phono voorversterker (2024)

FAQs

Does phono preamp make a big difference? ›

The shortest answer is yes. In general, because the process of RIAA equalization works to balance the bass and treble for a more balanced listening experience, a phono stage improves the sound quality.

Gain: The gain for most high output moving coils is between 1.5mV and 3mV. Most high output moving coils should be set at the 50dB gain level. Although, if this does not produce enough volume in your system, you can bump it up to 55dB.

If you're serious about getting the best possible sound out of your vinyl records, then a preamp is a worthwhile investment. Even if you have a budget turntable, a good preamp can make a significant difference in the sound quality.

This is where the phono stage (or phono preamp) comes in. It has two jobs. Firstly, it has the reverse response built into it – one that boosts bass and flattens treble to exactly the right degree, which should result in a tonally even presentation for the audio signal. Secondly, it acts as an amplifier.

Bottom line: An external preamp is a great second step to improve your sound quality or to obtain more sound variety, but don't make the second step before you've made the first. You can make great recordings with just your audio interface's internal preamps and one or two high quality condenser mics.

As a general rule, Randall recommends investing about 20 percent of your budget on the phono preamp, splurging for flexibility in terms of adjustments like gain, loading and compatibility with Moving Coil cartridges if you're looking to mess around.

It may not be obvious, but not all phono preamps are created equal. If your turntable has a switchable preamp input it's worth experimenting with a better one. We had good results with the $300 Cambridge Audio Alva Duo -- better dynamics and extended resolution over the phono input on our amplifier.

This is what the volume knob is for. Set the gain high to distort the signal the perfect amount, and then reduce the volume. Or, if the opposite is what you want – a loud, clean signal – set the gain more reasonably and increase volume.

1kHz is an industry standard accepted frequency at which the gain of phono preamps is given. You're about 20dB above that at 20Hz, and about 20dB below that at 20kHz in a phono preamp.

A good quality turntable and powered speakers can benefit from a preamp upgrade. However for most casual listening the built in preamps are more than adequate and will provide exceptional sound quality as standard.

Are all phono preamps the same? ›

Not all preamps accept MC. MC carts are typically lower output signal and the need a higher gain stage in the phono preamp. There are “high output MC” which would work on a phono preamp with just MM input.

One ground wire would connect from the turntable to the preamp, the other from the preamp to the speakers or amplifier. This is only necessary if you experience what's referred to as "ground hum" which is described as a buzz or hum coming from the speakers while using the turntable.

Check your phono input

A simple mismatch between your cable outputs and inputs can result in a bad sound record. You'll either hear quiet tinny playback, or a major boost. If you have a built-in preamp, it should be set to “phono” with the RCA cables plugged into the “phono” input on your receiver.

So if you connect a turntable to your powered speakers without a preamp your music will play very quietly. That's where the preamp comes in. Music from a turntable is effectively amplified twice. First the preamp boosts the signal from the cartridge to a level suitable for your amplifier.

CONCLUSION. The sound contribution of preamps is not so much in its frequency response but in the texture it imparts on the sound. However, a preamp shapes the sound to a much lesser degree than one would think. Usually, its sound character only becomes obvious at high gain settings or when you drive it into distortion ...

A high quality microphone preamp, however, will do much more than just make your mic level louder. It will deliver a cleaner, more accurate signal, with higher gain, lower noise, less distortion, and more headroom.

A preamp serves the primary function of amplifying the signal from your turntable to a level that can be played properly through your sound system. A preamp is required somewhere in your audio system in order for you to have proper record playback.