5.0 out of 5 stars PERFECTION

M.D.R. · June 3, 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I had forgotten how exceptional, superior, and warm vinyl sounded until I connected my new Alva Solo Phono Preamplifier to my 40-year-old Dual Model CS5000 Turntable. I applaud the musicians and other team members at Cambridge Audio for engineering an audiophile's dream. "South City Midnight Lady" on The Doobie Brothers' "The Captain and Me" album was the first song I played!

5.0 out of 5 stars High quality phono preamp (MM)

F. · April 1, 2025

High quality phono preamp for use with moving magnet cartridge turntables. Clean sound. Internal power supply is better than having another bulky wall wart to deal with. Big enough case so connections are not jammed tightly together.

5.0 out of 5 stars You don’t have to break the bank to treat your ears

S. · February 19, 2021

I recently purchased a new turntable and decided that the old Behringer preamp had to go. There are plenty of cheap options and even more expensive ones so I was pleased to find the solo at a little under $200. I also looked at a slightly less expensive model from Schiit which got a lot of great reviews but there was also mention of some issues with quality control so I decided to go with the more established company and bought the solo. Shipping took a bit as it came from the U.K. But that was expected. Within ten minutes of the UPS driver leaving it at my door I had it hooked up and running. The difference in sound quality was immediately noticeable. Instrument separation and clarity was drastically increased and the low end became clean and powerful.About three weeks later however the brilliance seemed to vanish and I noticed a hum when the turntable motor was powering up. I had read a review which mentioned the loss of sound quality and got a bit depressed, believing I may have a faulty unit. Before trying to box the thing back up and starting the warranty process I decided to try something. I unplugged the turntable from the power strip that the solo was also plugged into and ran it to a strip connected to a different outlet.Oh happy day, the hum is gone and the sound is vibrant once again!!Perhaps my next investment will be power management gear but that’s for another day.I guess my only gripe (now that the first issue is resolved) would be the power indicator. When it’s on it’s slightly bright. When off it’s slightly less bright and doesn’t change color. Not the end of the world and not at all relevant to the fantastic sound quality so I’m giving this unit all the stars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Love Cambridge Audio

P. · January 24, 2024

I love Cambridge Audio. I own a CD player and a streamer. Excellent quality, however I found the Alva Solo very good but not great. Looks great and excellent quality build. Having a Schiit Mani 2, I wanted to see if this phono stage was an upgrade. I noticed a low level hum which I find a deal breaker. Hook the Mani 2 back up dead silent. Not even close. I also felt the low end lacked some punch. The highs maybe a little, and could the 100pf cause this, maybe. The lows, mids, and highs roll off the Mani 2 like a summer sunset. This unit can’t compete with the Mani 2. The adjustments on the Mani 2 vs no adjustments on the Solo is lowers it’s adaptability. Maybe you will have better sound with your setup as components vary. I wanted this to be a better unit but unfortunately it isn’t. I also have a Musical Fidelity V90 (excellent also) which sounds comparable to the Solo but not as good as the Mani 2. That’s why it’s rated at a 4.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly as advertised

T.G. · July 16, 2023

So I have a fairly small space, and wanted to add a turntable in addition to streaming music on Klipsch “The Fives” speakers. Hardly audiophile quality, but the warmth of vinyl makes a difference to the jazz I listen to as well as some of the classical stuff. Since I don’t have an amplifier, I bought the Cambridge pre amp to take it from the table to the speakers. Before the pre amp arrived, I played some records using the pre amp in the speakers. It was OK, not bad not great. Then I got the pre amp, and after a quick and SIMPLE setup put on a Diana Krall album. It was just spectacular. I can’t speak the language of people who dive deep . . . but it you are looking at a pre amp this is well worth the money. The difference is readily apparent.

1.0 out of 5 stars Two faulty units later…

A.C. · February 18, 2022

The media could not be loaded. Update,World Wide Stereo told me on the phone that there is nothing they would do for me and I had to deal with Cambridge Audio. They told me I was out of the 60 day return window. The preamp started it’s buzz and I reached out to them at 70 days, but they would not at still will not help me. Cambridge Audio said they would not give me a refund. The only thing they could do is keep replacing units until they find one that works. I have tried three preamps so far. All have some degree of buzzing that is not acceptable. Cambridge Audio nor World Wide Stereo seem to care that they sold a product that is so bad.I bought this last summer. It started to buzz outside of world wide stereo’s return window. They told me I had to deal with Cambridge Audio. I did, and they sent me a new preamp. The new preamp buzzed louder then my first one right out of the box. The video is of the replacement. After many emails with Cambridge Audio they came to the conclusion it was a faulty unit. I had my old NAD preamp and it didn’t have the buzz when I hooked it back up. The buzz was from the output of the Cambridge Audio Solo. I asked for a refund because my confidence in the unit is very low. Two preamps start to buzz in under a year. They sent me a third unit as a replacement without doing the refund I asked for, or telling me that is what they were going to do. I was lead to believe I could get a refund by the customer support person I was in contact with. I emailed them about the refund and they sent me back to world wide stereo. This is crazy! Someone should give me a refund on a product that has failed to work properly twice in less than a year, and it was two different units that failed. Do the right thing someone please!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic preamp!

E.t.N. · October 22, 2024

Sounds great! I'm not the kind of audiophile who thinks he hears the difference between two different spec compliant USB cables, but this absolutely does a better job at RIAA equalization than the $30 no name preamp I was using. No audible noise/hiss when powered on. It's a keeper!

Parfait !

M. · April 22, 2020

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } L'ampli est arrivé en parfait état. Il n'y avait aucune imperfection visible nulle part. Pas d'empreintes digitales - rien. Bien que je l'aie reçu il y a seulement quelques heures, le son est déjà très élégant et aéré, sans aucun bruit. Le niveau de volume est inférieur à celui de certains autres préamplis, mais similaire à celui des modèles d'amplis intégrés des années 70. C'est en fait une bonne chose car cela permet d'avoir beaucoup plus de marge et moins de chances d'avoir de la distorsion. Mon autre préampli (109,00 $) est déjà très bon, mais j'ai estimé que mon Arcam méritait un meilleur préampli en fonction de mon budget. Je suis très impressionné. L'emballage et la présentation sont excellents. Un excellent achat pour égayer mes journées en raison de la pandémie. Cambridge a un gagnant ici !***Mise à jour novembre 2023 : l'ampli fonctionne aussi bien qu'en 2020. Rien n'a changé !

Bueno.

M.G. · December 2, 2021

Buen precio y llegó todo en orden, buen preamp.

Pare de ouvir se puder

a.o. · October 2, 2024

Decidir comprar um módulo desses com um custo elevado para nós brasileiros requer acima de tudo coragem e uma boa dose de otimismo. Fazia tempo que não investia em um pré de phono e estava muito satisfeito com os que meus amplificadores vintages japonêses incorporavam (Sansui AU-505 de 1974 e Kenwood KA-2500 de 1969), mas como atualizei meu toca-discos para um Audio Technica AT-LP5x (eu tinha um Technics SL-1800) e gostei do up sonoro, resolvi, com um pé atrás, espetar esse Alva Solo na traseira de meus pequenos integrados. O que já era bom ficou ainda melhor e abriu as portas para patamares sonoros insuspeitos e ainda a serem explorados onde as constantes a mim mais atraentes foram a amplitude de palco e principalmente a neutralidade benfazeja do respeito aos registros originais. Gravações já gastas e mais críticas e estridentes foram submetidas ao Solo que as transformou não só em algo agradável mas sumamente palatável. Os melhores prensados e mais conservados registros então pareciam convidar a um banquete nos próprios estúdios e aí precisei frear meu entusiasmo pois não poderia passar o dia e a noite toda ouvindo música. Uma das melhores aquisições que já fiz. Quem tem medo de comprar, como eu tive, pode ir de olhos vendados.

Great pre-amplifier

A.C. · August 24, 2021

I am super happy to have picked up this pre-amplifier. Did my research on this product and very much worth the money. Solid build and quality brand.

ótimo equipamento

D. · January 14, 2025

Atendeu as expectativas, muito bom ;-)