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Schiit Audio
Schiit Mani 2
$149Cheaper
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Schiit Mani 2 vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Schiit Mani 2 is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.
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Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
$399
Which is better: the Schiit Mani 2 or Cambridge Audio Alva Duo?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Schiit Mani 2 is the cheaper at $149.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Schiit Mani 2 | Cambridge Audio Alva Duo |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149 | $399 Cambridge Audio USA direct price |
| Brand | Schiit Audio | Cambridge Audio |
| Released | — | — |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC | MM and MC |
| Gain (dB) | 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting | MM: 39 dB; MC: 60 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Snr (dB) | 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting | MM: >90 dB; MC: >70 dB (grounded inputs, 20Hz-20kHz, ref 1V output) |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.3 dB (30 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options | 100 |
| Subsonic filter | Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz | Yes |
| Thd percent | 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting | MM: <0.0025%; MC: <0.20% (1kHz, 20Hz-20kHz bandwidth, THD+N) |
| Output level | 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting | 300 mV nominal |
Sources — Schiit Mani 2: schiit.com (verified 2026-08-12). Cambridge Audio Alva Duo: cambridgeaudio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Schiit Mani 2 and Cambridge Audio Alva Duo?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Gain (dB): Schiit Mani 2 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: 39 dB; MC: 60 dB @ 1 kHz
- Snr (dB): Schiit Mani 2 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: >90 dB; MC: >70 dB (grounded inputs, 20Hz-20kHz, ref 1V output)
- Riaa accuracy: Schiit Mani 2 ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo ±0.3 dB (30 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Schiit Mani 2 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo 100
- Subsonic filter: Schiit Mani 2 Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo true
- Thd percent: Schiit Mani 2 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: <0.0025%; MC: <0.20% (1kHz, 20Hz-20kHz bandwidth, THD+N)
- Output level: Schiit Mani 2 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting vs Cambridge Audio Alva Duo 300 mV nominal