Cambridge Audio Alva Solo MM Phono Preamplifier

A Compact, Budget-Friendly MM Phono Stage

The Cambridge Audio Alva Solo is a phono stage built specifically for moving magnet cartridges. It's the entry point in Cambridge's Alva phono lineup, sized to sit almost anywhere on a shelf. This is the MM-only Solo. Cambridge's pricier Alva Duo adds moving coil support, so a moving coil cartridge wants that model rather than this one.

Simple to Set Up, Solidly Specified

Gain is fixed at 39dB, into a fixed 47 kOhm input with 100pF of capacitance. Those are the standard moving magnet figures, so most cartridges land where they should. RIAA accuracy is rated within ±0.65dB, from 30Hz to 20kHz.

Signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 90dB, and THD+N stays under 0.0025% at 1kHz. A built-in subsonic filter takes the rumble out of a worn or warped record, so a woofer is never asked to chase a wobble that nobody can hear anyway.

It weighs just 0.68kg and measures 48 by 176 by 132mm. An auto power-down feature shuts it off after 20 minutes of silence, so it can stay plugged in and forgotten.

Who Is This Preamp Best For?

• Anyone stepping up from a receiver's basic phono input. Dedicated RIAA correction and a quiet noise floor outperform most built-in phono stages.
• Owners of a moving magnet cartridge. Fixed gain and loading are tuned specifically for MM output levels.
• Shoppers on a tight budget. It's priced well below most standalone phono stages without skipping RIAA accuracy or a subsonic filter.
• Anyone short on shelf space. Its compact footprint tucks in beside a receiver or turntable with room to spare.
• Moving magnet only — gain and loading are fixed at MM values, so a moving coil cartridge needs a stage that can supply the extra gain. With an MM cartridge there is nothing to set at all. See our phono cartridges.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run your turntable's phono cable into the Alva Solo's RCA input, then connect its RCA output to a line-level input on your amplifier or receiver. Power it on and start listening; there are no settings to configure for a moving magnet cartridge.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo:

• Turntables without a built-in phono stage
• Moving magnet phono cartridges matched to its fixed gain
• Interconnect cables to connect its output to your amp
• Record cleaning machines, because a phono stage amplifies surface noise along with the music

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work with a moving coil cartridge?

Moving magnet is the fit here. Cambridge's pricier Alva Duo adds moving coil support.

Are gain and loading adjustable?

They are set for you. Gain, input impedance, and capacitance are all fixed at values suited to typical moving magnet cartridges.

Does it switch itself off?

An auto power-down feature shuts it down after 20 minutes of silence, and it comes back when signal returns.

Does it have a subsonic filter?

A subsonic filter is built in, and it takes the rumble out of a worn or warped record.

What's the warranty?

Cambridge Audio covers the Alva Solo with a two-year warranty when purchased from an authorized dealer, extendable to three years with product registration.

See It in Action

A closer look at the Alva Solo, unboxed:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about matching a phono preamp to your cartridge, setting up your turntable correctly, or getting the most from your vinyl collection? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.