djuk

I've just been given a turntable so popped into HMV at lunch and grabbed a couple of vinyl tracks and I have to admit the sound is lovely, its got something CD hasn't.

I have it hooked up through my 400w home cinema amp and speakers and the sound is pretty good but the amp needs to be turned up full whack to get a decent volume. Its not quiet by any means but to get it to the normal wall shaking stage which it's at when I play a DVD or MP3s through my PC it needs to be up full.

Is this just a characteristic of the turntable's output power or would a pre-amp or something in between make any improvement?

Thanks

David

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Yep, you need a phono preamp stage, not dear, QED make 'em among others.

Typically, the output from a magnetic cartridge is about 1/10th that of a CD player. Of course, if it's got a moving coil cartridge, you could be into 1/100th

Alcazar

Freak

put it through phono preamp or a dj mixer.

Can pick up a preamp on ebay for peanuts- one of mine cost me $7

djuk

Thanks, you're right theres loads on ebay. Is there a particular spec or power I need to look for to make it effective?

Freak

no
they should all conform to the RIAA preamp standard. It is a set standard for playback of records that was devised many many moons ago.

Unless you fancy getting into **** audiophile territory, then they all do pretty much exactly the same job

hades

in "**** audiophile territory" or otherwise they still all do the same job - it's just some do it better than others.

If all you're after is pumping bass and volume, and if you're satisfied with the sound quality you get at the moment but just want more volume, then pretty much any of them will do. If you're after top quality reproduction with good supporting kit, pick your phono pre-amp with a bit more care.

yhe chod

"qed" or "nad pp2" phono pre amps are good
around £20 to £50
you will notice the difference