The 6 Best Professional Audio preamps (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a preamp. The triton audio triton preamp is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. The Fethead is just a simple inline pre to give you around the microphone, so it's safe to use. It provides noise-free boost to signal from low output ribbon microphones, eliminating need for boutique ribbon preamps. It will enhance your sound as well as the quality of your streams and podcasts.

The Fethead blocks the phantom power from entering the microphone, so it's safe to use. It is made for condenser microphones. The sound is clean and full. It will only work with dynamic mics and does need phantom power to work properly. The usable gain range is extremely small. The Fethead is an amazing purchase if you need the extra boost in gains without sacrificing too much in terms of audio quality.

Why We Like This:

Adds more than enough db for any dynamic mic
Frills, no fuss, and adds lots of clean gain for the low output mics
Must have for acoustic only instrument with dynamic mic
Really comes in handy when you need that little bit of gain

Best With XLR Output: Triton Audio Professional Audio Preamp

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The triton audio professional audio preamp should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. Triton Audio's Phantom Power Blocker Connector safeguards your equipment from phantom power while allowing signal to pass freely in both directions. This little pre-amp drops the need to push the recorder's pre-amp and the hiss is nearly all gone. It protects vintage preamps. The Phantom Power Blocker also prevents shorts when connecting unbalanced TRS cables to XLRs.

It is used to power the unit and it will let the phantom power pass through into the mic. The fet head phantom powers it’s self then passes to a mic that needs power.

Why We Like This:

Blocks phantom power while allowing signal to pass freely
Safeguards against damage to input transformers and under-dimensioned phantom power circuits
Compact inline preamp lowered noise floor of shotgun mic on h4n zoom recorder

Best For home Studio: Saramonic Professional Audio Preamp

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The saramonic professional audio preamp might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year. The SmartRig+ makes your recording work easier by connecting professional microphones and guitars (or other instruments) to your smartphone, tablet, DSLR camera or video camera. It has 2 channels, mono/stereo and clean sound. It allows mono mic to be split over 2 tracks with adjustment of both levels to give a safe track.

This device allows up to 4 inputs into a quality 2-channel pre-amp WITH 48 volt phantom power. It makes a great home karaoke setup, 2 mics on xlr inputs, laptop sound in one of the 3.5mm and out goes to your sound system, mirror the laptop screen to your tv and you are set. There is a very clear set of power indicators for both regular mode and. It is also a great option for cell phone shooters or other two-way situations.

Why We Like This:

You can feed your stereo mixer directly into your camera or other destination
A non-powered 3.5mm mic (small headphone jack sized)
Volume can be adjusted on each channel (1 & 2) easy to use

Best For voice: Warm Audio Professional Audio Preamp

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Best part: warm audio professional audio preamp costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The WA12 is a perfect accessory for the Bugari EVO Digital accordion. You can get vintage sound by increasing the gain and decreasing the output, and get a clear and crispy sound by decreasing the gain and increasing the output. This unit is built rock solid too. It maintains vocals good and also it is great value for the $$$$ especially for this class of preamps.

You’re gonna love this product, there’s so warm they’re hot and if you know how to turn these Dials on this machine, people are going to say “wow” this sounds so much better. The sound is absolutely beautiful. This is a pro quality product that will elevate whatever you do with it.

Why We Like This:

Excellent value for the home studio
Single channel microphone preamplifier and di with xlr, balanced and unbalanced inputs
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For The money: Musysic Professional Audio Preamp

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory preamp, musysic professional audio preamp is your solution. There is no other device that has the features of the Musysic MU-PRE-2H. This unit has Echo and also mic volume. The outputs are low-level outputs designed to go into amplifiers and then drive speakers. It features and a higher build quality for even a little more money.

The tone controls are powerful and effective and the audio fidelity is the best among several 1U mixers tested. The microphone input jack allows using this stereo control pre. The preamp output impedance should drive the amp no problem. This is very clean, no buzz.

Why We Like This:

Amp with an external microphone and also offers utmost control with microphone level control
Delivers what they promise

Best With Phantom Power: FMR Audio Professional Audio Preamp

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The fmr audio professional audio preamp should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. If you are just getting started in recording or you are a seasoned vet looking for something new and special, this is the preamp to get. It's a somewhat dark sounding preamp, but with the plethora of available EQ and exciter VST plugins, that's easy to overcome in a digital home studio. It's a tiny footprint that’s apt for desktop recording.

This Preamp is built to go together with the RNC compressor, the settings, In/Out jacks, shape, and complements the compressor box. It handles input that may be slightly distorted going in very well. It might not be as quiet as the much more expenive brands but the sound is very transparent and natural. It comes with a very good manual that gives you the ins and outs of using it effectively.

Why We Like This: