Cambridge AudioAlva Solo - Stereo Moving Magnet Phono Stage/Pre-Amplifier - Lunar Grey

Upgrading from a cheaper Project phono box, which has served me faithfully for quite a few years. This is definitely a worthy upgrade. The first thing to notice was a wider soundstage. Also more heft but also detail to the overall sound. Very pleased with this, highly recommended to anyone using a cheaper phono amp. Enjoying going through my favourite LPs, checking the improvements in sound. Don’t even get me started on those drums at the start of ‘Intruder’ on Peter Gabriel 3!

I have been doing music production for a while so have active studio monitors rather than normal passive book shelf speakers with a power amp that has built in phono. I found this phono box very useful for using my new record player with my powered studio monitors. Design is very sleek and looks great, very easy set up, all you need to do is press the on button after that and you are ready to go. I have used it with my new project T1 as my first ever record player and they sound great for the price in my opinion.Only thing I didn't like was the lack of volume control but I could just turn my speakers up and down, output level was quite hot compared to my audio interface so had to turn speakers down.

Bought a Rega preamp for my record player it’s only lasted 3 years replaced with this Cambridge solo. It really does pull out all the background sound you can’t always hear. electronic music / vocals / orchestra all sound extremely clear

This is a really good phono pre amp and outperforms it's price. Easy connection between turntable and main amplifier's line in. It uses an "electric kettle" lead for mains connection! The voltage step down transformer is in the case. That is well isolated because there is no transformer hum evident.Having a built in transformer adds weight to the unit. Nicely built and feels quality.The first thing I did was disable the auto power shut off. These should ideally be left permanently powered on. I don't know why Cambridge Audio added this function?It really is an excellent sounding amp.. Connected to a Pink Triangle turntable fitted with a Roksan Nima arm and an old SAE high output moving coil cartridge.This amp. is for either moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridges only. I believe Cambridge have a dual MC and MM version.Recommended.

I bought the Cambridge audio Alva solo MM phono stage as a stand in until I saved up some cash for a more higher end phono stage like Audio Note M2 phono or Graham Slee reflex M. On first listening to the Cambridge straight out the box it had a solid open sound after a couple days it just got more open tight solid bass and over all very listenable. I cannot fault the Cambridge solo at all especially at a low price of £149 Wow!! If your looking for something that does the job and allows you to get lost in your vinyl just buy this well made little phono stage you won't be disappointed.

Bought myself a turntable for the first time in 30 odd years and thought i needed this to use it through my amp.Only to discover that I didn’t need it after all as the turntable has a built in phone stage……oh wellIt’s small it’s lovely looking and it sounds great just not needed unfortunately for me.Probably just sell it now…my fault

If like me, you're looking for an upgrade (within a reasonable budget) to improve the clarity and richness of your vinyl collection, I'd strongly recommend the addition of a dedicated pre-amp to replace the factory fitted pre-amp integrated into certain turntables and / or power amps. As I'm already using a Cambridge Audio AXA 25 amp which is ideal for my smallish living space, the 'Alva Solo' seemed the natural choice - especially given the positive reviews received and described online.On the very first playing I was immediately impressed by the previously hidden detail, separation of vocals / instruments and overall enhanced dynamics of sound and warm feel of the music being generated for my listening pleasure . . . The only downside of course, is that I now need to find the many hours of free time to start working through my large record collection with the great anticipation of what other audible delights and hidden treasures await me.I hope this helps . . . Namaste

Introduced hum in my setup...