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Phono stage / Preamp Question

Hi,

This is my first post here, and I'm about to reveal my absolute newbie status with it, so I apologize if the old hands think this is an asinine question.

I'm not exactly an audiophile (too poor graduate student), but definitely an enthusiast in both Stereo Audio and Home Theater audio. I have a modest home theater setup from Onkyo that has to double as my stereo audio system as well.

I'm starting to wander into new territory and I'm thinking about adding fairly serious analog capability to my system in the form of an entry-level audiophile turntable (NAD 533, Pro-Ject 1 Xpression, etc). As such, I also need to add a phono preamp since my modern HT recvr has no phono inputs.

My question is this: can I connect a full on preamp such as a NAD 1020 to my integrated amplifier through one of the AUX inputs? Phrased another way; Can I use a NAD 1020 preamp as a phono stage?

My question steps from a lack of real understanding of what the preamp does. It would seem to me that using a NAD 1020 preamp into an integrated amplifier (built in preamp) would put the signal through 2 preamp sections in succession. I have no idea what effects this would have on the signal, or if it would damage my integrated amplifier.

I'm thinking about the NAD 1020 as I'd like to eventually separate my 2-channel and HT systems, and using the NAD as a phono stage would mean that I'd already have a pre-amp when I do decide to make that step. Buying used, it's no more (probably cheaper) than a quality dedicated phono pre-amp, so I can't see any disadvantage to it unless it's going to kill my current integrated amplifier or something.

Any help?
wrxdriver
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I don't remember if the NAD 1020 has a phono input or not. If it does, you should be able to connect its tape out to the aux in of the receiver and use the NAD 1020 as a phono amp for MM cart.
rjason
2 posts
 
I'm not familiar with the NAD preamp or HT receiver but, in partial answer to your question, a preamp isn't a phono stage. Some preamps do, however, have a built in phono stage or amp. A phono amp is excactly what the two words say. It is a amplifier for a phono cartridge. The output from your cartridge is very low and needs to be amplified.
creativepart's avatar
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creativepart
150 posts
 
The phono pre-amp does two things. First it applies equalization to the signal. All LPs are mastered with a special RIAA equalizatiion and the phono pre-amp applies a similar but opposite equalization to make the LP sound right. The other thing the pre-amp does is boost the level of the output of the cartridge to a voltage level that your amplifier can work with.

So, you buy a pre-amp to connect it to your Turntable and then you plug that into any "non-phono" input, such as an "AUX" input, on your amplifier. So, if the NAD 1020 has a phono stage then yes, you can use that for your phono pre-amp. Since the NAD is a "pre-amp" that means it's doing the boosting you need, and if it has a "phono" input then that means it's going to provide the RIAA equalization you need as well.

More expensive dedictated Phono-pre-amps are simply better at doing these two jobs in a dynamic yet quite way.

Paul Green
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
Paul offered a good explanation of the function of a phono stage to which additional explanation is not required.

I do have a question about your motivation in asking about the NAD though. Do you already own this unit? Are you considering buying it with the goal of moving into seperates at some point?

The reason I'm asking is that a dedicated phono stage can be purchased new or used for less than the cost (typicall) of a pre-amp. The dedicated phono stage will (typically) work better than one that was just added to a mid-quality pre-amp. It is not my intention to ridicule the NAD, but better stand alone phono stages will offer you a more direct signal route. Remember, every connection is a loss of signal. Shorter signal routes sound better.
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