Probably a very stupid question..

[mushroomgod]

Im playing about with an old amp Iv been given, and I notice that if I plug my Ipod into the Phono it stupidly bassy and distorted, but if I plug my old record player into it and it now plays perfectly.....I assume this is normal, but why?

I now have my ipod plugged into CD (I think) and my record player into Phono and it all seems to play perfectly, but I thought anything could be plugged into the Phono.

 

[matthewpiano]

No. Phono is for turntables only. All other sources output a line level signal but turntables don't. They need special equalisation, hence the need for a dedicated phono stage.

 

[Andrew Everard]

The phono input has higher gain, due to the very low output of phono cartridges, and also re-equalisation designed to undo the effects of the equalisation involved in the record mastering process.

Plugging the iPod into CD - or any other line input (such as tape in, tuner, aux) - is the way to go.

 

[ElectroMan]

The phono input on an amplifier is intended solely for turntables (I assume it's short for phonograph!).

 

[Anonymous]

Anything can be plugged into there if you don't have a built in phone stage inside the amp, which by the sounds of it you do. Without the built in phono stage the deck would sound very quiet, which I expect you will find if you plug it into any other input.

Keep the ipod plugged into another input, and the deck into the phono.

 

[Anonymous]

Lol, 3 replies at once, your very lucky!

 

[mushroomgod]

god you guys are good!!!

thanks for the help, for a moment I thought the amp might be bust...Im now more the wiser.

Cheers again

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:
The phono input has higher gain, due to the very low output of phono cartridges, and also re-equalisation designed to undo the effects of the equalisation involved in the record mastering process.

Plugging the iPod into CD - or any other line input (such as tape in, tuner, aux) - is the way to go.

Could someone explain this equalisation involved in the record mastering process? This is news to me.

 

[Anonymous]

From Wikipedia:

Phonograph recordings are made with high frequencies boosted. This reduces background noise, including clicks or pops, and also conserves the amount of physical space needed for each groove, by reducing the size of the larger low-frequency undulations. During playback the high frequencies are rescaled to their original level. This is accomplished in the amplifier with a "PHONO" input that incorporates standardizedÿRIAA equalizationÿcircuitry.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Merci beacoup.