Phono preamp output level into integrated amplifer.

captnlino -- Wed, 06/28/2006 - 07:10

Quick question, I have a tube moving magnet preamp feeding a integrated amp. It sounds pretty good but the volume level [ volume knob on amp ] to drive the speakers has to be increased quite alot compared to a Ipod . For example, 0900 for ipod, 1200 for phono playback. The preamp offers 54 db of amplification. Is this normal with phono preamp stages. I tried other inputs on the amp with the same results. Thanks in advance.

wgarcia -- Mon, 07/10/2006 - 12:24

Yes, it is normal for phono preamps to have lower gain than, say, a CD player or another line-level device such as your iPod. As long as noise isn't an issue--and it may be with a tube unit--you should be okay just turning the volume knob up a bit more, as you have been. BTW, it's also the case that most volume pots sound best when set between 11 and 1 o'clock.

captnlino -- Wed, 07/12/2006 - 14:07

Thanks for the information but in my case the tube[s] were going bad. The person in the Audio store in Basel Switzerland changed the tubes and adjusted two trim pots. I asked him if this was tube bias but his English and my German are both at infantile levels. As he adjusted the trimpots by ear, not with a DVM I'm a little worried about what transpired but it sounds the same as before but the amp volume pot is about the same as the IPOD. Maybe I shoudn't worry and just enjoy the vinyl experience but I will get a test record and break out the RadioShack Sound Level meter to see what I have here. I tried e-mailling the phono preamp manufacturer but English is probably not there strong suit in the Czech Republic. Sometimes I feel lost in Europe trying to put toegether a decent audio system. Thanks again, and if you have any thoughts about these trim pots on the tube phono preamp please let me know.

wgarcia -- Fri, 07/21/2006 - 09:39

Any news since you last made this post? Did you hear back from the manufacturer? I think they're the ones most quailified to help sort this out.

captnlino -- Tue, 08/01/2006 - 01:59

I've been on "Holiday" but I'll try the goggle translation in a e-mail to see if they will help.. Switzerland is having their National Holiday [quite fun, really] so it will be tomorrow before I can look for a test record [hopefully with instructions in English].