Name: Pro-Ject Phono Box MM
Brand: Pro-Ject
SKU: 252PBMMB
Price: 79.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (79 reviews)

OVERVIEW

by Crutchfield's

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

Purchased this Project preamp a few weeks ago,easy install and was anxious to drop the needle I experienced a deeper base and clarity from the midrange,I would recommend this to everyone needing a preamp.

Donda from Science Hill, KY

See all 79 reviews

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:

79 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

Q

Crutchfield asked: Why did you buy this?

Cannot get audio from the turntable connected to my receiver without turning little speakers all the way up. [ James Apr 21, 2020 ]

Great reviews. Plan to use it with my Pro-ject brand turntable. [ Stephen Apr 10, 2020 ]

I need this to connect my turntable to Yamaha receiver that doesn't have a phono input. [ Richard Mar 30, 2020 ]

I need it for my 45 yr old Yamaha turntable.It is a direct drive MC and I have over 700 LPs that my wife and I would love to listen to again but with my new receiver which has no phono port to plug it in to I have no recourse. [ william m. Mar 26, 2020 ]

Chose this item after it was recommended by Eddie via E-Mail. [ Vaughn Mar 24, 2020 ]

The reviews were helpful and the price point was good [ Michael Jan 12, 2020 ]

Newer turntable not working, decided to get out old turntable from 1975, but receivers don't have pre-amps anymore. [ Ronald Dec 09, 2019 ]

The Price was great, and it came highly recommended. [ Timothy Dec 06, 2019 ]

I have a unit that doesn't have a turntable pre-amp. Recommended by Nemo [ DANIEL P Feb 27, 2019 ]

Old turntable needs to be part of New system [ J Jan 01, 2019 ]

Sounds like a good buy for the price based on reviews. [ Robert Dec 29, 2018 ]

Purchased new Sony DN1080 receiver and needed to hook up my turntable. [ John Dec 11, 2018 ]

My Denon receiver doesn't have a phono input and my Audio-Technica turntable doesn't have a pre-amp. Jolene advised this MM type box will be compatible with the hardshell cartridge that came with the turntable. Best Customer Service anywhere imho. [ Simon Nov 21, 2018 ]

Needed to connect old turntable to newer A/V receiver with no "phono" input. Googled how to do it and the first article I saw was from Crutchfiled with step by step tips. [ X Sep 30, 2018 ]

chat with crutchfield [ steve Sep 19, 2018 ]

Cost effective and seemingly reliable phono for my first turntable purchase. [ Eric Sep 18, 2018 ]

Per adviser Tine saying it will work with my MMC EN20 B&O 3400 Turntable. [ Patrick O. May 08, 2018 ]

Needed for new Sony A/V receiver. Phono preamp is no longer on the back of the unit. [ Mark Mar 21, 2018 ]

I do have a receiver with phono input. However I found that when I play a record, I lose volume / out put power when compared to audio out put of the other components like the cd player or satellite radio, tuner and dvd. It was suggested that I get an independent phono pre- amp and plug it into to the reciever as one would do as if the receiver did not have a phono input. So I am waiting fot this project pre amp to see if I get a fuller sound as I do with my other components. Hope it works! [ CHRISTOPHER Mar 10, 2018 ]

Price and need for a preamp [ Ken Mar 05, 2018 ]

Upgraded to modern receiver and receiver did not have phono jack. [ Gerald Jan 25, 2018 ]

Recommended by Crutchfield advisor [ RICHARD Dec 27, 2017 ]

The preamp I bought from Amazon was just too cheap and hideous [ Ivan Dec 20, 2017 ]

Great Christmas gift for my son. Thanks for the great prices & service! [ LISA Dec 07, 2017 ]

I am going to add a record player [ Carlos M Nov 30, 2017 ]

Hopefully a cheap and easy fix that will allow me to utilize an older turntable with an updated system. We will see! [ John Nov 21, 2017 ]

A price-minded phono preamp purchase. [ John A. Nov 03, 2017 ]

Because I am old school and still use a turntable. [ keith Oct 31, 2017 ]

to be able to use my turntable with my receiver [ William Oct 11, 2017 ]

Just bought a new receiver without phono input. Was looking for a reasonably priced phono pre-amp. I found that this pre-amp has received high ratings from many websites. It is considered to be one of the best under $100 phono pre-amps. [ Vince Jul 18, 2017 ]

Price was right and it's what I need. [ Joseph Jun 20, 2017 ]

Price, quality and simplicity. [ Omar May 21, 2017 ]

No matter what I have purchased from Crutchfield they help make it work. [ John May 15, 2017 ]

It was recommended to hook up a record player to the receiver I chose. [ Phillip Apr 05, 2017 ]

Need to be able to play my vinyl! Have never used one of these but seemed to make good sense. [ William Mar 20, 2017 ]

Spoke with Buzz to confirm this is the preamp I needed for my turntable. [ Richard Nov 09, 2016 ]

Small compact and fit my needs. [ Richard Nov 04, 2016 ]

Upgrade to system; use turntable [ FRANK Oct 15, 2016 ]

pro-ject makes great products [ charles Sep 13, 2016 ]

Good Price [ Terry Aug 16, 2016 ]

I chose this product because so that I could listen to my vinyl collection from 60s and 70s. through my receiver/speakers. [ Pradeep S. Jun 29, 2016 ]

Value and reviews. [ Michael Jun 24, 2016 ]

I've bought one before. Great for the price. [ Alan Jun 02, 2016 ]

Least expensive phono pre-amp and seems to be most popular choice for phono pre-amp for receiver (Marantz NR1506) that does not have phono input/pre-amp built in. [ Andy May 13, 2016 ]

Reasonably priced solution to my phono preamp needs. [ E May 13, 2016 ]

Excellent rating [ Philip May 12, 2016 ]

High reviews and best seller. Also in my price range. [ CHARLES May 01, 2016 ]

Advice from my expert technical advisor, Ann. Ann's Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=55 [ Elizabeth Apr 14, 2016 ]

I needed it. [ Walter Apr 11, 2016 ]

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7 questions already asked

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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