Top 10 Best 12ax7 Phono Preamps
for May 2023

When it comes to high-quality audio experience, investing in a good preamp is a must. In this blog post, we'll be sharing the top 10 best 12ax7 phono preamps for all the audiophiles out there. The 12ax7 is a highly popular vacuum tube in the world of audio equipment. The ECC83 or 12AX7 tube is used to amplify a weak phono signal from your turntable or other audio devices, boosting the sensitivity and clarity of the sound. So, if you're looking for a preamp that delivers a warm, rich sound, the 12ax7 phono preamp will not disappoint you.

What sets these preamps apart is the incorporation of the renowned 12ax7 vacuum tube. These tubes are known for their ability to reveal warm and fine sound, truly highlighting the musicality of any song. Additionally, some of these phono preamps come in a pair or even a gold pack of three matched tubes, providing excellent value for your money.

Not only do these preamps provide superior sound quality, but they also come with features that give you complete control over your listening experience. With the rotating treble/bass knobs on some of these preamps, you can customize the sound to your liking or even swap out the tubes for different tonal characteristics.

Whether you're using a turntable, MP3 player, CD player, or lossless music player, these preamps can amplify your sound without distortion or interference. Moreover, these phono preamps are incredibly versatile and can drive a wide range of headphones, making them the perfect addition to any home audio setup.

If you're looking for a high-quality preamp that can deliver unmatched sound quality, then these 12ax7 phono preamps are the perfect choice. With the combination of the popular 12ax7 vacuum tube and advanced design features, these preamps offer a listening experience that is truly second to none.

1

9.7

SCORE

Ampapa A1 Vacuum Tube Phono Preamp

by AMPAPA

What We like

Unprecedented Surpass in Functions & Looking: Advanced design and high-end components to build low-noise integrated circuit and ensure clean sound. Solid aluminum knobs, unique shell made of aluminum with whole die-casting molding and CNC machined, all styles of desktop space can be decorated perfectly with A1's warm orange or cool green lights.

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Product Features

• Advanced & Considerate Design Concept: A1 is the first product carefully designed by our senior audio experts in Washington after lots of researches, who are always devoted to exploring the design and craft innovation of HiFi and providing extreme listening experience for audiophiles via our top-class audio devices.
• Retro Tube Sound & Tone Control: With classic JAN GE5654 vacuum tubes, A1 reveals warm and fine sound, highlights great musicality and improves everything associated with music such as detail, transparency, immediacy, richness, dynamic etc.. Different delicate and smooth sound can be enjoyed via rotating treble/bass knobs or change other tubes according to one's preference.
• Phono Stage / Audio Pre-Amplifier / Headphone Amp: Ampapa A1, designed to amplify the low audio signal from your MM turntables, Phonograph, MP3, MP4, phone, tablet, PC, CD player, lossles music player etc., easier to drive amplifiers, active speakers and most headphones such as HD650 / K701 / DT770 / ATH-M50X / T1 / T90 / SR325 / RS1e .etc

2

9.5

SCORE

Walfront T11 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Aluminum Alloy Case Preamp Amplifier Support 12AX7 6N2 Tubes Anti Interference Phono Preamp for Record Player(US Plug 110V)

by Walfront

What We like

Small Size Preamplifier -- This preamplifier is small enough to take on the go, and we've included 3PCS metal covers and 4PCS acrylic covers for you to choose from

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Product Features

• Various Replaceable Tubes -- Supporting 6N2 or 12AX7 tubes, which offers many replaceable tubes for you, such as 6H2,6H2n (For 6N2 type) and 12AX7B,6N4(9PIN),ECC83,5751 (For 12AX7 type)
• Better Sound Quality -- Compared to the T10, the T11 preamp has lower background noise at normal volume, and it sounds better
• Active RIAA Circuits -- The amplifier uses a traditional active RIAA balanced phono circuit. The GND switch on the rear panel is set to ground by default. If there is a lot of noise, please try to set it to disconnect from the ground
• Aluminum Alloy Case -- This preamp features an enhanced manufacturing process and features a aluminum alloy case for a more elegant and sophisticated look

3

9

SCORE

Cambridge Audio Alva Duo

by Cambridge Audio

What We like

TECH SPECS - MAX POWER CONSUMPTION 10W, CARTRIDGE SUPPORT Moving Magnet | Moving Coil, GAIN @ 1KHZ MM: 39dB | MC: 60dB, NOMINAL OUTPUT 300mV, SENSITIVITY FOR NOMINAL OUTPUT MM: 3.35mV | MC: 305uV, DIMENSIONS 1.9" x 8.5" x 6.2", WEIGHT 2.1lbs

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Product Features

• HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER Cambridge added a unique 6.35mm headphone jack directly into the phono stage so you can listen in private. The integrated headphone outputalso means no need to turn on your amplifier just to power your headphones.
• SUBSONIC FILTER & BALANCE CONTROL The Alva Duo will even work if your vinyls are a little worse for wear. The subsonic filter and balance control eliminate low frequency rumbles from imperfections in your vinyl for an accurate soundstage.
• DESIGNED FOR VINYL Cambridge Audios Alva Duo was designed to give you a superb sonic experience from your favorite record collection using its state-of-the-art switch mode power supply and a new surface mounted circuit board.
• ATTENTION TO DETAIL The Alva Duo's switch mode power supply and surface mount technology delivers short signal paths and a faster response with precision and lower background noise so you don't hear a hum over the vinyl's low-level signals.

4

9

SCORE

Schiit Mani 2 Phono Preamp for MM

by Schiit

What We like

Designed and built in TX, USA. 115VAC only. USA Plug. Suitable for use in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Will not work in 220 240V countries.

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Product Features

• Loading: Choose 47K, 200, 47, or 38, and 47pF, 100pF, 150pF, or 200pF for virtually any MM, MC, or MI cartridge.
• Schiits all-new Mani 2 sets the standard for performance and capability in an affordable phono stage. Super low noise and high RIAA accuracy.
• Gain: Choose 35, 45, 50, or 60dB of gain, for virtually any cartridge from Decca to low-output MC and MI models.
• Filter: Choose 6dB/octave or 12dB/octave of purely passive low-frequency filtering (at 15 Hz), to help with warped records or other subsonic problems.

5

8.8

SCORE

Parasound Zphono XRM Phono MM/MC Preamplifier

by Parasound

What We like

Weight: 3.9 lbs. (1.8kg)

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Product Features

• Dual inputs for two turntables (1 MM & 1 MC), Front panel mono/stereo mode switch
• Balanced and unbalanced outputs, Variable MC impedance adjustment of 50-1050 ohms
• Audiophile grade resistors and capacitors, Gold-plated RCA input and output jacks
• Dimensions: Width: 8.5 (220 mm), Depth: 10 (254 mm), Depth: 12 (305 mm) - cables connected, Height, with feet: 2 (51 mm), Height, without feet: 1.75 (45 mm), 1U
• MC Gain options of 50 dB or 60 dB unbalanced (56 dB/66 dB balanced)

6

8.5

SCORE

Vincent PHO 701 Phono Preamplifier w/Outboard MM/MC Power Supply Black

by VINCENT

What We like

Inputs: 1x rca stereo, 1x din (dc in pho 700)

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Product Features

• Highly regulated power supply in separate chassis
• Two chassis mm/mc phono stage
• Hybrid tube/solid state design

7

7.5

SCORE

iFi ZEN Phono

by Abbingdon Ltd

What We like

ACCESSORIES - Includes 5V DC power supply and RCA cable

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Product Features

• CUSTOMIZE TO YOUR TURNTABLE SETUP - Ultrawide 36dB to 72dB gain
• OUTPUTS - RCA and Balanced 4.4mm Pentacon Outputs
• INTELLIGENT - subsonic analog filter
• INPUTS - Selectable MM and MC cartridge input

8

7.4

SCORE

MUZISHARE X7 KT88 x4 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier Push-Pull Amp Power MM Phono Tube Amplifier Balanced XLR 2022 Remote

by MUZISHARE

What We like

Provide Triode and Ultralinear selection function: Triode work mode. soft. pure and sleek. suitable for enjoying vocals. strings Music and other types of music; Ultralinear work. the sound of open. unrestrained. the momentum is good. for large scenes. large dynamic type of music. Peripheral power tube current adjustment knob and current display meter. With pure power amplifier features. can be linked the pre-amp signal input. with the phono function. can be connected to the Phono player

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Product Features

• MUZISHARE X7 Upgraded version. Upgraded the internal coupling capacitor, is the designer to debug the custom-made silver film capacitor, relative to the classic version of the extension, control, density is better.
• Use 12AX7 and 12AU7 vacuum tube for voltage amplification and phase inversion,use KT88 vacuum tube to do AB1 push-pull power amplification; Mute delay function when turn on the amp(about 30 seconds) the choice of Japanese ALPS motor potentiometer
• MUZISHARE X7 is an integrated Amplifier. This is also a Power Amplifier (there is a group pre-amp input), a Headphone amplifier and this is a amplifier for Phono player too, direct link your phono player to this amplifier to output to speakers.
• Pure Handmade,point to point hand welding using two high-quality wide-frequency high-quality Japanese EI output transformer using a high-power Z11 core toroidal power transformer dedicated designed for the machine voltage amplification and promote are used tube 5AR4 for rectifier power supply.

9

7.4

SCORE

Rega Fono MM MK Moving III Magnet Phono Pre-Amp

by Rega

What We like

Rega Fono MM MKIII Phono Stage (Black)

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10

7.4

SCORE

Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 (Black)

by Pro-Ject

What We like

RIAA curve accuracy: +/- 0,2dB/20Hz - 20kHz Subsonic filter: 20Hz @ 18dB/octave Input / Output: 2x R

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Product Features

• Tube assembly: 2x ECC83 (12AX7) Input impedance variable: 10-1000 Ohms, fix 47 kOhms
• Gain: MM / MC 40 / 45 / 50 / 60 / 65 dB Output voltage: typically 500 mV/1kHz at 5mV/1kHz (at 40dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 88dBA THD: < 0,04%
• Capacitance: 100 / 220 / 320 pF