Did Aiyima just release the best phono preamp under $100? 

Do you use a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge?

Hey! I have this one in for review as well. I tested the MC side on a Denon DL-103r it handles it and is useable but could use a bit more gain for MC. I agree with your thoughts that this is going to be primarily a MM preamp though, good review....now I guess I better get mine wrapped up ha!

Great review. I agree with others that this is mostly marketing glitz, to include (likely mediocre) MC functionality. Set that aside, and just look at this as a really solid, hundred dollar MM option. It’s great for us consumers to have good options in this price range! My main systems preamp has a nice built in phono input, but in two other systems, I use an NAD PP 2e; I’ve been very satisfied with that phono preamp. Keep up the good work… I have just ‘subscribed’!

MM. Ortofon 2m blue. No desire to upgrade. Same with phono stage, schiit mani 2. No desire to upgrade. Nice review.

Which preamp would you recommend for a PL-112D? I have a AT-VM95E cartridge. A Denon AVR-789, and lastly two 606 S Jamo Speakers and a center Jamo speaker. Thank you

Talking about phone preamps, would you like to test and compare against the cheap Kinter PR400 which one reviewer claimed that it was actually good.

Tubes in most modern equipment are used in Cathode Follower circuits. They actually offer no gain ... buffers as Aaron says. Gimmicks indeed.

How would you compare the Aiyima to the Schiit Mani (IK the Mani is $50 more), assuming you've had the opportunity to use the Mani?

GM ☕️ Interesting phono head amp ..at that price point.

A bit odd that it offers gain from 0dB to 39dB. In what scenario would you ever be needing a phono pre-amp with 0dB or with anything much less than 30-odd dB, for that matter? Also, to do MC properly is difficult and cheapie devices like this have it purely for marketing reasons as they think it looks better value for money. I'd be willing to bet it doesn't do well with MC carts and anyone going to the trouble and expense of buying an MC cart will most likely be wanting a higher quality phono pre than this, in all honesty.

Can't go wrong with grado.