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Can I make the volume louder by using a pre-amp?

Please offer any advice on whether I can make the output volume louder by inserting a phono pre-amp or SUT in my system. I just purchased a Rega RP6 to get back into the sound of vinyl. I currently have to crank up the volume to get decent output.
I have relatively old equipment. My current system is Denon AVR-3808CI receiver that I am using as a pre (phono is 2.5mV input sensitivity with 74dB S/N and 150mV rated output); Rega RP6 with Dynavector 10x5 cartridge (2.5mV output voltage); Parasound HCA-2205A amplifier (220W per channel @ 8 ohms); Paradigm Monitor 9 speakers.
I understand that the output voltage of the cartridge matches the input sensitivity of the receiver. Is this the best I can do, or does it make sense to increase the gain by using a pre or SUT? Do I have some other limiting factor in the equipment chain with the components I have?
Any input and/or suggestions is appreciated. Thank you. -Dan
dkrubis

Showing 3 responses by mofimadness

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,549 posts
 
Since you are using an AV receiver as your preamp, I am assuming you are outputting the front right and left to the amp?

If so, you'll need to go into the settings of the AVR and make sure those (2) channels are turned up. Usually these would be set by the microphone for use with the surround sound channels. Could be that these are turned down a bit to match the other surround channels.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,549 posts
 
Swamp...there is indeed a phone input on this AVR. It even
has the ground terminal right next to it. Look at the
picture you linked again.

It's just left of the AC input for the power cable.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,549 posts
 
Dkrubis...no questions are silly. You should always ask, if you don't know/understand something, than going ahead a messing things up.

First off...your AVR3808CI should be fine to use with your RP6, once we figure out the volume/gain issue.

Second...you can't really use a SUT, (or a pre-preamp) into your existing phono input because you will overload the input and cause some nasty distortion. SUT's are designed to boast a low output moving coil cartridge, (usually .3mv or lower). Your Dyna is 2.5mv, (considered a high output moving coil), so a SUT would majorly overload what you have now.

You could always buy a separate phono stage. These run into an existing high level input, (anything EXCEPT the phono input). An outboard phono stage, depending on make and model and price, could be a major step up in performance. There are many to chose from.

Bottom line is, your receiver should be fine. You can always get better sound if you want to spend the money.
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