Noob Preamp/Turntable question

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huxtable

114 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#71868 18-Nov-2010 21:05

Heyas,

So, I have a cheap but recent Pioneer amp (VSX 519V), currently using my old Pioneer HTIB 5.1 speakers. When I can afford it, going to get some half-decent speakers hooked up (although to be honest, as far as HTIB speakers go, they aren't too bad).

I also have a cheap (Dick Smith) turntable ( again, will get upgraded when I find the funds!). Although the turntable has a preamp built in, the volume output on the amp when listening to records is very quiet - if I have the Amp turned to MAX volume, it's more than audible, but still a LOT quieter than I want it to be, listening to the large collection of great vinyl I have.

Is it as simple as buying the following:
http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=AC1662&keywords=preamp&form=KEYWORD
And connecting it between my Amp and turntable, to get louder audio output?

Thanks for any help!

richms

29097 posts

Uber Geek
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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#406449 18-Nov-2010 21:37

Do you have a non amplified output on the turntable to use a preamp with? If you try to feed the quiet line level signal into another preamp you will overload its input, and have it applying the RIAA curve again so there will be too much bass.

If it does have an unamplified output then you should be ok.

Also I tried one of the other jaycar switch boxes in the past, and it

IME you can never get the analog inputs up to the same level as the digital inputs without something on the input starting to distort just by pushing more signal into it. I cant have my DJ mixer getting anywhere near +3dB on its blinking lights no matter what I do on the reciever, and at that point it is still quieter than the same stuff on the PC played over spdif to the reciver directly.

Does the amp have individual gain controls you can turn up on a per input basis?

Richard rich.ms

scottr

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#412629 3-Dec-2010 20:36

Potentially yes,. my old man also has a pioneer amp (no phono in!) and a reasonably run-of-the-mill turntable and uses a cambridge audio preamp inbetween and it sounds absolutely fantastic, and with a volume level much closer to a digital source.

Your results might vary though due to turntable, preamp you get, amp etc. He had a cheaper preamp first and it didn't do a very good job,. he got annoyed and bought an expensive one instead.

If you do get one remember to switch the pre-amp off in the turntable.