Upgraded, with power switch, indicator and gold plated connections.
Symptom: Are you getting extremely low sound from your turntable—around 10% of what you might expect? This happens when trying to hook a traditional turntable up to a newer amplifier, receiver, or computer that lacks a dedicated, internal "PHONO" input stage.
Solution: This is an ultra-compact external RIAA equalized pre-amp designed to sit "in series" directly between your record player and your sound system. It boosts the tiny, delicate millivolt signal coming out of your cartridge up to standard line-level volume, allowing you to safely connect to any standard AUX, LINE-IN, TAPE, or CD input.
Crucial Technical Benchmarks (From Manual)
- 35 dB Gain Structure: Boosts standard Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge output signals (typically 3–6 mV) up to a healthy, robust 281 mV line-level mix without oversaturating your amplifier's inputs.
- 66.83 mV Maximum Input Level (-23.5 dBV): Built with generous internal headroom to guarantee that even high-output or modern "hot" pressings will not clip, distort, or sound muddy.
- Matched Vinyl SNR (68 dB to 70 dB): Noise floor profile is engineered to align directly with the physical limits of high-quality vinyl pressings, ensuring the hardware won't inject artificial hiss or background hum into your listening environment.
- Dual-Format Stereo Outputs: Features standard Left/Right RCA jacks alongside a dedicated 1/4" TRS Stereo Socket. Ideal for direct headphones monitoring or sending a single-cable stereo line run directly into professional mixing boards or active studio monitors.
Troubleshooting & Warnings Before You Buy:
- Check Your Input First: Make absolutely sure you do NOT plug the output of this preamp into an existing "PHONO" input on a vintage receiver, or you will cause severe distortion and potential equipment damage.
- The 60Hz Hum: If you get a loud, buzz or 60Hz hum after connecting, it does not mean this unit is defective. Ensure your turntable's third ground wire is firmly clamped to the external metal chassis of your new preamplifier. If problem persist, you may wish to try adding our double fork lugged ground wire (below) from the preamp's thumbscrew to a rear chassis screw on your system receiver that screws into the metal frame/chassis. Make sure the receiver screw does not screw into plastic. The philips screws between the RCA inputs screw into plastic and will not work. Finally, verify your wall outlet is properly wired with a plug in wall polarity tester.