John Besse
Supporting Actor
I have a Denon 3801 receiver and just purchased a Goldring GR1.2 turntable to play Opeth, Porcupine Tree and Metallica records. The turntable, if you are not familiar with it, has a Goldring Electra moving magnet cartridge. I'm extremely happy with the sound so far of my new setup, except the volume level is a bit quite. I read somewhere that phono preamps are designed to increase line level. But, I also read that the typical record player on a standard receiver will not give proper bass and treble levels without using a phono preamp. Is this true? I'm happy with how my system sounds sonically, minus a few pops here and there from dust or whatever on a record. But, I have never noticed a huge difference in bass and treble levels as a result of playing a record.
Anyways, I have a few questions as to whether or not I need a phono preamp and why... First, what is the main purpose of using a phono preamp, as well as does it make that much of a difference? If I do decide I need to add a phono preamp to my setup, what is the price range I should be looking at? There is a model on eBay, the TCC TC-750, which sells on eBay or at PhonoPreAmps.com for $43.50. I was also looking at two more expensive models. One was from Audio Advisor, Parasound Zphono, which is $150. The Zphono sounds almost identical to the TC-750. The other preamp I was looking at was on the Needle Doctor web site, which was the Bellari VP129. The Bellari preamp is a tube phono preamp which runs $200.
Ultimately what I am looking for, is with a record player, what is the necessity of using a phono preamp...? Also, if it is really recommended that I use one... How much should I be looking to spend? I'd really like to go the most cost effective at the moment. I'm really liking the price on the TC-750 as it is going to be under $50 shipped. But, like most products, I'm sure buying cheap has its disadvantages. The only thing is I don't know what it is I'm getting into! So, any information would be greatly appreciated. ...And thanks for your help!
Anyways, I have a few questions as to whether or not I need a phono preamp and why... First, what is the main purpose of using a phono preamp, as well as does it make that much of a difference? If I do decide I need to add a phono preamp to my setup, what is the price range I should be looking at? There is a model on eBay, the TCC TC-750, which sells on eBay or at PhonoPreAmps.com for $43.50. I was also looking at two more expensive models. One was from Audio Advisor, Parasound Zphono, which is $150. The Zphono sounds almost identical to the TC-750. The other preamp I was looking at was on the Needle Doctor web site, which was the Bellari VP129. The Bellari preamp is a tube phono preamp which runs $200.
Ultimately what I am looking for, is with a record player, what is the necessity of using a phono preamp...? Also, if it is really recommended that I use one... How much should I be looking to spend? I'd really like to go the most cost effective at the moment. I'm really liking the price on the TC-750 as it is going to be under $50 shipped. But, like most products, I'm sure buying cheap has its disadvantages. The only thing is I don't know what it is I'm getting into! So, any information would be greatly appreciated. ...And thanks for your help!