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Cambridge Audio Solo (Graphite) is rated
out of
5 by
52.
Cambridge Audio Solo (Graphite)
Moving Magnet Phono Preamplifier
£149
.95
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Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
Whatever amp you have, the Cambridge Audio Solo gets you closer to the true sound of vinyl.
Perfect for amps without a phono preamp built-in
Many amplifiers no longer come with a built-in phono preamp, which is fine if you don’t use vinyl but not so good if you want to spin some records. The Cambridge Audio Solo is a dedicated Moving Magnet phono preamp, meaning you can add a record deck to just about any amp or system with a standard AUX input. This means your choice of stereo amp or receiver is greatly expanded and, of course, you can retain the Solo phono preamp if you upgrade your main amp.
Perfect for amps with a phono preamp built-in!
Even if your main amplifier already has a phono preamp built-in, the chances are that the one inside the Solo is considerably better. Using a dedicated, switch mode power supply, the Solo is far quieter than most built-in phono preamps. The revised circuit board layout with surface-mount components further reduces noise and distortion. Factor in the shielded casing and you’ll simply hear more music and less background noise.
Subsonic filter
Not all records are pressed the same – due to the poor quality of vinyl used, some sound considerably nosier than others. Wear and tear can play its role in reducing the quality, too. With its subsonic filter, the Solo filters out low frequency rumble; reducing distortion and protecting your speakers’ woofers from excessive wear.
Make a stronger connection with your record collection, with the Cambridge Audio Solo – it’s the best upgrade to your vinyl playback you can make.
Perfect for amps without a phono preamp built-in
Many amplifiers no longer come with a built-in phono preamp, which is fine if you don’t use vinyl but not so good if you want to spin some records. The Cambridge Audio Solo is a dedicated Moving Magnet phono preamp, meaning you can add a record deck to just about any amp or system with a standard AUX input. This means your choice of stereo amp or receiver is greatly expanded and, of course, you can retain the Solo phono preamp if you upgrade your main amp.
Perfect for amps with a phono preamp built-in!
Even if your main amplifier already has a phono preamp built-in, the chances are that the one inside the Solo is considerably better. Using a dedicated, switch mode power supply, the Solo is far quieter than most built-in phono preamps. The revised circuit board layout with surface-mount components further reduces noise and distortion. Factor in the shielded casing and you’ll simply hear more music and less background noise.
Subsonic filter
Not all records are pressed the same – due to the poor quality of vinyl used, some sound considerably nosier than others. Wear and tear can play its role in reducing the quality, too. With its subsonic filter, the Solo filters out low frequency rumble; reducing distortion and protecting your speakers’ woofers from excessive wear.
Make a stronger connection with your record collection, with the Cambridge Audio Solo – it’s the best upgrade to your vinyl playback you can make.
Weight
Weight (KG)
0.68
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Incredible bit of kit
Collected this today from Prestwich, plugged it into my Marantz Pm7001 integrated amplifier, played an acoustic track through it, disconnected and went back to the built in preamp, played the same track, reverted back to the Solo, wow, what a huge difference. Brighter, clearer sound from my turntable and at a bargain price.
Date published: 2021-01-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Rural Reginald from
Great value for money, I simply love this preamp
I've got it running from my Technics 1200mk2 equipped with a VM95ML cartridge to this preamp and to my JDS Atom 2, and it sounds terrific. Highly recommend, good delivery too, on time and they didn't just leave it on the porch aha
Date published: 2021-01-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Prince Albert from
Warm up
Been on for 3 days now warmed up nicely,
sound vastly improved from cold, I disabled the auto standby
For constant performance
Date published: 2020-12-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Simple to set up
Very happy with my new preamp! Very stylish, well built and easy to set up and use. Cables could have been longer.
Date published: 2020-12-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
lill1971 from
Allowed me to use my Rega Planar 3 with CXA61 Amp
I upgraded my Amp to a Cambridge CXA61 and needed the Solo phono stage to use my Rega Planar 3 turntable, which I recently had upgraded with new wiring. Coupled with the Fyne Audio F501 speakers everything sounds great and I can persecute my family and the neighbours with loud electronic music at will.
Date published: 2020-12-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Andyk5000 from
An improvement over the 551P...? I think so..
I recently purchased this to see if this newer Solo MM phono amp was an upgrade on my older, CA551P (also an MM phono amp with no extra functionality). And, I think it is...there's certainly a bit more punch, and I think there's greater detail at the higher end too. Up until this purchase I was fairly happy with the older 551P - it sounded nice and warm, and importantly it matched the rest of my ageing CA kit, with blue LEDs etc....
But now I'm faced with a dilemma...this new Solo pre-amp certainly appears to be an improvement, which, as a standalone upgrade, would be perfectly sensible...however, the difference in appearance to my existing kit might possibly end up with an 'across the board' upgrade..a bonus for Cambridge if not for my wallet!! Oh hi-fi, why dos thou tease me so...
Date published: 2020-11-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Juleski from
Pure sound
Not sure whether it's the pre amp or the amp itself (CXA81) but the combination is sounding might fine! Really clear and bright sound.
Date published: 2020-11-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Cain75 from
Smart looking, decent sounding pre-amp
Paired it up with my Rega Planar 1 and played thru Cambridge audio 1 hifi .. difficult to big up a pre amp but it’s smart, subtle, small enough to slide down side of the hifi and sounding good!
Date published: 2020-09-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
PaulShaston from
Excellent bit of kit..
Like many over lockdown I’ve dug out my old vinyl. Had no turntable, so bought a Rega Planar 1. Needs a pre-amp, so purchased a Cambridge Audio Solo from Richer Sounds. It’s a perfect combination. Records sound better than ever, and setup was easy. Looks good too.
Delivery was efficient. Ordered online and delivered 3 days later. Well done all.
Date published: 2020-07-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MrsP from
Very easy to set up. Good quality sound
Excellent easy to set up. Simple controls. Good quality sound
Date published: 2020-06-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gilles 27 from
Fantastic phono stage
All i can say i am amazed the alva solo is a special bit of kit it has transformed my vinyl listening pleasure i am using it with a sony amp and a dual 505-1 deck which i love and didn't think i could improve the sound straight after connecting the solo the stereo seperation was enhanced the mid range and top end were crystal clear while retaining the depth of base a smooth but clear defenition i am so glad i chose the solo and experiance made better by the fantastic help from your staff avery happy listner now many thanks s jones
Date published: 2020-06-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Stu1973 from
Great amp to compliment my deck
Lovely sounding and looking thing, goes perfectly with Pro Ject deck and Naim Muso
Date published: 2020-06-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
darkhalf79 from
Fantastic, couldn't be happier
I bought this last month since my old Technics amp had finally died and I'd no way of listening to the stacks of vinyl I have. I connected it to my turntable and the other end to my Sonos system and switched it on and dropped the needle. Perfect sound. I'm so happy I can now listen to my records during lockdown.
Date published: 2020-05-03
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Muso66 from
Solo, So Great
This was a replacement for a previous Cambridge pre-amp. No background hum, no pop when it kicks in, it just does its job perfectly. Sound stage is brilliant, everything in the right place and great definition. If you don't need the headphone socket on the Duo then this is your pre- amp. Great sound and at a great price.
Date published: 2020-05-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Dubthewiser from
Great Little PreAmp
Extremely happy with my Pre-Amp, i didn't want to skimp on a cheap generic device so opted for Cambridge Audio Solo, as my AV Receiver was without a phono stage input. Boy am i pleased i did, the sound quality is fantastic and i am enjoying my vinyl records like never before. Installation is simple as you can imagine, and operation of device is easy, the automatic standby feature is great for those absent of mind moments too!
Date published: 2020-05-01
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Rustybolt1971 from
Great phono stage !!!!
I recently had a problem with my Project mm phono stage and I had no sound from my debut carbon
All my other seperates are Cambridge Audio and at the time I purchased them I decided on the project phono stage to match the turntable, I did consider the Cambridge at that point a couple of years ago, wish I did as it is really good.
Obviously there is a price difference of around £60 between the two but you can hear that when you fire up the solo.
Opens ul the music dramatically, very warm sound and bring everything up a level, the project is not a bad phono stage and for the money very good, but this is far superior.
On to the next upgrade now!!
Thank you Richer Sounds brilliant as always
Date published: 2020-04-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Nezzer1984 from
Sounds fantastic
Great sounding pre amp best pre amp so far that I have owned
Date published: 2020-04-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MarkRob70 from
Super sound
Worked a treat and gives great depth of sound to my set up
Date published: 2020-04-14
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Andyjimb from
Sounds great, tidy design
Got this up and running, linked to Audio Technica LP-5, and the sound was amazing. Couldn't tell how much of this was linked to the pre-amp as I updated my main amplifier to a Cyrus 6DAC at the same time, but the overall effect elevated my vinyl to new heights!
Date published: 2020-03-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Sjecrow from
Couldnt have been better
I booked online for collection and the Team bent over backwards to make it easy for me to collect the product. Friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff.
Date published: 2020-03-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Brooksy996 from
Excellent value for money
Early days, but all of the indications are that this is an excellent piece of kit. My previous amp had a built in phono stage, and I was tempted to replace it with something similar. However, having read the What Hi-Fi review of the CXA81 I decided to purchase it knowing that I would need a phone amp. The advice and service I received from Richers Sounds was as usual top notch.
Date published: 2020-03-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Southamite from
Money well spent
Lots of items of hi fi / accessories realise minor improvements for the money, however I am sure anyone adding an external phono stage for the first time (as I was) will be just as pleased. This one is moderately priced compared to some but has moved my Project RPM4 / Arcam 9 up a few notches.
Date published: 2020-03-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Marc534 from
Cambridge Do It Again! - Superb.
I don't know why I am surprised - but I am!
I've been building up quite a collection of vinyl over the last two years or so and in parallel - on my limited budget - getting my hifi set up to enjoy them.
OK. Teac TN300 turntable (upgraded Ortofon 2M Red stylus), Cambridge Azur amp, Mission LX2s, Cambridge interconnects and decent speaker cable (all bought from Richer Sounds)...and thought all was good...great to be honest....with excellent sound....but....after some research I decided to buy a Cambridge Alva Solo Pre Amp to bypass the build in (and perfectly good) stage included with the Teac TN300....and I have literally had my 'ears opened'!
The music (vinyl) I listen to now has a depth and warmth I had not experienced before and the levels of detail and clarity for all genres are quite superb.
I did my research - in my budget - and this product is quality, well built, good looking and a game changer!
So - if anyone cares - my advice is do your research and then rush over to Richer Sounds and hand over your hard earned shackles and get this brilliant piece of kit! You won't regret it.
Richer Sounds continue to be the 'no brainer' Go To company for all audio/visual needs...the staff are utterly professional, knowledgeable, friendly, not pushy and I should know - I've been using them for 30 years! Thank you Richer Sounds!
Date published: 2020-03-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mark C 65 from
Great product
Great pre amp easy to set up and sounds great well worth the money
Date published: 2020-02-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tinribs from
Great shop great service great staff
Great shop the staff and are so helpful all ways willing to help and give advice
Date published: 2020-02-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MISSBROWN from
Perfect for my Sonos / Turntable set up
I was recommended this over another brand and I am so glad I did. I have this preamp connected to my Rega P1 turntable and a Sonos Play 5 and it has completely transformed the sound I was getting. Don't be tempted to scrimp on the preamp! This was my initial mistake. Customer service was excellent as always!
Date published: 2020-01-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
rich detailed sound
upgraded from a more basic product and results are obvious
Date published: 2020-01-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
hank1 from
Great improvement
I have had this Cambridge Audio Solo for 2 weeks now and I can't believe the improvement it's made to old vinyl. Enjoying all my old albums one again
Date published: 2019-12-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
kramer2016 from
Nice sounding preamp but needs careful placement
A really nice sounding and an improvement over my CA 551P preamp. I also liked the idea of having the onboard power supply rather than a wall wart psu. However it was immediately apparent that the solo needed careful placement as proximity to either my turntable or my amps power supplies induced quite a noticeable hum. Whether this is unique to my set up I have no idea, but I have given the solo preamp 5 stars as it sounds pretty good. As you can see from the picture the solo looks to be very close to my tt and amp, however their power supplies are both on the far left and right respectively so are far enough away as to not cause any problems.
Date published: 2019-11-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Douglas 1951 from
Phono pre-amp for MM cartridge.
Been using this pre-amp for a couple of weeks now. Is only compatible with MM cartridges, but does the job fantastically well. Didn’t think it worthwhile to buy the Duo version for £100 extra as I only intend using MM cartridges in the future. Basic but solid piece of kit, a bargain for the price.
Date published: 2019-11-12