Full disclosure: I'm a vinyl record enthusiast, I've been using turntables for over 30 years, and I repair/rebuild/restore vintage turntables.
I spent a couple of weeks trying to decide which sub-$100 phono preamp I should buy. Most of the preamps in this price range get mediocre reviews. I stumbled upon the ART DJPRE II almost by accident, and was impressed with the high number of favorable reviews, so I decided to give it a try.
I've been using it for almost three months, and thus far I've been very impressed by it. The build quality is very good, the sound quality is excellent, and it has some nice features that I haven't seen in other comparably priced preamps.
One of the things I like most about this preamp -- a feature that most other preamps in the same price range are lacking -- is the level adjustment knob. There are two scenarios where this feature comes in handy: first, if you use different cartridges with different output levels. For example, one of my cartridges has a high output level (9 mV), and one of my other cartridges has a much lower output level (2.5 mV). The level knob on the preamp allows me to adjust the preamp's amplification to match the cartridge I'm using. The other scenario is that some of my records were recorded at very low levels, and some of my other records were recorded at very high levels. The level adjustment knob, along with the signal/clipping light, makes it easy to adjust the output level, and this is VERY helpful when transferring vinyl records to CD/MP3. This might not seem like a big deal, but I find it to be a really great feature, and theoretically it should offer better audio quality than attempting to boost or lower the audio after the fact with an audio editing program -- which is what you'd have to do if your preamp didn't have a level adjustment knob.
I also really appreciate the rumble filter, which is another great feature that isn't typically found on preamps in this price range. It works as advertised and does not alter the audio quality.
I do find that the blue power light is very bright, as other reviewers have pointed out, but I'm not particularly bothered by it. If you find it disturbing, you can always put a small piece of black tape over it.
If you need a phono preamp and you can't afford to spend big bucks, I think this is absolutely your best bet.
UPDATE: I've now been using this preamp for almost two years and it still works flawlessly. I'm very happy I chose it.
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This Item  ART DJPREII Phono Preamplifier | Recommendations  |  | ![MM Phono Preamplifier, Hi-Fi Turntable Preamp for Home Audio/Record Player/Stereo Amplifier/Active Speaker [Nobsound T3]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Z613sRU9L._AC_.jpg) |  | |
| Price | $65.99 | $39.99 | $69.99 | $54.99 | $89.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 29 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 29 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 29 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Mar 29 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Fosi Audio | Fosi Audio | Douk Audio Direct | Huppins |
| number of channels | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| voltage | 12 volts of direct current | 12 volts | 12 volts of direct current | 12 volts | 18 volts |
| specification met | — | Riaa | Standard Riaa, Ce | — | Riaa |
| mounting type | Surface Mount | Freestanding | — | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
Great full-featured phono preamp at a great price.
I'm very pleased with this unit especially for the price.My records sounded tinny and thin and I thought that maybe the record player was to blame. But the RIAA equalization built into this phono preamp brough back the full range of sound I was missing.Now I realize that the phone input stage on my $6,000 receiver was the fault all along.Bonus feature...The low cut filter took care of the constant rumble I was hearing also.Now the records sound the way I remember them from my youth!
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
- CogsworthReviewed in Canada on March 24, 2024
A very noticeable improvement in sound quality over my turntable's built-in preamp
I have been listening to my Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB turntable through my Sony STR-DN1080 home theater receiver for a while now. The Sony receiver does not have a phono input so I used the turntable's built-in preamp. Vinyl records sounded just fine if not a bit flat and lifeless. I decided to try the ART DJPRE II to replace the turntable's phono preamp and I am very happy that I did!CogsworthA very noticeable improvement in sound quality over my turntable's built-in preamp
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2024
The ART DJPRE II preamp is very solidly made, with its metal chassis, solid buttons and gain knob. Everything feels good quality, especially at this price range. The kit comes with an AC power adaptor, the preamp and a user guide. A second set of RCA cables are needed and not supplied so you will need to provide your own.
Setup is quick and easy. I just had to plug the RCA and ground cable from my turntable to the inputs of the ART preamp, flick the switch to phono on the turntable, connect the second RCA cables between the preamp and Sony receiver, and then power everything up. There is a gain knob, a 100/200pF input capacitor switch and a low pass filter switch. On my setup, I have the gain set to -2, the 100pf capacitor setting and no low pass filter. It was immediately noticeable how much better the sound stage was on every vinyl record that I played. The music had better instrument and voice separation, was easier on the ears (less harsher) and just sounded more lively than the phono preamp in the turntable. I am very happy with the improvement in depth and quality from this phono preamp. It was a very easy and affordable way to improve what was an average vinyl record listening experience to a much more dynamic and pleasant one. I highly recommend this phono preamp!
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Ricardo MertschReviewed in Germany on June 7, 2022
Er leistet seit Jahren sehr gute Dienste!
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SisscalReviewed in France on February 12, 2019
Un excellent rapport qualité prix
Facile à installer, de bonne facture, répond parfaitement à mes besoins, je l'utilise pour une platine Pioneer PL200. Il dispose également d'une prise de terre ce qui permet d'éviter les grésillements. Je le recommande fortement.SisscalUn excellent rapport qualité prix
Reviewed in France on February 12, 2019
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