Ayre K-5xe preamp and turntable issues

MM or MC?

I have tried both. 

Which turntables do you own that have built-in phono pre-amps? Are the built-in phono pre-amps defeatable via a switch? Or do you have separate RCA outputs for internal pre-amp and external pre-amp? Lastly, it is unlikely that any turntable has a built-in phono pre-amp that is switchable for both MM and MC cartridges. I'm not familiar with a TT that has this feature. All of the TTs I'm familiar with only support MM cartridges via the internal phono pre-amp, if they even have an internal phono pre-amp at all.

Good Luck. Hope you figure it out and get to enjoy your vinyl.

Turntables are a Sony with defeatable switch, however Ayre does not have phono pre built in. The other table is a circa 1970ish Technics SL-10. One table has MC the other MM. neither are providing good output.

A Google search of Technics SL-10 found this:

The SL-10 came equipped with the Technics EPS-310MC moving-coil cartridge. Due to the low output of the moving-coil cartridge, the SL-10 includes a built-in, bypassable step-up preamp to allow it to connect to standard phono inputs.

I think you would still need a phono stage, with gain, to get suitable volume. I think the step-up only steps the output up to the same level as a MM cartridge.

Regarding your Sony, I don't know. Either you have the switch turned off, the switch/phono pre-amp is not working, or the cartridge is a low-output cartridge.

I think you likely need to buy a phono pre-amp to put between your TT and Ayre pre-amp.

Good Luck, and Best Regards...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!