S.M.S.L has been making compact audio gear for years, and the PH-1 packs two useful tools into one small box. It’s a phono preamp with 46dB of gain, which lines up perfectly with most moving magnet cartridges. And it doubles as a headphone amp with a 6.35mm output. That means you can plug in your turntable and listen privately without needing a separate receiver or powered speakers.

The CNC-machined aluminum body is only 96 by 94 by 30mm—small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. The 46dB gain stage keeps distortion low, with a THD+N rating of -81dB. In practice, that means the surface noise and pops from your records come through without added electronic fuzz. The headphone output is clean and drives most dynamic headphones to comfortable listening levels.

One thing to note: this is an MM-only preamp. If you run a moving coil cartridge, you will need additional step-up gear. The RCA and USB connectivity covers standard turntable hookups and a direct link to a computer for digitizing vinyl. For the size and price, the PH-1 delivers straightforward, no-nonsense performance for anyone who wants to spin records without a full stack of equipment.