A phono preamp is an electronic device that amplifies the weak electrical signal produced by a turntable when playing vinyl records. This signal is too low to be processed by standard audio equipment, so the phono preamp boosts it to a level suitable for a receiver or amplifier. In addition to amplification, phono preamps also apply equalization to the signal. This equalization corrects the frequency response of the record, ensuring that the sound is balanced and true to the original recording. Many modern audio systems include built-in phono preamps, but standalone units can offer improved sound quality.