[Everyneurotic]

...i have a problem.

i got a brand new stereo for my birthday; it's 100w, 3 cd changer, dual tape deck, radio and aux in.

now, i have an audiologic turntable that i got used for the equivalent of $20 usd, i had to replace the line out cables and the needle and worked fine when plugged into my guitar amp.

the thing is, i plugged the turntable to the aux in of the stereo, and i hardly get any sound, i can't listen to records. i reckon you need an amp when you have a stand alone turntable but, in theory, the stereo is an amp for it, isn't it? besides, i noticed (you have to turn it to max to get a whisper of sound) that there's some shorting-like noises in between the music.

what do you think? do i need an amp for the turntable to then plug to the stereo? or do i need a new turntable? i certainly hope it's not the stereo (cd and tape playback are great). please help!

[!@#$%!]

you need a preamp, as phono signal is -20db lower than the regular line level (0db).

OLD stereos hence had a "phono" input that provided the necessary amplification to the signal-- these days, it's more often that the turntable itself has a preamp (switch on/off in some hidden place) OR you just get a preamp, if the turntable is worth it.

am i making sense? so if your turntable kicks ass just fork out $$ for the preamp. if your turntable is a cheapo thing, buy another (more modern) that has a preamp incorporated.

note that most premium modern turntables still require a preamp.

[terminal pharmacy]

here are some cheap pres -- http://www.phonopreamps.com/

[Everyneurotic]

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

you need a preamp, as phono signal is -20db lower than the regular line level (0db).

OLD stereos hence had a "phono" input that provided the necessary amplification to the signal-- these days, it's more often that the turntable itself has a preamp (switch on/off in some hidden place) OR you just get a preamp, if the turntable is worth it.

am i making sense? so if your turntable kicks ass just fork out $$ for the preamp. if your turntable is a cheapo thing, buy another (more modern) that has a preamp incorporated.

note that most premium modern turntables still require a preamp.

dude, i bought my turntable in the street (literally the sidewalk) for 200 pesos, that's roughly twenty dollars!

just because i'm in storytelling mood, the thing has a switch between 33 1/3 and 45 and i was seriously blown away when i discovered you could raise a little block in the center to fit 7"s. i had to give it a serious wash because it was muddy; took it three times to the shop to get it fixed (once, line out cables were faulty; second time, i thought the tone arm had a short too, turns out it just needed a new needle; third time, for some reason stopped working randomly, took it to check and magically started to work again). there's no on switch, if it's plugged in, it's on; the line out cables are built in. it's a piece alright.

still, even though i could only listen to it with my guitar amp, it sounded fantastic, considering it didn't need any big reconstruction.

---

BOTTOMLINE is thanks for answering, today when i went to pick the stereo, i saw some awesome turntables for as little as the equiv of $150 usd (i also saw a badass pro tape deck for like the equiv of $200 usd), maybe in the future when i have a job; for now, i'll pick up a phono preamp (thanks for the site, terminal!).

[Norma J]

Ok, already been answered. But I have my turntable connected to my stereo and the output is not as loud as the stereo itself, or my DVD player that is connected to it also. But it's not too bad, or even bad at all, like what you're describing. It still goes very loud.

So you're looking at getting a new turntable?
My new turntable was around $100 something and it sounds great.

Stereos, like you said have built in amps, so I'm guessing you're right when you say it might be your stereo.

[Cantankerous]

speaking of crazy stereo things, if you have a mac and a new reciever, do this because it's awesome:
get an airport express that you can plug into the back of your reciever (i don't know where it goes because i'm not the one who hooked it up but i'm sure you can figure it out easily enough) and you can play itunes through your stereo instead of shitty little computer speakers.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by Cantankerous

speaking of crazy stereo things, if you have a mac and a new reciever, do this because it's awesome:
get an airport express that you can plug into the back of your reciever (i don't know where it goes because i'm not the one who hooked it up but i'm sure you can figure it out easily enough) and you can play itunes through your stereo instead of shitty little computer speakers.

cant you just jack a miniplug to rca adapter?

but anyway-- TURNTABLES

for Everyneurotic:

sometimes new TTs are cheaper than preamps-- low quality ofc

what's the make & model of your tocadiscos?

[Cantankerous]

i don't know what any of that means, i don't do that stuff.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by Cantankerous

i don't know what any of that means, i don't do that stuff.

 

$2

[Everyneurotic]

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

cant you just jack a miniplug to rca adapter?

but anyway-- TURNTABLES

for Everyneurotic:

sometimes new TTs are cheaper than preamps-- low quality ofc

what's the make & model of your tocadiscos?

audiologik tsa-65

that link terminal posted listed small preamps at like $20-something, i'll probably can get one locally for that or less even.

and speaking of rca cables and plugging the 'putah to the stereo, i need to get me an extension to plug my pc, i'm sick of listening to music in mono...well, not really, it's not so bad.

[Cantankerous]

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

 

$2

the whole idea was to have a wireless setup, hence the airport express. my mouse and keyboard are wireless as well. i can type from across the room. the only cord is the plug to the computer.

[!@#$%!]

Originally Posted by Everyneurotic

audiologik tsa-65

damn, i couldn't find a thinkg about this one on google

 

anyway, if it's an OLD turntable it prolly won't have a built-in preamp, since back in the day they built phono jacks on amps, etc.

[Everyneurotic]

yes, complete mistery.

it definitely doesn't have a preamp, although it's not that old. it's well travelled, though.

[█████████]

you need to buy an audio receiver and an equalizer if you like.

[Tokolosh]

Originally Posted by Cantankerous

speaking of crazy stereo things, if you have a mac and a new reciever, do this because it's awesome:
get an airport express that you can plug into the back of your reciever (i don't know where it goes because i'm not the one who hooked it up but i'm sure you can figure it out easily enough) and you can play itunes through your stereo instead of shitty little computer speakers.

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

cant you just jack a miniplug to rca adapter?

but anyway-- TURNTABLES

for Everyneurotic:

sometimes new TTs are cheaper than preamps-- low quality ofc

what's the make & model of your tocadiscos?

Even easier. Plug the minijack into your headphones output on your mac, and the other end of the cable into your amp.

Everyneurotic: Make sure your amp is turned off before you connect your turntable to it. It could damage your amp if you don't.

[gmku]

I'm hoping my Yamaha 1020 amp from 1987 never kicks the bucket. I'd be lost about what to buy as a replacement. This amp is a workhorse and still sounds so good. It has inputs for TWO turntables, and the phono switch includes adjustments for the type of phono cartridge you're using (MM or MC) and even minor adjustments within those. It has a powerful phono preamp.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this feature (the preamp) start to come back, what with the rising interest in turntables and LPs.

Originally Posted by Tokolosh

Even easier. Plug the minijack into your headphones output on your mac, and the other end of the cable into your amp.

Everyneurotic: Make sure your amp is turned off before you connect your turntable to it. It could damage your amp if you don't.

Even easier: Plug the cable that has been posted above into the aux of your hi-fi and into the mic jack of your pc. Ouila', le jeux sont fait!

[Tokolosh]

Originally Posted by gmku

I'm hoping my Yamaha 1020 amp from 1987 never kicks the bucket. I'd be lost about what to buy as a replacement. This amp is a workhorse and still sounds so good. It has inputs for TWO turntables, and the phono switch includes adjustments for the type of phono cartridge you're using (MM or MC) and even minor adjustments within those. It has a powerful phono preamp.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this feature (the preamp) start to come back, what with the rising interest in turntables and LPs.

Yamaha produces good quality stuff for almost anything. An all-rounder.


^Same difference Sarra.
Edit: Wait... Mic jack is for input.

[nicfit]

Catanky likes to go wireless.

[█████████]

Originally Posted by █████████

you need to buy an audio receiver and an equalizer if you like.

and make sure it has ground connection or you will get a lot hum.