Schiit Audio goes vinyl with the release of the all-new Mani phono preamplifier, a flexible and inexpensive phono preamp, that really does look like it’s going to shake things up a little. The Mani phonostage has 4 different gain levels to accommodate virtually any cartridge from moving coil to Decca, plus selectable loading, for $129.

“With the recent resurgence of interest in vinyl, it makes sense to offer an affordable phono preamp that can handle pretty much any source,” said Mike Moffat, Co-Founder of Schiit Audio, and Mani’s designer.

Mani features a fully passive RIAA network with two separately switchable gain blocks, for 30, 42, 48, and 59dB settings. Schiit’s pre’ss release says that “Separate, low-noise and low-distortion amplifier stages mean low noise floor” and that “High-output cartridges, even the renowned Deccas, are easily accommodated, as are other moving magnet, moving coil, and low-output moving coil cartridges. This allows someone to experiment with a wide range of cartridges to fit their needs”.

“A lot of people ask me ‘why is the father of audiophile digital moving into analog now?'” Mike continued. “The truth is, I never really left. People forget there was a Theta Electronics before Theta Digital, and I did a lot of work on tubes, and on phono preamps. Now, it makes sense to come back to it with a really affordable, flexible, and great-sounding product.”

Like all Schiit products, Mani is made in the USA, with the vast majority of its total production cost going to companies manufacturing in the USA, and local assembly, testing, and support through Schiit’s Valencia, CA offices.

Mani is Norse for the personification of the moon, and is available now on the schiit.com website for $129.