ScooByer Trade

Hello, i've got an Arcam Alpha 9 normal integrated amp and plugged the player in but get a faint sound from the speakers. The amp has a switch for phono etc and don't know if it had the phonoboard fitted ( 2nd hand ). How do i know if it has got the board in ?. I suppose extra sockets at the back would be in place i guess.

Nathan.

Mark'sWRX

If you open it up, the phonoboard should be obvious if you follow the wires from the RCA inputs on the back. Is your cartridge a MM or MC, as MC usually requires a higher gain phono stage. I would be surpised if an amp had a phono switch but no phono amp, but I'm not that familiar with the Arcam amps (except knowing that they're very good).

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

It sounds as if either it has no phono stage, or, more likely, your cartridge output is too low for the stage fitted.

Out of interest, what type and make of cartridge are you running?

Alcazar

ScooByer Trade

Hi, the record player i was using is an old Onkyo record player and has not been modified in any way.The model number of the record player is CP-1116A if that helps.The cartridge hasn't been changed since new.Just to clarify you have to twist a dial to change between radio and auxiliary etc.

Nathan.

ScooByer Trade

Also the turntable works perfectly with an Onkyo amp. So more than likely it hasn't got a phonoboard fitted, if that is the reason it's not working how much would it cost. Or if the output is too low, i would need a new stylus and cartridge at the end of the arm yes.

Mark'sWRX

It's highly unlikely that you have a low output moving coil cartridge on an Onkyo turntable, so if it works on another amp, the chances are there is no phonoboard. Your best bet is to buy a separate phono preamp like a NAD PP2 (about £50) or better still a Pro-ject phonobox (about £150). Both can be found on Welcome to HiFiBitZ - HiFi and Home Cinema Specialists... under accessories.

Alternatively, you could contact Arcam or a dealer to see if you can get a phonoboard retrofitted.

ScooByer Trade

Thanks for the advice Mark, i will get it to work eventually mate.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I'd agree about the Onkyo turntable, and something you said earlier rang a warning bell.

Is the turntable connected to "aux" or "phono" on the rear of the amp?

It HAS to be "phono" which will have a sensitivity of around 100mV, whereas "aux" will have a sensitivity of 1000mV, (1V).

The sensitivity is the voltage input needed to drive the amp at normal output. Your turntable therefore produces something less than 1/10th the voltage needed to drive the amp.

I'd go the offboard phono preamp route if you really WANT to listen to vinyl.

Alcazar

ScooByer Trade

I just looked at the Arcam and there is a blanking plate where the phono sockets would be. The auxiliary sockets are there though.

ScooByer Trade

Anyone know if this would work with my amp and turntable ?.

EAR 834P Deluxe Chrome Phono Stage on eBay, also Turntable Parts Accessories, Turntables, Home Audio Hi Fi, Consumer Electronics (end time 16-Feb-08 13:47:41 GMT)

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Yes, but so will this: http://www.needles-and-spins.co.uk/p...honobox_se.cfm, for a LOT less money, and tbh, your Onkyo turntable doesn't merit the sort of cash for the one on e-bay

Alcazar

Daryl

I've got a phono board that came out of an Arcam Alpha 9. It's a plug-in board that is easy to fit yourself. Only problem is that there are two different types of connections (Arcam changed the connectors at some point in the model's life), so it might not fit.

The good news is that Arcam will change them for nothing if it doesn't fit, but you would have to send it to the factory. PM me if you are interested.