Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head

Schiit Mani 2 vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Schiit Mani 2 is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.

Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Schiit Mani 2 Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
US price $149
BrandSchiit AudioPro-Ject Audio Systems
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 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs
Snr (dB) 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 dB(A)
Riaa accuracy ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) <0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Input capacitance pf 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options 50/150/300/400 pF selectable
Subsonic filter Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff
Thd percent 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz
Output level 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs

Sources — Schiit Mani 2: schiit.com (verified 2026-08-12). Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B: project-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12).

What's the difference between the Schiit Mani 2 and Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B?

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 Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs
  • Snr (dB): Schiit Mani 2 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 dB(A)
  • Riaa accuracy: Schiit Mani 2 ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B <0.3 dB (20 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 Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 50/150/300/400 pF selectable
  • Subsonic filter: Schiit Mani 2 Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff
  • Thd percent: Schiit Mani 2 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz
  • Output level: Schiit Mani 2 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting vs Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs

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