kouka Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 so I just bought a simple CD/stereo thing that has an AUX input (no phono). I hooked up my record player to it, but I have to turn my stereo all the way up for it to be at a decent listenable level. Does this mean I need a pre-amp? I'm not really sure what I need to do, the sound is fine, it is just extremely low. Also, since my stereo has an AUX input instead of a phono, how should I ground the turntable? should I even worry about it? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benchwarmer Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 it does mean you need a pre-amp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmonaut Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Yes, a pre-amp is necessary. You can get those pretty cheap ($30 or so). Also: Yaphet Kotto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerdesk Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Not sure but you may be able to get a phono pre-amp with a ground on it. If not you may get a 'hum' when you plug your turntable in. Another thing to consider is that you could probably buy a decent vintage receiver for $50-$100 that would come with a phono pre amp. I was looking into buying a pre-amp until I realized I could get a great receiver for cheaper. Also: Yaphet Kotto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 thanks for all the help! i wanted to keep things on the cheap (got the stereo for $20 and the turntable for another $20). plus the stereo has a CD player, so that saved me having to buy that. i'll start browsing craigslist for a phono pre-amp, because on top of the low volume, there is also a very significant hum. and yes, YAPHET KOTTO!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iliketurtles Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 I used to have one of these until I got a different receiver. These are like 12 bucks on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Phono-Preamp-Turntable-Amplifier-Record-Peamplifier_W0QQitemZ270303705921QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item270303705921&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318 Also your ground wire should have a lug on the end of it that you can attach to just about any substantial hunk of metal, like to a screw on the back of your stereo or maybe something on your shelf there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcm1610 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 For the idiots here... mostly me... what's the benefit of a receiver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share Posted November 17, 2008 since craigslist was a bust, I opted for this one ($18.95ppd): http://cgi.ebay.com/PYLE-Pro-PP-999-Phono-Pre-Amp-PP999-PreAmp-NEW-FASTSHIP_W0QQitemZ350105209437QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item350105209437&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318 I assume the benefit of a receiver is that it has the pre-amp built in. I thought this new one i bought would be fine since it is a tuner/CD player with an AUX, but maybe if there's not a dedicated PHONO input, that may be the sign you need a pre-amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iliketurtles Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Some record players have pre-amps built in most nicer ones don't. Older stereo receivers have a phono input with built in pre-amp but since most "receivers" nowadays are just home theater systems or bookshelf systems they don't. For me it's just convenience, most audiophiles opt for the separate dedicated pre-amp and amplifier, all tube mind you, this would be my ideal setup just hasn't happened yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcm1610 Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 If the only benefit is that it has a preamp, why is there a preamp market? What else does a receiver offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iliketurtles Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 A tuner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 How is it that your table needs to be grounded? Table I have has a pre-amp built-in so I'm not familiar with the issue you're having. I understand the pre-amp part but not the ground part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerdesk Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 If the only benefit is that it has a preamp, why is there a preamp market? What else does a receiver offer? Receivers are used as the main driving component of a stereo system. Generally all your speakers get plugged into a receiver, all your components (Turntable, CD player, Ipod, TV, etc) get plugged into the receiver. Most will also include a AM/FM tuner, preamp, and amp. I guess the preamp market exists for people like the OP, that don't want a receiver, but still want to plug their turntable into a computer/CD player thing. Audiophile dudes will usually have a fancy schmancy preamp with tubes and what not. Needle doctor has preamps for over 10grand. These are essential if you want to hear the musicians thinking/breathing while playing on a record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpw Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Older receivers had phono(read: pre-amp) because a turn table was a common piece of the home stereo. Most modern ones don't anymore because a turn table isn't a common piece of home stereo equipment, that's most commonly why a pre-amp comes in to the picture for folks that aren't building a high end audiophile system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melikecheese Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Yeah my receiver allows me to plug all my stuff into one location and control the sound output from there. That way I can share the good system with the CD player, turntable, game systems, TV, DVD, etc etc etc. The tuner is a nice plus. The receiver also holds the ability to process sound so you can have DTS or Dolby Digital. You can also do all sorts of stuff to the sound. I have a receiver but I need a pre-amp as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iliketurtles Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 How is it that your table needs to be grounded? Table I have has a pre-amp built-in so I'm not familiar with the issue you're having. I understand the pre-amp part but not the ground part. I believe tables without a built in pre-amp have a ground wire to eliminate RF noise picked up from nearby devices. I've had 4 different tables and the ones with the preamps didn't have a ground so I'd imagine it's internally grounded through the pre-amp. My receiver has a little thumbscrew on the back for this purpose but it doesn't have to be real elaborate I've seen a table grounded by a thumb tack and it didn't sound noisy or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkykbs Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 so I just bought a simple CD/stereo thing that has an AUX input (no phono). I hooked up my record player to it, but I have to turn my stereo all the way up for it to be at a decent listenable level.Does this mean I need a pre-amp? I'm not really sure what I need to do, the sound is fine, it is just extremely low. Also, since my stereo has an AUX input instead of a phono, how should I ground the turntable? should I even worry about it? thanks! exact stereo I am using for playing vinyl, but i plan on getting it all replaced soon with some nicer shit. with all that vinyl i see you have isn't it worth spending some cash on something nicer? I believe my record player (AT PL50) has built in preamp and there fore i keep the stereo at about volume 50 for listening plenty loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 exact stereo I am using for playing vinyl, but i plan on getting it all replaced soon with some nicer shit. with all that vinyl i see you have isn't it worth spending some cash on something nicer? I believe my record player (AT PL50) has built in preamp and there fore i keep the stereo at about volume 50 for listening plenty loud I have something nicer (where the majority of my vinyl is), but this is upstairs in my bedroom.. so to keep things good with my wife, I wanted something simple i think this will do the trick once my pre-amp arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkykbs Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I have something nicer (where the majority of my vinyl is), but this is upstairs in my bedroom.. so to keep things good with my wife, I wanted something simple i think this will do the trick once my pre-amp arrives. thats fair then. btw you use the same type of guitar strings as i do. how do you like this sharper image thing? i feel like it has decent sound for what it is. i am really looking forward to upgrading, however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reachforthesky Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 what kind of shelf is that? is it an expedit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 i JUST got that stereo 3 days ago, and was waiting to try it out properly with some lps, so i guess i have to wait for my pre-amp to show up in the mail first :-/ and no, it's not an Expedit.. it is from Ikea and the same design, but instead of 5x5 boxes, it's 3x3 (which is perfect level for a stereo). I got it used off of craigslist a couple days ago for $40. i'm a walking/talking billboard for that site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkykbs Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 whats it called? i am looking for something similar to put my cds/vinyl on for a new room i just moved into Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 i have no idea, i had never seen one before (and I just looked in ikea.com to see if it's still available but don't see it). there's something similar with a desk for $50, and maybe you could just not attach the desk? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116071 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkykbs Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 half of that would be perfect for me but way bigger than i am looking for. thanks tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kouka Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 a lot of people use this, and some even turn it on it's side: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103085 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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