Technolink TC-750LC Audiophile RIAA Phono Preamp with Output Level Control, 85dB S/N; Black or Silver, Your Choice (Black)

I will not spend vast amounts of money on something as truly utilitarian as a phono stage. I am also well aware that the vast amounts of op-amp and PCB based phono preamps available today for reasonable-to-budget prices are not only cheaply and poorly designed and made, they're also in many ways antithetical to playing analog signal chain music to begin with. This little Tecnolink is none of those things, fully discrete transistor based and made by a small outfit that's been doing so for quite a few years.The noise is as-spec'd, appreciably low. The sound is great, quite musical and though not as warm and lightly/softly detailed as the phono stage onboard on my Marantz (few are) it's very very nice. It's so nice in fact that I may move this to my main table and have it take over for the Marantz for a time.It's been many years since I've had two turntables (which is why this entered the house) and this one is currently power the signal from a Technics SL-7 linear to the Marantz receiver. I initially tried the Rolls SP27 and though that one seemed as nicely made, there was an op-amp involved - it's sound was far brighter and more forward than found here. I didn't mind that, but I did mind the awful channel imbalance mine exhibited so back it went. I'd heard about these little Technolink units but have never purchased. It seems to be an absolute keeper and an easy recommendation at first glance and first listens. It is not a boutique brand tube phono stage, but I am not after that.For more feedback check out the reviews for the Technolink TC-750 here on Amazon. It is the exact same unit except that this "TC-750LC" version here adds a gain/trim pot adjustment - very useful. This is a simple, well made, excellent sounding phono preamp and if that's all you're after, your search can end here.

No idea if it the wires sent or the preamp itself but there's a humming noise that kind of ruins the entire listening experience for me

If your amplifier or receiver has an input marked PHONO, do NOT use that input with this device! This phono preamplifier *replaces* the phono preamp built into your amplifier. You cannot feed a photo preamp into another phono preamp, Instead, you must connect this phono preamp to a high-level input, which would be literally any other audio input on your amplifier, such as AUX, CD, TAPE, TUNER, even TAPE MON, etc. The only exception: a few high-end amplifiers have an input labeled PHONO but do *not* have a built-it phono preamplifier, instead, it's just a high-level input designed to be fed by an external phono preamp like this. But that's not typical, and you should read your amplifier's User Guide for more information.

After having it plugged in for just two months, the power indicator light died and device refuses to take a charge. Which makes sense, as the warranty ends after the first month. DO NOT BUY! Likely made with cheap parts that are prone to fail.Save your money for a pre-amp that will actually last; which is to say one that probably isn't on Amazon.