The Ortofon 2M Red/Blue/Bronze/Black is a fragile and costly phono cartridge and can be damaged by mishandling, accidental drops, or other accidents. T
his phono preamp will help protect your audio pick-up from damage due to using it in a noisy environment.
Ortofon 2M phono preamplifiers offer a simple and effective way to upgrade the sound quality of your vinyl record player. These devices can be found on a wide variety of turntables from world-renowned manufacturers such as Denon, Pro-Ject, Rega, and others – which makes it tough to find a device that won’t work with your equipment.
However, once you have a 2M in your system, a noticeable improvement can be made in the way you hear your records. The sonic improvements are hardly noticeable at first, but if you have been using the same preamplifier for many years, it won’t take long to see a constant improvement.
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Buying Guide
Phono preamps(or phono stages) are little audio amplifiers that help boost the sound of your turntables. It takes a good audio signal to make a great-sounding vinyl record, and this is where you’ll find the importance of having a high-quality phono preamp.
1. Listening to the sound
One of the most important aspects of preamps is how they shape the sound. It can be worth far more than the price if it provides an outstanding listening experience. While this may seem like a difficult factor to gauge, there are many features you can look for in your product to help you make an educated purchase decision.
2. Input/output options
Preamps are an especially good tool for gamers because of the versatility they offer. Finding a product that offers multiple input/output options can help you connect various other devices to your computer, improving its capabilities.
3. The quality of the sound
If you want to take your music enjoyment to a new level, then you’ll need to find a product that offers top-notch quality. This means that the preamps you purchase should be able to deliver an incredible listening experience.
3 Best Phono Preamps for Ortofon 2M
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1. Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono Preamplifier – Black
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The Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono Preamplifier is designed to make your vinyl sound its best. It has a single input, which accepts both magnetic and ceramic cartridges, and it has separate outputs for phono (RCA) and loudspeakers (RCA).
Pros:
- Superior performance
- External power supply
- Affordable
- Good build quality
Cons:
- The manufacturer’s warranty only lasts 12 months, for parts and labor.
- The Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 is rather expensive
- It doesn’t come with a power cord, so you must purchase one separately.
2. Rega Fono MM MK III Moving Magnet Phono Pre-Amp – Black
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The Rega Fono MM MK III Moving Magnet Phono Pre-Amp in Black is a high-performance stereo preamplifier for magnetic phono cartridges.
Pros:
- Switches between MM/MC inputs
- Good sound quality
- Long battery life
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Full size of the phono amp is bulky
- Has no more output than 5V, 1mA
- Very pricey, even on sale
3. Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 MM Moving Magnet Phono Preamp with USB-Out
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The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 MM phono preamp with USB-out is an entry-level moving magnet phono preamp that sits between the turntable and the amplifier. It is perfect for those looking to upgrade their existing system, but it can also be used as a standalone preamp if needed. The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 MM comes with a USB connection so you can play your records on any device or computer without having to have an attached turntable in your setup.
Pros:
- The preamp has an attenuator (which can be used to really crank up the volume)
- The sound quality is clean and warm
- There are lots of inputs for different types of audio devices
- It’s small, making it easy to plug in anywhere
Cons:
- The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 MM Moving Magnet Phono Preamp with USB-Out is a large and inelegant looking unit.
- The Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 MM Moving Magnet Phono Preamp with USB-Out has a very limited range of features.
Conclusion
Ortofon is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the industry, and as such, has a handful of outstanding phono preamps. From the 2M Red to the Black, all of these phono preamps are definite contenders. The sound they provide is crisp and clear, with high resolution and bang for your buck.