Phono Out vs. Line Out on turntable

[cossix]

Is there a difference in sound quality between these two? A family friend donated me a turntable and I'm planning on hooking it up to my Jotunheim to test it out when I get home in a day. Since I didn't buy the phono input module, I'd have to use the line outputs on the player but I'm curious to know if it matters which is used.

 

[ostewart]

Is there a difference in sound quality between these two? A family friend donated me a turntable and I'm planning on hooking it up to my Jotunheim to test it out when I get home in a day. Since I didn't buy the phono input module, I'd have to use the line outputs on the player but I'm curious to know if it matters which is used.

The phono out needs to be connected to a phono pre-amp and cannot be connected straight to your Jot, if the turntable has a line out it means it has an internal phono pre-amp but the internal ones are not usually that good. You can hook it straight up to your Jot if it has an internal phono pre-amp.

It would help if you put which model turntable it is.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Is there a difference in sound quality between these two? A family friend donated me a turntable and I'm planning on hooking it up to my Jotunheim to test it out when I get home in a day. Since I didn't buy the phono input module, I'd have to use the line outputs on the player but I'm curious to know if it matters which is used.

Consult the manual. One of them goes to an external phono preamp, likely the phono output, which all TTs have; the other sends the signal from its cartridge direct into the built-in phono preamp and you can connect it to your Jotunheim. Consult the manual to be sure which is which.

 

[cossix]

I'm looking at the AT LP120 as a starter unit. From what I've read during a few days of research, I understand how each works and how I need a phono preamp if I use that output instead of the line out. The table I'm looking at has both phono and line out, the latter one is what I would have to use because my Jot has no phono input and I don't particularly want to get a preamp unless it makes a good difference. Thanks for the input so far!

 

[buke9]

I have a AT LP120 and although a very nice and solid unit the internal pre amp just doesn't cut it and from what others have said even turning the pre off and using a external pre amp it doesn't sound much better. I'm guessing that it is not doing a true bypass or something of that nature. What most suggest is cutting the pre amp out physically and just use a external pre amp and it sounds much better. Since I've had mine for a while and can't return it is what I plan on doing pretty soon just have to find me a phono pre amp still haven't decided on which one yet.

 

[cossix]

I have a AT LP120 and although a very nice and solid unit the internal pre amp just doesn't cut it and from what others have said even turning the pre off and using a external pre amp it doesn't sound much better. I'm guessing that it is not doing a true bypass or something of that nature. What most suggest is cutting the pre amp out physically and just use a external pre amp and it sounds much better. Since I've had mine for a while and can't return it is what I plan on doing pretty soon just have to find me a phono pre amp still haven't decided on which one yet.

What do you think about the Schiit Mani? It seems to be right up my alley. Since I don't have the phono module for my Jotunheim, I could easily go phono out from the table, into the Mani, and into the RCA input of the Jot, or into my spare Magni for a more mobile setup. I don't really want to pay over $150 for the preamp

 

[buke9]

Mani is one I was looking at for it's gain. That is the problem with the AT LP120 as it has such low gain when plugging into my AVR a loud volume from a cd is -19 db and can't get anywhere close to good listening volume even at +5 db same from with pre amp off from the phono input of my Denon as well as my 30+ year old Akai turntable from the same input pre amp on from any other input yields the same. I guess the Denon needs some high output cartridge don't know. Pre amp on into the phono input is just mass distortion. If I knew then what I know now I would probably go for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or a Rega Planar 1. Just my opinion.

 

[cossix]

Mani is one I was looking at for it's gain. That is the problem with the AT LP120 as it has such low gain when plugging into my AVR a loud volume from a cd is -19 db and can't get anywhere close to good listening volume even at +5 db same from with pre amp off from the phono input of my Denon as well as my 30+ year old Akai turntable from the same input pre amp on from any other input yields the same. I guess the Denon needs some high output cartridge don't know. Pre amp on into the phono input is just mass distortion. If I knew then what I know now I would probably go for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or a Rega Planar 1. Just my opinion.

I certainly like those designs more, it's just so difficult passing on the LP120 when it has so many good reviews. Back to research mode then! In all honesty I haven't looked at those other two as much as I could have.