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

I returned to vinyl after a very long time away and after dallying with a Sony automatic turntable settled on a Fluance RT5 through the phono stage of a Denon integrated amp. I was happy with the sound but noticed that I had to adjust the volume dramatically when I switched to CDs. Chatgtp suggested what I needed was a separate phono stage and after reading reviews I settled on this one. Setting up was as easy as swapping the RCA leads to the Alva and using a short pair to connect to the Denin’s AUX inputs. I left the ground lead attached to the Denon. The unit is very small and neat as you can see in my photo where it’s sitting on a standard sized CD player. The first record I played was Agnes Obel and it was like I’d had my ears cleaned out. The upgrade in sound quality and definition was actually recognisable even to my old ears. I would say that anyone who enjoys their vinyl should invest in a separate phono stage and the Alva by Cambridge Audio presents great value for money at this quality level. Chatgp actually recommended the Pro-ject but I opted for this on other reviews despite it being more expensive. Incidentally it didn’t help with the volume issue between vinyl and CDs, apparently there is nothing you can do about that !

Vinyls sound so much better now.

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.

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!

Arrived promptly, bought for second system, but currently running in on main system...all promising so far!

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.

Ein Top-Verarbeitetes Produkt! Klanglich wie auch optisch genial und das für den Preis! Hebt sich Aufjedenfall von der Konkurrenz hervor meiner Meinung nach und schlägt die Preisklassen darunter.

Un bon rapport qualité/prix. Je passais auparavant par l’entrée phono pour connecter mon ampli Marantz à ma platine, mais le son était comme étouffé, il y’a avait un certain manque de détails avec ce préamplificateur phono le son a gagné en dynamisme et précision !

Alla fine mi sono deciso ad acquistare un preamplificatore phono in sostituzione di quello disponibile nel mio amplificatore Marantz PM7000N, più per curiosità che effettiva necessità. Dopo una accurata selezione, la scelta è caduta sul Cambridge Alva solo (non mi interessano testine MC) perchè l'ho ritenuto con caratteristiche del suono molto vicine alle mie casse (Monitor audio Silver 300 7G) ed alla testina AT-VM95EN. La prima prova di ascolto è stata fatta con The dark side of the moon dei Pink Floyd. Sono rimasto stupito dalla resa sonora eccellente, con una presenza scenica di grande impatto ed una pulizia di suono efficace. I bassi erano presenti ma controllati e gli acuti mai fastidiosi o invadenti. La separazione dei canali era perfetta e gli strumenti suonavano come se fossero presenti in casa, valorizzando i crescendo tipici del Pink Floyd e rivelando suoni che nei precedenti ascolti non erano udibili. Anche se il disco ha un'età ed un vissuto di molti anni (ho il primo LP originale) non si sentiva il minimo fruscio o scariche elettriche durante la riproduzione. Tutto questo indice di una accurata gestione della sezione di alimentazione già compresa nel pre ampli e non esterna con il classico e poco efficace alimentatore esterno. Preso dall'entusiasmo ho continuato gli ascolti ancora con brani dei Pink Floyd, dei Genesis e Dire Straits, tanto da trascorrere 4 ore senza avere il minimo affaticamento acustico e godendo del risultato che ha rivalorizzato la mia collezione di LP come se li avessi acquistati adesso. Grazie a Cambridge Audio per avere progettato un dispositivo dal costo conveniente e dalle prestazioni che non hanno nulla da invidiare a pre ampli più costosi.

En realidad es la primera vez que compro esta marca, antes tenía el iFi Zen, pero sentía que "algo" faltaba, finalmente los puse a ambos a competir utilice mi tema favorito Midnight Sugar al que yo llamo el aniquilador de cápsulas, agujas y pream, si aquí suena bien, pues ese se queda en casa. La elección no fue fácil, ya que ambos en reglas generales lo hace muy, pero muy bien, el kit de la cuestión estaba en la parte alta, cuando el tema se torna más complejo por el aumento de instrumentos subiendo, como resultado el Cambridge gano la partida, sonido nítido, gran desempeño con mucho instrumental, filtro subsónico (¿?) 0,000 de ruido aun cuando la fuente es interna, pero tarda unos segundos mientras carga los capacitores, el apagado es automático. Solo hay una "pega" viene para MM, y no para ambas cápsulas. Pero bueno se tolera bien, quizás al tener una fuente interna y tener que manejar sensibilidades tan bajas debe aumentar mucho, mucho la ganancia y ello puede tener que pagarse. Estética sobria, elegante, marca de la casa. Una Gran compra. -Cápsula AT-VN95E. -Technics SL-1200M7L -Cayin CS-55A Special Edition -Wharfedale Linton

Hay tanta diferencia con preamplificador de gama baja, que el cambio hace que parezca que cambiaste todo el equipo. Elimina por completo ese molesto sonido de vacío entre las canciones y puedes subir graves, agudos y volumen general del amplificador perdiendo la distorsión en los altavoces. Es caro, otros más baratos pueden hacerte el "apaño" pero éste aparta el trigo de la paja.