I am using a current Rega Planar 2 with Carbon cartridge and a Rega Brio-R integrated amplifier as my connected sources and this MM-only phono preamp is fantastic. It is simply THERE at every point...highs, mids, lows, sparkle, shine, thump...magnificent achievement for under the $200 price point. Read up on this unit...the power supply is strong and clean and, importantly, uses a standard power cable not a wall wart. You can really tell the difference, too. I upgraded to a Pangea 14SE MKII power cable and it sounds great with very little burn in time. Try finding any other combination of outstanding circuitry and power handling at this price point and you will not get far. Thank you, Cambridge, for a well thought out design and lovely fit and finish. This is a tight, heavy little machined aluminum box that really fit the bill for me and I couldn't be happier.
UPDATE 4/19 - After a few months this started sounding very congested and just not right somehow. The sparkle is gone and it’s kind of a mess overall. No idea what caused this to happen but YMMV. Plan on trying to sell mine off because it cannot compete against like anything else I have. Weird. And what is up with the name adding Alva? Like Thomas Edison? Apart from that why would anyone name anything Alva. Sounds very unattractive.
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This item: Cambridge Audio Alva Solo | Phono Preamp for Moving Magnet Turntable
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This Item  Cambridge Audio Alva Solo | Phono Preamp for Moving Magnet Turntable | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $229.00 | $500.00 | $149.00 | $69.99 | $69.00 | $499.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 10 | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 10 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 10 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 10 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 10 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Cambridge Audio | Hi-Fi Heaven-net | Huppins | Fosi Audio | AVLGEAR | GRAMOPHONE |
| number of channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| voltage | 10 volts | 10 volts of alternating current | 300 millivolts | 12 volts of direct current | 12 volts of direct current | 18 volts |
| mounting type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | — | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
Fantastic preamp!
Sounds great! I'm not the kind of audiophile who thinks he hears the difference between two different spec compliant USB cables, but this absolutely does a better job at RIAA equalization than the $30 no name preamp I was using. No audible noise/hiss when powered on. It's a keeper!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2021
I recently purchased a new turntable and decided that the old Behringer preamp had to go. There are plenty of cheap options and even more expensive ones so I was pleased to find the solo at a little under $200. I also looked at a slightly less expensive model from Schiit which got a lot of great reviews but there was also mention of some issues with quality control so I decided to go with the more established company and bought the solo. Shipping took a bit as it came from the U.K. But that was expected. Within ten minutes of the UPS driver leaving it at my door I had it hooked up and running. The difference in sound quality was immediately noticeable. Instrument separation and clarity was drastically increased and the low end became clean and powerful.
You don’t have to break the bank to treat your ears
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2021
About three weeks later however the brilliance seemed to vanish and I noticed a hum when the turntable motor was powering up. I had read a review which mentioned the loss of sound quality and got a bit depressed, believing I may have a faulty unit. Before trying to box the thing back up and starting the warranty process I decided to try something. I unplugged the turntable from the power strip that the solo was also plugged into and ran it to a strip connected to a different outlet.
Oh happy day, the hum is gone and the sound is vibrant once again!!
Perhaps my next investment will be power management gear but that’s for another day.
I guess my only gripe (now that the first issue is resolved) would be the power indicator. When it’s on it’s slightly bright. When off it’s slightly less bright and doesn’t change color. Not the end of the world and not at all relevant to the fantastic sound quality so I’m giving this unit all the stars.
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019
- Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
