ok to break in phono preamp w/ non lp source?

You will probably overload the preamp. I always break in gear by just listening.
Alan

Granite Audio make MM and MC phono burn-in discs for exactly this purpose. I'm not sure if there's a risk in doing it the way you propose.

Phono preamps are not designed to accept line level signals. Line level signals are in volts while phono level signals are in millivolts. Whether the difference will actually damage your phono pre depends upon the design. Do you feel lucky?

OK to break only preferably if it's still on warranty.

With the investment you have in Vincent and Linn Classic you should opt for one of these.

They work superbly, I have one and it's saved me countless hours while greatly improving performance.

http://www.kabusa.com/preconlp.htm

It's only $79.95 and for top performance you can reinsert and burn in a couple of times a year.

They work superbly, I have one and it's saved me countless hours while greatly improving performance.
http://www.kabusa.com/preconlp.htm

Hagtech makes a similar device for breakin:

Inverse RIAA Filter

LOL, good one Marakanetz... except that many manufacturers will disclaim their warranty obligations to the extent damage was caused by owner abuse.

Putting a line-level signal into a phono input might be deemed as such. It certainly would not accord with the instructions provided with the unit.

Both those inverse RIAA filters attenuate the signal so I see no problem with using them.

I have not used one myself but they look interesting.

Albert, Thanks so much for letting us know about that KAB device. It seems to be quite a bargain at the price. I just ordered one.

As to the OP's question, the output of a CDP would drastically overload the input of any MC phono section and probably most MM phono sections as well, as many others have noted. (The latter typically have a much higher upper limit for signal voltage going in compared to the former.) However, I don't think it would do permanent damage to a tube type, maybe to a SS type. I do wonder whether you would get the break-in effect that you seek. Bottom line: don't do it.

07-27-12: Lewm
Albert, Thanks so much for letting us know about that KAB device. It seems to be quite a bargain at the price. I just ordered one.

You're welcome Lew.

Another option I've used with the KAB is connecting it's regular RCA output to pin connectors to accommodate a tonearm.

Start with an old pair of "throw away" AV cables, those that came packed with VCR and such.

Cut the RCA connectors off one end and connect the two conductors (center and shield) to proper size pins or alligator clips.

Now the KAB can be run through the tonearm cable at phono cartridge mount point. Don't forget to connect the tonearm cable into the phono stage to terminate the connection.

With a CD player (or tuner) on repeat you burn in everything in the chain at proper EQ and voltage. I swap CD software frequently, varying from classical to pop and hard rock.

I've accumulated several hundred hours burn in a relatively short time. Makes a huge performance improvement and saves countless hours of wear and tear on a cartridge waiting for the wiring to reach 100%.

BTW, I put a new Vincent Pho-8 up against a new Pro-ject phono tube box II (my demo one was replaced under factory warranty after 1 channel got noisy) this weekend. The Pro-ject won out with better sound stage, realistic instrument sound and just overall more musical. I hope to upgrade the wall wart for the Pro-ject tube box. Would this one be a higher quality less noisy power supply?:

http://www.powerstream.com/EA1050.htm
EA1050A-61 16V 4A 5.5x2.5x11mm $57.50

Thanks everyone,

Scott

To follow up on my earlier post about the Granite Audio discs -- they output at suitably low levels for this application, like the KAB device. Which I expect is why the MC and MM discs are separate. The MM output is too great for an MC phono stage and you wouldn't want to accidentally play those tracks.