Phono Preamp Reference Database: Compare Specs Side-by-Side

How to use this tool (and what the dashes mean)

Start by picking a preamp in column A and a second one in column B. The table will line up key specs so you can sanity-check compatibility with your cartridge and turntable setup. If a field shows “—”, it simply means the spec wasn’t published (or couldn’t be verified) for that model. Manufacturers often omit things like input capacitance, A-weighted noise figures, or detailed loading ranges, so treat missing specs as “unknown” rather than “bad.”

The goal here isn’t to crown a single “best” phono stage, instead it’s to make it easier to narrow down candidates, spot deal-breakers early, and know what to double-check in the official manual before you buy.

How to choose gain for MM vs MC

Gain is the “volume boost” your cartridge needs to reach normal line-level. Most MM cartridges (often ~3–6 mV output) are happy around 35–45 dB of gain. MC cartridges can be a totally different world: high-output MC may work with MM gain, but low-output MC (often ~0.2–0.6 mV) usually needs 55–70 dB of gain. Too little gain forces you to crank the volume (raising noise), while too much gain can overload downstream inputs or make the noise floor more obvious. When in doubt, aim for enough gain that your normal listening volume feels “typical” without maxing out your amp’s volume knob.

What loading means (47kΩ, 100Ω, capacitance pF)

“Loading” is the electrical environment your phono preamp presents to the cartridge. For MM, the common default is 47 kΩ input impedance plus some input capacitance (often listed in pF). That capacitance combines with your cable and cartridge inductance, and it can tilt high frequencies up or down, so matching the cartridge maker’s recommended range (for example, “100–200 pF total”) can matter. For MC, capacitance usually matters less, but input impedance (like 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 1 kΩ, etc.) can change tonal balance and dynamics. If your preamp offers multiple loading options, it’s basically giving you a fine-tune knob for how the cartridge behaves electrically.

Why SNR specs are messy (A-weighted vs not)

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) looks simple, bigger number, quieter background, but spec sheets aren’t always apples-to-apples. Some brands publish A-weighted noise (which de-emphasizes low and very high frequencies), while others don’t. Some reference a different input level, or publish MM noise but not MC noise. That’s why the SNR column is best used for rough filtering (e.g., “this one seems unusually noisy”) rather than as a precise ranking. If you care deeply about noise, prioritize consistent measurement notes, trusted bench tests, and real-world reports from setups similar to yours.