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Quad Artera Pre Amplifier
£1,099 -
Audiolab 9000Q Pre-amplifier
£1,499 -
Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital Pre-Amplifier
£2,199£1,899 -
Hegel P20 Pre Amplifier
£2,350 -
Primare PRE35 Pre Amplifier
£2,900
More about pre-amplifiers.
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Pre-amplifiers sit at the heart of a serious hi-fi separates system, managing volume control, source selection and the delicate signal before it is passed to a power amplifier. A good hi-fi pre-amplifier should add as little noise or colour as possible, while giving you the control and connectivity needed for your turntable, streamer, CD player, DAC or other music sources.
For many listeners, the preamp is where a system starts to feel more precise and flexible. Rather than relying on an integrated amplifier to do everything in one box, a separate stereo pre-amplifier allows you to choose a dedicated power amplifier to suit your speakers and room. This can bring better drive, cleaner dynamics and greater upgrade potential over time.
Our range of pre-amplifiers includes analogue preamps, digital preamps, valve pre-amplifiers, DAC preamps, phono preamps and models with balanced XLR connections. Some are designed for pure two-channel listening, while others add practical features such as headphone outputs, home cinema bypass, tone controls or streaming-friendly inputs. If you use a turntable, pay close attention to whether the preamp includes an MM or MC phono stage, or whether you will need a separate phono preamplifier.
Choosing the right pre-amplifier depends on the rest of your system. Input choice, output type, gain structure, impedance matching and overall sound character can all affect the final result. A transparent preamp will suit listeners who want accuracy and low noise, while a valve or Class A design may appeal if you prefer a richer, more organic presentation.
Whether you are building a new hi-fi separates system or upgrading from an integrated amplifier, a well-matched pre-amplifier can make your system easier to control, more adaptable and more musically convincing.
