Why do you need a phono stage aka a phono preamp?
When records are cut the mastering engineer uses a drastic EQ curve (RIAA) to make it easier to etch the audio frequencies onto the vinyl master disc, this curve reduces bass frequencies and boosts high end frequencies effectively making the groove less varied and thus easier to track.
A phono stage simply reverses this EQ curve so that you hear the audio the way it was intended. If you were to connect your turntable to an amplifier without a phono preamp, the sound from the turntable would be barely audible and if you boosted the volume as much as possible it would sound tinny like your speakers are broken. This is because all the bass frequencies on the record have been severely cut and the high frequencies boosted. You need the phono preamp to boost the low end and cut the the high end in precise amounts. Only after this has been done can your amplifier do its job of powering your speakers and delivering the beautiful analog sound of vinyl.
Some turntables have a built-in phono stage but many higher end options don't; and while many amplifiers or powered speakers have a phono stage input often these are fitted with low end inexpensive versions which limit the quality of music playback. This is why you may want to opt for a more premium external option.
To check if your amplifier or powered speakers have a phono stage built in look for a dedicated input marked phono. Most portable speakers and many smaller modern home systems don't have a phono stage input and thus an external one will be needed, this component will sit in-between the output of your turntable and the line in on your amplifier or speakers. For more detail about this check out our post on audio setups: Groovy Audio Setups Blog Post
Investing in a great phono stage will help you get the most out of your record collection. Below are some fantastic options:
Project Phono Box E:
Link To Purchase The Phono Box E
Rega Fono Mini A2D:
If you have a Rega Turntable (excluding higher end models with moving coil cartridges) the Rega Fono Mini A2D is a fantastic pairing. It also features a USB interface for digitizing your vinyl if you wish to do so.
Link To Purchase Rega Fono Mini A2D
Rega Fono MM Mk5 Phono Stage:
The next step up from the Rega Fono Mini A2D, the Fono MM Mk5 offers more precise phono equalisation revealing more detail to your music and will provide a more wide open sound stage.
Link To Purchase Rega Fono Mm Mk5
The Project Tube Box S2 uses tube amplification which gives a full and relaxed laid back sound with lush mids, just like you would expect it from a much bigger high end tube phono pre-amplifier. It is compatible with box MM and MC cartridges. With its two part passive/active design it gives incredibly precise RIAA equalisation.
Project Tube Box Ds2:
For trickier to drive styli the Ds2 offers greater versatility than the S2 along with doubling up on the inputs and outputs.
Rega Fono MC:
If you own a high end Rega Turntable with a moving coil cartridge the Fono MC is the perfect pairing. The Fono MC is an exceptionally high quality MC phono stage designed to maximise the potential of any MC cartridge and has been specifically tuned to compliment Rega's line up of MC cartridges.