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How to increase volume of my turntable - pre-amp - amp setup

Hi. Good Day to you all! My first post and first visit.

I have a cheap Scott turntable equipped with a low priced Audio-Technica mm cartridge through a cheap Berhringer pre-amp into a Logitech Z-680 speaker system. I also have a CD player separately into the system.

The volume output from the speakers is markedly lower from records than from CDs. I suppose that CD medium might be a little louder (the loudness war thing?) than vinyl but this seems to be an output problem not a difference in mediums.

I would like to increase  LP volume. How can I do this? Can I get a higher output cartridge for my turntable? How about a pre-amp with higher output? The Logitech speaker system seems plenty powerful.

I've researched but can't seem to find an answer that I understand. 

Thanks!

rajastrums

Showing 4 responses by lowrider57

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
@reubent is correct on all points. The last thing you need is a cheap device that boosts your output signal while increasing and adding noise in your system. And you don’t need more gain from your amp to the speakers, you need gain from your TT cartridge to the preamp.

Once you have a phono pre-amp in the system, the output when playing records and CDs will be similar.
This statement says it all. The output level from a cartridge is VERY low.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I have a cheap Scott turntable equipped with a low priced Audio-Technica mm cartridge through a cheap Berhringer pre-amp into a Logitech Z-680 speaker system. I also have a CD player separately into the system.
If the Berhringer is a phonostage, then I assume all sources are plugged into the Logitech. There are no specs listed, but it accepts line level inputs.
The budget AT carts I looked up are rated at 3.5, 4.2, and 5.0mV at 1 kHz. So it seems that a MM cart into a phonostage with 35dB gain is too low.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Computer-Speakers-5-Speaker-Silver/dp/B00007AKDP
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I totally agree that the Pro-Ject is the way to go. When I reread the thread I realized that the Logitech was the only source for power.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Thanks mesch! I'll get in touch with Needle Doctor about the PRB E
In case there's any confusion, the recommendation is for the Phono Box E... not Record Box. And I don't see it listed at Needle Doctor.
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-Preamplifier-Black/dp/B01CZW87HS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qi...

Technical specifications Pro-Ject Phono Box E   $59.95
* typical for MM or high output MC cartridges
Input capacitance/input impedance, MM:47kohms/120pF* Gain:40dB
Output voltage typically:500mV/1kHz at 5mV/1kHz
Noise floor:88dB (A weighted)
THD:<0,05%
RIAA-equalisation curve accuracy:20Hz - 20kHz / max. 0,5dB
Input:1 pair RCA/phono sockets
Line-level output:1 pair RCA/phono sockets
Outboard power supply:18V/500mA DC
Power consumption:20mA DC
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