EAT E-Glo Petit 2 Vacuum Tube Phono Preamplifier

A Compact Hybrid Tube Phono Stage

The EAT E-Glo Petit 2 is an MM/MC phono preamplifier built around a hybrid circuit. Two 12AX7 vacuum tubes handle the gain stage, paired with low-noise J-FET transistors for the rest of the signal path.

This is the second generation of EAT's compact Petit phono stage. The update mainly refines the cabinet, adding magnetic side panels you can remove yourself and a black finish alongside the original silver.

It's a smaller, single-input model, distinct from EAT's larger flagship E-Glo and E-Glo S phono stages. Those add a second input and other reference-level features. It's also different from the E-Glo Petit B, a pricier, fully balanced model with its own discrete circuit.

There is no MM/MC switch to throw. Cartridge matching happens entirely through the gain and impedance settings, which keeps the front panel clear and puts every decision in one place. Set it for the cartridge you own and it stays set.

Extensive Gain and Loading for Careful Matching

Gain switches across six levels: 40, 45, 50, 60, 65 and 70dB. That range runs from moving magnet all the way to low-output moving coil, so no outboard step-up box is needed at either end.

Moving coil loading offers eight values, from 10 to 1,200 ohms. Moving magnet loading offers eight of its own, from 30 to 75 kOhms. Capacitance switches across six settings between 50 and 620pF, which is more adjustment than most cartridges will ever ask for.

RIAA accuracy is held within ±0.1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. Distortion measures 0.15% at 5mV and 1kHz with 45dB of gain. The noise floor is rated at 87dB A-weighted, or 70dB unweighted over the same band.

The case measures 226 by 78 by 262mm. That is small enough to sit beside a turntable rather than claim a shelf of its own, which is much of the point of the Petit.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Alexander Aschenbrunner reviewed the Petit 2 for Fidelity Magazine in July 2024. He found that it "finds the smallest notes with downright sensitivity," and that "the little EAT phono never runs the risk of dropping a thing."

Simon Wilce reviewed it for HiFi and Music Source in February 2025, testing it with a Michell Gyro SE turntable. He wrote that "the E-Glo Petit II is on point throughout."

Who Is This Preamp Best For?

• Listeners who want tube warmth without giant tube gear. A hybrid circuit brings genuine tube coloration into a compact, single-input chassis.
• Owners of hard-to-match cartridges. Six gain settings and sixteen combined loading values cover a wide range of MM and MC cartridges.
• Listeners who want proven, independently reviewed performance. Two named reviewers at established publications tested it and recommended it.
• Anyone short on shelf space. Its compact chassis fits systems that can't accommodate EAT's larger E-Glo models.
• One turntable at a time — a single input means a second deck needs a stage of its own. If one deck is your system, this is the whole vinyl front end, and its six gain settings and sixteen loading values suit almost any cartridge. See our moving coil cartridges.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run your turntable's phono cable into the E-Glo Petit 2's RCA input. Connect its RCA output to a line-level input on your amplifier or preamp. Set the internal gain, loading, and capacitance to match your cartridge before you start listening.

Give the tubes a few minutes to warm up for their best sound.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the EAT E-Glo Petit 2:

• Turntables without a built-in phono stage
• Phono cartridges, MM or MC, matched to its extensive gain and loading options
• 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

How is this different from the original E-Glo Petit?

The core circuit and specifications carry over. The Petit 2 mainly updates the cabinet, with removable magnetic side panels and a new black finish option alongside silver.

Do I need a separate step-up transformer for a moving coil cartridge?

It is already built in. Gain up to 70dB and loading down to 10 ohms cover low-output moving coil cartridges without an outboard box.

How is this different from the E-Glo Petit B?

The Petit B is a pricier, fully balanced model built around its own discrete circuit. The Petit 2 is a single-ended, hybrid tube design. It sits at a more accessible price.

Can I use it with a moving magnet cartridge?

Yes. Moving magnet loading offers eight values from 30 to 75 kOhms, and the lower gain settings are cut for MM output levels.

What's the warranty?

EAT covers its tubes for 12 months or 2,000 hours of use, whichever comes first. A separate whole-unit warranty period wasn't published by EAT or its dealers. Check with your dealer for full coverage terms at the time of purchase.

See It in Action

Italian retailer Gira2 (SuonoIT) takes a closer look at the Petit 2:

German retailer WE LOVE HIFI puts the Petit 2 through its own testing:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about tube versus solid-state phono stages, matching a preamp to your cartridge, or getting the most from your vinyl collection? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.