how to connect pre-amp

[coonsanders]

hi gang

this might be a very academic question but how do u install a phono preamp between the computer and amp or between the amp and the turntable?thanks.

lenny

[waxcylinder]

Normally a phono preamp will have two pair of RCA sockets - one for input and t'other for output. Both are colour coded red and white to identify the stereo, normally white for left and red for right.

To connect the TT - you should have a lead coming out with three wires - two thicker ones with RCA plugs on the end colour coded red and white - plug these into the input side of the phono pre-amp. The third wire is much thinner and is provided to earth your TT - the preamp should have an earthing post to connect this to - without this you are likely to get mains hum on your recording.

To Connect to the computer you will need a Y cable which has two RCA plugs on one end and a stereo 3.5mm TRS mini-jack on t'other end. Plug the RCA leads inthe output side of the pre-amp and plug the minijack into the Line in (NOT the Mic input). If you are on a laptop you may not have a line-in in which case you will need to cosider an external USB/firewire soundcard which would be plugged between the pre-amp and the computer (this is how my setup works).

WC

[coonsanders]

hi
where do u connect the earthing port to and from?

lenny

[waxcylinder]

The earthin wire is normally a thin black wire - if supplied it should be permanently connected inside your TT - the free end normally hsa a flat spade connector (U-shaped). There should be a metal screw-threaded post on your pre-amp with normally a knurled nut on top. Attach the spade connector to this post with the knurled nut.

WC

[coonsanders]

ok

so just to make sure everythings ok...the regular amp isn't involved anymore. You plug the turntable out wires into the input of the preamp and forget about using the regular amp all together right?

lenny

[waxcylinder]

absolutely - should work fine like that.

WC

[coonsanders]

cool
thanks

lenny

[coonsanders]

hi
its working so far very well....do u use the same preamp for boosting the power from a cassette deck into the computer?i never did before just connected it to mt computer
right from the deck but will the preamp help the volume with tape decks?

lenny

[kozikowski]

No. A Phono Preamplifier corrects for vinyl distortion. If you connect anything else, the show will sound seriously weird.

Koz

[coonsanders]

hay koz

o ok thanks...

lenny