A record player without an RIAA preamp will sound tinny and horrible. As Notes ah… noted, you can buy one with the preamp built in (there will be an on/bypass switch somewhere) or an outboard pre.

Behringer makes a cheapo U-PHONE UFO202 USB phono pre that gets the job done. ART makes the USB PHONO PLUS, a really nice one for a lot more money. These don’t plug into your interface via USB—they are the interface. Both also have RCA outs if you want to plug them into an interface II have one of each). This all assumes a moving magnet cartridge on the turntable. Neither will handle the low output of moving coil cartridges.

Other than that, there are a few hundred analog RIAA phono preamps on the market ranging from $15 to $15,000 and up.


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