Do turntables require preamps?

No, you will need a phono pre-amp between. www.phonopreamps.com has some reasonably priced ones.

You need a phonostage to implement the RIAA equalization - the Wikipedia article is good if you want a technical explanation.

However, you also need a preamp that will raise the equalized sound to line level.

The vast majority of phono preamps have both the equalization and another circuit that raises the output to line level.

I just learned this a couple of days ago when I connected my turntable to my Lyr amp. There was almost no sound at all coming through the phones...

 

I'm gonna get a DAC with build in preamp, I hope that will work.

The preamp will only work if it has a phono-specific input.

I see thanks.

An inexpensive way to get a turntable RIAA pre is to find an old tuner from the 70s. There all over and can be had for $10.00 usd to $35.00. Even though capacitors may have a lifespan of 20 years, it's best just to give an old amp a try before going all out. Many supertuners from the 70s are romantic pieces of audio art that are always great sounding. Most really old ones do not have ICs and can be overhauled by an electric repair service if you fall in love. Not advisable to try and work on them yourself without training as some capacitors can hold a fatal charge in reserve.

Just buy a phono preamp and be done with it, less space being taken up. 

 

 

 

PS•1 Phono Preamplifier and HC•1b Dual Mono Power Supply by Monolithic

 

 

After an inquiry here a year and a half ago this is what a member of Head-Fi suggested. I will look for the tread. I found this used on Audiogon for about $340.00 as I remember.

 

 

 

Edited by Redcarmoose - 5/12/11 at 7:53am

Get a GCPH, you'll never need to upgrade.

Never?

 

My TT and preamp are at your 1/4 to 3/4 ratio. The most amazing thing I found out was how much record surface noise was reduced by getting a moderately good TT. Many who claim vinyl is a noisy source maybe have not heard a medium level TT. In the 70s there was many super expensive cartridges placed on cheap TTs as the belief was it's all in the cartridge. I feel about 1/4 of the TT price should be put into the cartridge too, but I'm no expert. I have met folks with mega expensive cartridges, they are into it!