Why so quiet?!?!

[admin_exported]

Hi guys,

You will have to forgive me but I am very new to this.

I have just got a second-hand Technics SL-BD22 turntable. I have connected it to my amp and played a record but it's really quiet.

I can hear it but if I were to plug in my ipod in the same amp it goes very loud.

As i dont know anything about turntables (yet) I am wondering what it could be? Is it something serious?

After a quick look around the internet am i right in thinking a faulty cartridge can do this or is it something inside?

Or is it that you just need a mega amp for turntables?

Help would be gratefully received!

Merry Christmas!!

 

[Paul.]

You can't plug a turntable in to a normal line level input, you need to plug it in to a phono stage, a pre amplifier, to boost its weak signal.

 

[The_Lhc]

What amp and what input on the amp are you plugging the TT into? Sounds like you don't have a phono stage anywhere in the loop.

 

[Anonymous]

I was just plugging it straight into some logitech speakers I have.

Looks i'm definitely missing something here. Am I right in thinking some dedicated amps have a special pre-amp circuit in them?

I had a look on amazon and you can get a 'phono preamp' for around £12. Is this the right thing and will it be rubbish? They also seem to run off a 9V battery, is that OK?

Thanks guys...

 

[The_Lhc]

That'll be pretty rubbish yes but going into some Logitech speakers there's a limit as to how un-rubbish you'll be able to make it anyway.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

£100 for preamp into amp will sort it

 

[The_Lhc]

£100 seems excessive when he's using computer speakers and mentioned a £12 phono amp. There are many decent name phono amps available for less than £100. Well, some...

 

[Anonymous]

Probably sounds rubbish to you guys!

I'm working on building up a nice sound system but a second university degree leaves me with little disposable cash!

What about some of these - http://www.phonopreamps.com/

Any other suggestions around the £20 mark?

 

[The_Lhc]

That's an American site so you'll probably end up paying a lot for delivery.

 

[frank.custers]

I have this one, and it is quite nice! Normally around 100 euro/80 pound.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-FONO-mini-A-20-/281039302595?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item416f3f6fc3

 

[Anonymous]

Can anyone advise anything cheaper (for now)?

 

[margetti]

A Cambridge Audio 540p sold recently on fleabay for £36 (+ £5 p&P) - if you can get your hands on one of those at that sort of price it will survive several (potential) upgrades and last you for years to come. Steer clear of the stuff you've seen at the likes of Maplin, unless you think this really is likely to be a passing interesting...

 

[gregory]

Can anyone advise anything cheaper (for now)?

Maplins do one for about £25.00 i use one, it's not a bad little unit, quite suprised me.