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Path of signal from turn table to speaker

Hi all, if you could humor a fledgling "audiophile" still learning... can anyone specify how a signal get from a turntable to the speakers? My understanding is that pure analog circuits are for many reasons not common. This means that the signal must first be converted by an ADC (analog to dig convertor). This signal then travels through the amp circuitry and eventually reaches a DAC which then outputs to the speaker. Is this decently accurate?

The second part of this question relates to how an amplifier can affect this signal. I have a rega preamp so I don't need an amp with a phonostage. If this is the case I have a hard time understanding how one amp will differ from another for record playback. I know that amps all differ in there capabilities but the basic formula does not change. Analog signal to digital and then back to analog. When purchasing an amp for records... should i basically just purchase for that amps capabilities and nothing else from the input standpoint?
jwl244

Showing 2 responses by yeti42

yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 
There are turntables with inbuilt ADCs and a USB output but these are generally not taken seriously. There are also phono pre amps that digitise, I think Linn have one and Devialet do this too, the wisdom of doing so is debatable.
Most modern recordings are though digital and converted to analog for pressing to LP. It remains a source of puzzlement that such an LP played back on a good turntable through analog amplification can beat the digital file of the same recording, both played on similarly priced but carefully setup equipment. 
yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 
The CXA81 contains a built in DAC, it will take a digital input and convert it to analogue, the amplification is in the analogue domain. There are also other purely analogue inputs that will accept a line level analogue signal such as that put out by your Rega phono stage. The output stage is class AB.
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