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[zman <zman AT shell.neverwhere.org>]

On Mon, 24 Jul 2006, Michael Czeiszperger wrote:
> If the turntable doesn't have a built-in preamp, its just putting out
> a very low signal in the 5mV range, while a consumer-level input is
> expecting -10dB.  On top of that there's an impedance mismatch which
> induces a nasty filtering effect that would be difficult to get rid
> of by post-processing.

Ok first off, maybe you should compare apples to apples. can we get the 
levels measured in the same scale?

> Yes, you can just turn up the gain, and I'm no audiophile by any
> stretch of the imagination, but most people would agree that it
> sounds terrible.

Depends on a lot of variables. But it can be worth a try before you spend 
a bunch of money. The DJ mixer I'm using at Kulture the phono inputs are 
merely eq'd differently and the gain is adjusted via a pot. Plus it has 
USB inputs and outputs so I could just pull from it. But then again you're 
not an audiophile.

> That's why they sell turntable pre-amps, which match the signal
> levels and fixes the frequency response:

Yes, they do, but if you look at most quality phono pre-amps they are 
nothing more than fixed eq's and an inline amp (with adjustable gain).

> BSEE '87.

yay for you...

Audio engineer '86-'91

yay for me....


Scott H. Zekanis
zman AT kungfumonkey.com
http://www.rod-o-rama.com
http://www.thehellbenders.com
1957 Buick Riviera Hardtop (2 dr., 425" Nailhead)
1960 International B100
1923 Buick Roadster (Dual Quad 425" Nailhead) 
1990 Ducati 750 Sport