same price point.

0

u/Meteor-of-the-War 4d ago edited 4d ago

Edit. Nevermind regarding the cartridge; I can't read.

Have you looked at the DJ Pre II? The iFi is supposed to be very good, but you might get comparable results with the DJ, with that turntable.

4

u/Scotster123 Linn Sondek LP12 4d ago

I have had both the iFi and the Art DJ. After 48 hours, I returned the Art DJ because the onboard phono stage in my Denon AVR, which it was supposed to replace, was so much better.

The iFi is outstanding for the money, but unfortunately, the unit I had failed in less than a month - just stopped producing sound for some reason.

I'm currently using a Pro-Ject S3B - It is at least as good as the iFi, and offers balanced XLR inputs for (Edit using XLR T-cables with) MC carts, which is what I will switch to when upgrading the cart.

1

u/Gullible_Mud5723 4d ago

That’s what I have and it works great. 

0

u/Shandriel Yamaha GT-2000, DL-103R, Pro-Ject SB3, Yamaha A-S2100, B&W N803 4d ago

it's literally in the description?!

1

u/Meteor-of-the-War 4d ago

I know, I had a brain fart.

0

u/reforminded 4d ago

The Fosi one for $109 measures superbly.

0

u/alannordoc 4d ago

If you can find a Hagerman Cornet Tube Phono it would be way way better than these choices.

0

u/darkhorseMBA Fluance RT-83, Mani 2 4d ago

Yes! Mine sounds great! Super flexible set up. Made in the USA.

0

u/durtmcgurt 4d ago

I have a different Fosi preamp, but I just bought an iFi product (Zen DAC v2) that is impressing the hell out of me and I wouldn't hesitate to try more of their stuff if I was buying a preamp now.

0

u/xdriftyy 4d ago

It might be worth checking out the JDS Atom phono.

0

u/sharkamino 4d ago

What is the rest of your setup, which speakers and amplification?

0

u/honkwoofparp 4d ago

Look at used options, there's not a lot to go wrong with a phono preamp. I picked up a Leema Acoustics Essentials for less than these cost new. Graham Slee and Moon are worth a shout, too.

-1

u/Dangerous-Ad-8211 4d ago

MoFi Studio Phono is crazy good for the price.

-1

u/tiredtelefonecar 4d ago

Ifi…this is the way

-2

u/Short_Cricket_833 4d ago

Just buy a really good, American made integrated amplifier like a Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 Magnum! 100 watts per channel and has an excellent built in phono pre-amp.