Cambridge Audio Alva Duo

Name: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
Brand: Cambridge audio
SKU: 639646a3bad181c68982ca8b
Rating: 3.4 (29 reviews)

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in Phono Preamp

Based on 29 reviews

The Looria Grade (A - F) accounts for multiple factors, including sentiment, helpfulness, and more. Learn about our sources and ranking.

#176 most mentioned

Reddit · r/turntables

Great sound quality

Sleek and stylish design

Versatile with headphone amp and L/R balance

Improves vinyl setup

Affordable price

Not ideal for headphone use due to low volume and hissing

Some reviewers experienced feedback when using it as a preamp connector

Not all reviewers found it to be a significant improvement over other phono preamps

Verdict

Overall, the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo receives positive reviews for its sleek design, outstanding sound quality, and versatility. Many reviewers praise its ability to improve their vinyl setup and beat out other phono preamps. However, some reviewers note issues with the headphone amp, such as low volume and hissing. Despite this, the Alva Duo is still considered a top-notch phono preamp at an affordable price.

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Cambridge Duo headphone amplifier & phono preamp | Crutchfield

And that will do the basic job for you. You'll still get that wonderful Cambridge build quality, that look, and that wonderful spacious sound that you...

Cambridge Audio Duo MM/MC Phono Preamplifier – Audio Advisor

Combining a sleek and stylish exterior cabinet with an outstanding sound quality, this phono preamp is the demand answer for those that want the very ...

HiFi - Swapping a Turntable Cartridge & The Cambridge Alva Duo Phono Pre-Amp

But turning it on sounds as good as the previous one, really. I'm not going to say there's any great difference between the two. The output level from...

Splurged last weekend on a set of Heresy IVs and a Naim Uniti Atom

My current vinyl setup is... Nagaoka MP-200 (another upgrade from the past year) > Technics SL1200 MK2 > Cambridge Audio Alva Duo > Naim Atom > Klipsch Heresy IV. For digital, I'm just running Roon through the Atom. Differences between the old and new...vinyl sounds more detailed, with a bigger, more expansive soundstage. (I'm pretty sure the MP-200 and Duo are helping bring out that detail as well.)

Positive

exploreshreddiscover

4 years ago

reddit.com/r/audiophile

Lively amplifier, some early quality issues

I recently ordered the Duo to replace a Cambridge Azur MM phono amplifier. The Azur had developed a fuzz in the left channel that was particularly prevalent when using some sensitive headphones (Sennheiser HD 600). After spending three hours with the device, I have enough information to draw a concl...

Best use of $500 on analog setup

Upgrade all 3 for $500. Get a SpinClean kit, one of those $100-200 preamps that everyone recommends (School Mani, Cambridge Audio Alva Solo/Duo, if ZenPhono, ArtDJ Phono Pre), and a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge.

Neutral

pridetwo

2 years ago

reddit.com/r/turntables

Pre-amp good, headphone not so much

My wife wanted a smaller foot print device than my music hall a15.3 so we matched this with our Sonos port and Sonos 5’s. I wouldn’t say it sounds as good as my prior set up, but it’s a huge improvement over the built-in pre-amp on my Audio Technica LP120USB . My only gripe is I picked this amp spec...

Phono stage advice needed

I have nothing but praise for the unit. It handily beat out my other phono preamps, the Mani the Cambridge Alva Duo and the Jolida JD-9.

Positive

TiberKing

3 years ago

reddit.com/r/audiophile

mine had an issue of feedback, even with a ground cable

I had to return mine. When i used it as a preamp connector, it gave me feedback. When using it as a headphone amp, it works perfectly.

Just starting out with my first pair of serious speakers. Receiver is the next thing to go. Any integrated amp / amp & preamp suggestions?

These speaker sound incredible. Way wider soundstage than my Def Tech BP8060s with tighter and more restrained bass response. Absolutely in love with it and look forward to keeping these for a while while I do some upgrading in between the turntable and speakers in the meantime.

Positive

DeadlyPuncake

3 years ago

reddit.com/r/audiophile

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