phono voorversterker (2024)

FAQs

How much difference does a phono preamp make? ›

The phono stage amplifies the bass and decreases the treble to correct this and create an ideal listening balance. The process of a phono preamplifier balancing the bass and treble is called RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) equalization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A common question we get at Fluance is whether an amplifier is needed if the turntable has a preamp. The answer is yes, but there are two different scenarios.

Depending on the source and the makeup of your preamp, running them hot can be the best way to use your preamps. By running hot, this applies to tubes and transformers. To achieve this, you increase the input of the signal into the preamp which in turn, increases the voltage into the component (tube or transformer).

A phono preamp applies the RIAA EQ curve to the phono signal, ensuring that your records sound balanced and accurate. In addition to applying the RIAA EQ curve, a phono preamp can also provide additional features such as gain control, cartridge loading options, and subsonic filtering.

Indeed, the phono preamplifier must be chosen according to the phono cartridge featuring on your vinyl turntable. For instance, if you have a moving magnet cartridge (MM), you must then choose an MM phono preamp compatible with this type of cartridge. Note that most preamplifiers are compatible by default.

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.

Is it better to have a separate phono preamp? ›

Some amplifiers are already able to support turntable connections but these in-built phono pre-amplifiers are massively out-performed by external phono stages. Vinyl lovers will instantly hear the difference that a dedicated phono stage makes to music quality.

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. Do You Need A Phono Preamp? If you want to play a turntable than yes!

In the context of analog preamps, the term “phono stage” is interchangeable with phono preamp. But in the larger context of music and sound, the term preamp can apply to microphone preamps, analog sensors, and other uses.

At a basic level, a phono pre-amplifier, also called a phono stage (just two titles for the same thing), is a small device to make sure that your record player can connect to a normal sound system. It has two major jobs: it amplifies the tiny signal generated by your stylus, and it re-equalises the signal.

So, how much gain do you need? The answer depends on the type of microphone you're using and what instrument is in front of it. Condenser microphones typically have hotter outputs and thus only require 10dB to 30dB of gain. Condenser mics have active electronics built right into them that increase their signal output.

If you can record your vinyl records at a reasonable level, then you don't need a preamp. However, if the recorded level is too low, then you'll need a preamp to boost the signal. Ultimately, the best way to decide if you need a preamp is to experiment.

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.

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.