Newbie preamp question

[Rob Jenkins]

Hello,

My current set up is a Marantz PM6005 amp and a Clearaudio Concept with the Performer cartridge. Will I get much benefit from adding a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II preamp?

The reason I ask is this line from the Phonomena manual; "DO NOT PLUG THE PHONOMENA II OUTPUT INTO A “PHONO” INPUT. Use the standard LINE IN jacks, as phono jacks often include special circuitry that is not needed when using a phonograph preamplifier."

But I can't see anywhere other than Phono input to put the interconnects? I guess my question is basically can you run a preamp though an integrated amp?

Cheers, Rob

 

[ifor]

is don't plug a phono preamp into the phono input of a built in phono preamp within the integrated amplifier. I think the Marantz has an option for built in phono stage. If yours has this fitted don't plug an external preamp into it. Use one of the other inputs.

 

[thescarletpronster]

But I can't see anywhere other than Phono input to put the interconnects?

As ifor says, you need to plug the pre-amp into a line-level input. The PM 6005 has four line-level inputs next to the phono-level input: 'Tuner', 'CD', 'Network', 'Recorder'. Just plug the pre-amp into one of these that you're not using for something else. It doesn't matter that it's not marked 'phono' - that just marks the input which has a built-in phono pre-amp. Obviously when you use your turntable, you'll have to select 'Tuner' (or whichever) instead of 'Phono'. Of course this means you lose one of the 5 available inputs, because you'll have nothing to plug into 'Phono', so if you're already using all 5, you'll have to ditch one of them. That's why I haven't upgraded to a phono pre-amp.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

 

[Rob Jenkins]

Great, thanks for the replies. It makes sense now - I wasn't sure what they meant by 'line level input' but your comments have cleared that up!

I'm going to go for this.

Thanks, Rob

 

[thescarletpronster]

Turntables put out a signal at a far lower level than things like CD players (which put out a signal as what's called 'line level'), which is why you need a phono pre-amp to boost the signal (there's also a thing called the RIAA curve, which the phono stage corrects). If you plug a turntable straight into a line-level input, you'll get a very faint and tinny sound. If you plug a turntable into a phono pre-amp and then into the phono input of your amp, you'll probably blow your speakers because the signal will have been boosted (and the bass boosted) twice!

 

[Rob Jenkins]

So my setup now is the Marantz PM6005 amp, the Musical Surroundings preamp, Clearaudio Concept and Tannoy XTF8 speakers.

Everything's been fine until now, but I've recently noticed a hum from my speakers when the amp is set to the turntable. Also powering the preamp on and off causes the speaker cones to jolt violently.

Should I be concerned? Is it a connection / earthing issue?

 

[MajorFubar]

So my setup now is the Marantz PM6005 amp, the Musical Surroundings preamp, Clearaudio Concept and Tannoy XTF8 speakers.

Everything's been fine until now, but I've recently noticed a hum from my speakers when the amp is set to the turntable. Also powering the preamp on and off causes the speaker cones to jolt violently.

Should I be concerned? Is it a connection / earthing issue?

If you mean by 'amp' you mean the Marantz, then it will hum a bit on phono, because there's nothing connected to that input is there? Turn the amp to another input if the thump from the pre-amp as you turn it off worries you.

 

[Rob Jenkins]

The amp is actually set to 'Recorder 1' when I want to listen to vinyl, as that is where the preamp is connected. That caused me some confusion initially, as explained above.

But yeah, I only get the jolt when the amp is set to that. I've never noticed it until now. Although I was just listening maybe a bit louder than usual... And you're right, when I turn to Aux or CD I don't get the speaker movement.