Name: Pro-Ject Phono Box MM
Brand: Pro-Ject
SKU: 252PBMMB
Price: 79.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (103 reviews)

OVERVIEW

Get back in touch with your record collection

Do you have a turntable, but no phono input on your receiver or shelf system? No problem — just hook up the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM preamplifier inline between your record player and any of your receiver's aux inputs, and you're ready to enjoy your LP collection all over again. This preamp's clean, simple design takes advantage of high-quality, low-noise circuitry to give you the warm, richly detailed sound that vinyl is famous for, at a bargain price.

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Get back in touch with your record collection

Need a cable?

This phono preamp does not come with an RCA cable to connect to your receiver or amp.

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Product highlights:

compatible with moving magnet phono cartridges
external power supply for reduced noise and interference
metal case shields electronics from vibration and electromagnetic interference
gold-plated input and output RCA jacks for solid, corrosion-free connections
dual-mono circuitry for optimal channel separation
small size allows placement near turntable
input impedance: 47 kohms/120pF
gain: 40dB
signal-to-noise ratio: 88dB
THD: 0.04%
RIAA response accuracy: 0.5dB (20-20,000 Hz)
4-1/4"W x 1-3/16"H x 3-11/16"D
warranty: 2 years
Our 60-day money-back guarantee
MFR # PhonoBox MM-BK

What's in the box:

Pro-Ject Phono Box MM owner's manual

Phono (MM) pre-amplifier
DC power supply (with attached 5' DC output cord)
US power plug adapter
UK power plug adapter
EU power plug adapter
Instructions (English/ German)

Featured review

This was exactly what I needed for my vintage Dual 1245. My new receiver did not have the phono inputs like my old Akai did. The unit is simple, without any need for me to access it regularly and without a large price tag.

thepearl from Basking Ridge, NJ

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Customer Q&A

I have a new Pro-ject Phono Box for a pre amp for an old AR turntable with new ortofon 2M Red Verso cartridge. I have a Sony STR-DE 595 receiver but the sound is too quiet. What should I do?

If the Sony has a Phono input than plug the patch cord in there. If it doesn't than use the AUX on the receiver by plugging turntable to Phono Box and then connect to Receiver. This should work.

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REVIEWS

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Pro-Ject Phono Box MM reviews

Average review:

103 reviews

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DETAILS

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Cartridge Type	MM
Subsonic Filter	No
Adjustable Resistance Load	No
Adjustable Capacitance Load	No
Vacuum Tube	No
Connections
RCA Inputs	1 Pair
XLR Inputs	No
RCA Outputs	1 Pair
XLR Outputs	No
USB Output	No
Specs
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MM)	88
Signal-to-noise Ratio (MC)	Not given

Product Research

Features

Phono (MM) Preamp: The Pro-Ject Phono Box MM allows you to connect a turntable with a MM (moving magnet) cartridge to a home receiver or amplifier without a dedicated phono input.

Metal Case: The Phono Box MM's metal case shields the electronics from vibration and electromagnetic interference.

Dual-Mono Circuitry: The Phono Box MM provides optimal channel separation through dual-mono circuitry and low-noise ICs.

RIAA Equalization: The Pro-Ject Phono Box MM provides amplification and RIAA equalization for MM cartridges.

RCA Connections: The Phono Box MM features gold-plated stereo RCA connections. A stereo RCA input connects your turntable, and a stereo RCA output connects your home receiver or amplifier. RCA cables sold separately.

Ground Terminal: The phono preamp also has a turntable ground, in case your turntable has a separate ground lead. This provides shielding to the tone-arm and the sensitive circuitry in the turntable.

Outboard Power Supply: The Pro-Ject Phono Box MM is powered by the included DC power supply. The external power adapter is separate from the phono preamp to further improve sound quality.

Input: 100-240V AC~50/60Hz, 0.4A max
Output: +/-18V DC - 0.5A

ACCESSORIES

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Q&A

10 questions already asked

I own the pro-ject debut carbon evo turntable and the kanto u6 speakers. I know speakers have a built in preamp but will this pro-ject phono box mm preamp make the sound quality that much better or should I still with connecting my turntable directly to my speakers?

[ Natalie Dec 29, 2020 ]

3 answers

I don't know. I bought the preamp to allow my 30 year old turntable to connect to a new amplifier that did not include a phono preamp. It worked perfectly

[ Don Dec 29, 2020 ]

Thank you!

[ Natalie Dec 29, 2020 ]

Hard to tell. The project phono preamp may be a better phono preamp than the built in phono preamp of the Kanto speaker. It will probably be hard to tell the difference. If you are not satisfied with the sound that you now experience it may be worth it to try.

[ djansk Dec 29, 2020 ]

Hi. I am receiving a ground hum when I use the Line input on my Audio Technica turntable. I am using the ground screw on the turntable to my receiver. Any suggestions? All connections are secure.

[ JAMES Nov 21, 2020 ]

2 answers

Hi James - You can try lifting the ground at the source effectively making it a telescoping ground. That might work. Bob

[ bob Nov 27, 2020 ]

Ground loops can be tricky to fix. Try not connecting to the ground screw.

[ djansk Nov 22, 2020 ]

I have the Marantz NR 1200 AV receiver and it comes with phono inputs but the sound is not to my liking. Can I run the Pro-ject Audio Phono Box through my phono inputs on the reeiver. for a better sound?

[ David Mark Sep 20, 2020 ]

2 answers

Hi, I purchased the Phono Box because my receiver did not have the correct input to connect to the turntable directly. I can't speak to improved sound quality, but it works.

[ Robert Sep 20, 2020 ]

I really prefer the sound from the Pro-ject preamp. If you use any external preamplifier you must use a regular line/aux input (tape, CD, Aux, etc.)

[ Derek Sep 20, 2020 ]

I have a Rega RP1 turntable and want to connect with an old Pioneer VSX-D514 receiver. Will this amp work?

[ Mark Apr 09, 2020 ]

2 answers

Absolutely. This should be compatible with any standard receiver RCA inputs to a receiver, as well as taking phono RCA outputs from the turntable. That's what this is for.

[ ANDRES Apr 20, 2020 ]

I used this to connect my Pro-ject debut carbon turntable to a Marantz receiver and works fine. I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work for you, assuming you need a pre-amp. If its a really old Pioneer receiver, then it may already have a built in preamp.

[ Michael Apr 20, 2020 ]

Can this be connected to TV/VIDEO Audio In R and L RCA jacks?

[ Carlos Mar 06, 2020 ]

1 answer

Yes. As long as you are plugging it in to some sort of AUX input it will work.

[ Derek Mar 06, 2020 ]

I have a Klipsch R15-PM pro-ject system.. I believe the internal pre-amp is shot as it emits a high pitched sound when the switch is on. No one will repair/replace it so I was looking to see if this was a viable option? The speakers themselves work perfectly outside of the Phono options.

[ Evan Dec 28, 2019 ]

3 answers

You can use a phono pre-amp like this one instead of using the one in the Klipsch powered speakers. This can fix it as long as that switchable input on the Klipsch doesn't have the high pitched sound with pre-amp level audio.

[ Paul Jan 28, 2020 ] Staff

This or any external pre amp needs a line other than a phono stage to be plugged into. If this system has that option, then I see no reason not to order one to see if it works as an alternatve to already existing internal pre amp. If there is a line to plug the external pre amp into rca wise, and there is a way to shut the internal amp off and go "line" then I would give this a try. Chances are this external pre amp is better whether your internal preamp is gone or not. I got mine as an alternative to the phono input that came with my receiver. I installed the pro ject pre amp into a line and my turntable sounds much better. I say its worth a try provided the stipulations I made above. Line access option, turn of phono pre amp option.You can not plug this ore amp into a phono jack! Only a line other than for a phono. If you have to return the pre amp, then I am sure Crutchfield will understand ir be wiling to help. Chris

[ CHRISTOPHER Jan 28, 2020 ]

Evan - Yes, I am fairly sure this will work for you as long as you have a spare input. My Sony receiver does not have a phono input. So, I used the Video 1 cable input. My turntable works fine. Hope this helped

[ Top-82 Jan 28, 2020 ]

I have a new Pro-ject Phono Box for a pre amp for an old AR turntable with new ortofon 2M Red Verso cartridge. I have a Sony STR-DE 595 receiver but the sound is too quiet. What should I do?

[ Stuart Oct 20, 2019 ]

4 answers

All of the above answers are good advice. Also remember that you have lifetime tech support on any product purchased with us. If you are having issues, give us a call! https://www.crutchfield.com/support/ContactUs.aspx

[ Calvin Oct 30, 2019 ] Staff

Make sure you have quality cables/wires goint to and from the Phono Box (Turntable to Box, and Box to receiver). If that's checked off, you may just need to run your reciever at much higher volume. This is where a quality receiver can "handle" the job. A lesser receiver might not have the power.

[ ANDRES Oct 30, 2019 ]

If the Sony has a Phono input than plug the patch cord in there. If it doesn't than use the AUX on the receiver by plugging turntable to Phono Box and then connect to Receiver. This should work.

[ Stephen Oct 30, 2019 ]

It seems very strange that Crutchfield doesn't answer your question directly. The Ortofon cartridge is a moving magnet design with a normal phono output level, about 5mV for 5cm/sec at 1kHz, same as a Shure V15, for example. So assuming that the turntable is connected properly to the Pro-ject and the Project output is going into an appropriate Sony input, it should work. Why not try plugging the output cables from the Pro-ject into other Sony input, say, the CD or Aux. If the Sony has any gain switches hidden on the back, you could try those as well. The Pro-ject that I bought has worked fine.

[ MARK Oct 29, 2019 ]

I have a new Pro-Ject DEBUT Carbon DC turntable that was bought from Crutchfield. It has a a Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. I believe it is a MM cartridge, but not positive. Since my Sony Receiver doesn't have Phono inputs. Will this work? Thanks in advance.

[ Top-82 Jan 31, 2018 ]

4 answers

Yes. This box solved the exact same issue for me.

[ DAVID Feb 01, 2018 ]

Yes, your Ortofon cartridge is a MM (Moving Magnet) cartridge. You need an MM phono pre-amp like this one (which is great, by the way). Plug your phono pre-amp into any of the line outputs (marked CD, Aux, etc.). You'll be off and running.

[ Michael Jan 31, 2018 ]

Yes. I have the same turntable and a Yamaha amp and use thr same project pre amp.

[ Paul Jan 31, 2018 ]

What input options does your receiver have? I previously used a Pioneer Receiver that has TV/SAT inputs, and I plugged my turntable into that. I would think you would be able to plug this into whatever input you had been using for a turntable. (Unless it's a USB only turntable?)

[ Alicia Jan 31, 2018 ]

I have a tune table with a R1000-EDT magnetic cartage. Will the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM work with my turn table?

[ Paul Jan 09, 2014 ]

1 answer

It looks like the R1000-EDT is a moving magnet cartridge, so this should work for you. I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone or online chat first to double check though.

[ Jeff Jan 09, 2014 ] Staff

How would I know if my turntable has a moving magnet cartridge and would be compatible? My turntable is a very old direct drive Marantz .

[ Donna Dec 27, 2013 ]

1 answer

Thanks for your question. For information on determining the type of cartridge your turntable has I would recommend trying an internet search for the model number. Yo could also reach out to an Advisor by phone or online chat. They will be able to help determine the type of cartridge and help you get the best gear for your system.

[ Jeff Dec 28, 2013 ] Staff

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