Do you know turntable was the earliest device which was able to repeat a recorded music? Developed in 1877 by Thomas Edison, the turntable (known as phonograph then) is still considered as one of the best mediums for playing music. None of the other music components can produce such original and smooth sound as like as a turntable do. So if you have bought a turntable, then you have done a great job to enhance your music experience.
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The primary thing you require to understand after buying a turntable is how to connect it with the receiver. The process of connecting is a little bit confusing but not that hard. We will discuss different methods of connecting a receiver and turntable in below.
What is a phono preamp?
Before you learn about connecting the receiver and turntable, you will need to know about phono preamp. This item is required for the process of connecting. A little amount of the voltage is generated when the needle of the cartridge touch the vinyl player. The voltage, also known as the signal, needed to be amplified so that the receiver can get it correctly. The role of the phono preamp is to boost the signal so that it can go to the receiver entirely.
The phono preamp is also known as turntable preamp, phono stage, RIAA preamp, or Phono EQ. Usually, the phono preamp is located in the turntable as built-in. Sometimes, the receiver also contains a phono preamp.
Connecting a receiver with phono preamp in the turntable
Most of the time, you will notice a built-in phono preamp in the turntable. In such situations, you will need to connect the audio signal cable into the receiver’s analog audio input. In the next paragraph, we will let you know how to connect a turntable with the receiver when the phono preamp is in the turntable.
At first, find the audio signal cable of the turntable and plug them into the analog audio input of the receiver. The inputs in the receiver are usually labeled as Aux, Analog In, Line In, etc. You can also use the CD or Tape input of the receiver as per your need.
Connecting a turntable with phono preamp in the receiver
If your turntable doesn’t come with a built-in phono preamp, then you should go for a receiver which comes with the built-in phono amplifier. It is much easier to connect the receiver and turntable when the phono is located in the receiver. For this, you will need to connect the audio signal cable of the turntable in the phono preamp port of your receiver.
In the next step, you will need to find the GND input in the receiver. GND means ground, and it’s a feature which resists the extra unwanted produced from the turntable while playing music. Plug the ground wire of your turntable in the GND input of the receiver. If the receiver doesn’t have a GND input, then skip this part.
Connecting a receiver and turntable without a built-in phono preamp
Sometimes, you will not find the phono preamp in the turntable or the receiver. In such situations, you will require an external outbound phono preamp to connect the receiver and the turntable. You can find these accessories in the shops which sale audio components. The hassle-free way is getting them from online stores just by searching with phono preamp for turntable query.
To connect using external phono preamp, start by plugging the audio cable of your turntable in the input point of the phono preamp. Also, connect the GND cable of your turntable (if it has) in the phono preamp’s grounding post. Now plug the audio output cable of the phono preamp at one of the receiver’s analog audio input post. After that, connect the phono preamps to the power supply. You are done!
What to do if both the receiver and turntable has phono preamp?
If both the receiver and turntable has a built-in phono preamp, then connect the turntable’s phono with the receiver’s analog (AUX) input, not in its phono input. Two phono preamps couldn’t work together.
Now you have learned how to connect the receiver and the turntable. So you can now enjoy the taste of soothing original music without any issues.
