Are you interested in using a standalone phono preamp instead of the built in phono stage in your receiver? Are you using a receiver or preamplifier that does not have a phono input? Does your turntable have a built in phono preamp and you would like to use a standalone preamp that sounds better?
If the answer is yes to any of the questions above, you may find yourself purchasing a separate phono preamp for your sound system. I’ve had a few friends buy phono preamps but are unsure how to hook them up properly.
We’ve already covered how to hook up a turntable to the aux input, but in the event you would like a quick and easy guide on how to install a separate phono preamp in your system, please read more below:
How to Connect a Phono Preamp to a Turntable or Record Player:
Connect the RCA cables from your turntable to the RCA jacks labeled “In” or “Input” on the phono preamp. Then connect a separate pair of RCA cables from the RCA jacks labeled “Out” or “Output” on the phono preamp to the aux or CD input on your receiver. You will need to buy a pair of RCA cables to connect the preamp to your receiver. Please note: do not connect the phono preamp wires to the phono input on your receiver as it will cause the sound to be distorted.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Plug the RCA cables connected to your turntable to the “In” or “Input” RCA jacks on the rear of the phono preamp.
- Using a separate pair of RCA cables, plug one end into the “Out” or “Output” RCA jacks on the rear of the phono preamp.
- Plug the other end of the RCA cables into the Aux or CD input on the rear of your receiver.
- DO NOT plug the RCA cables into the phono input on your receiver.
- Set your preamp to the proper cartridge setting, either MM or MC. If you are new to vinyl, you are most likely using a MM (or moving magnet) cartridge and not an expensive MC (or Moving Coil) cartridge.
When do I need a preamp?
A standalone phono preamp is optional if your receiver or preamplifier has an input labeled “Phono” on the rear. However, if your receiver does not have a phono input and your turntable does not have a built in preamp, you will need a phono preamp to connect the two. You can read more about determining this here.
Do Standalone Phono Preamps Sound Better?
Usually, the answer is yes. Some vintage receivers and amplifiers have built in phono preamps that sound great, but those vintage units have aged considerably and often adding a standalone phono preamp will enhance the sound of your vinyl playback.
I noticed that standalone phono preamps provide a larger soundstage and will often be quieter than built in preamps. It makes sense that using a phono preamp outside of your receiver will be less noisy as it will be housed away from components inside the receiver that can bleed over and cause noise.
If you really want a better sound performance, I would avoid buying the cheap Pyle phono preamps found on Amazon and invest in one that’s a little more expensive such as the Pro-ject Audio Phono Box or the Schiit Audio Mani.
Of course, there are expensive phono preamps available that I hope to purchase one day and hear how they sound in my system, but if you are just beginning your vinyl journey, one of the preamps mentioned above will do great.
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