2. analog
  3. 124372-9953

Low volume on turntable??

Hi everyone, so I’m new to vinyl and have a lot to learn but I just hooked up a my first turn table, and with my preamp at maximum volume, and amp at full gain, it was still veryy quiet and had no depth/bass. The turntable is an old Denon DP-31L that I just installed a new cartridge in (AT-95E) --->Cary Audio AES SE-3 preamp---->McIntosh MC2125--->Klipsch RP-5’s. The system sounds magnificent running .wav vinyl rips with a Monarchy DIP upsampler--> Emotiva XDA-1 DAC in between my comp and the preamp, so there must be something wrong with either the unit, or how i hooked it up (basic built in RCA to preamp, with the integrated ground wire running to the Mcintosh chassis). On the plus side the ultra-quiet music has no hums, or background distortion whatsoever, even at full volume.

Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated! Cheers
hockey4496
hockey4496 OP
104 posts
 
Yogiboy, what are these "IC’s" you mentioned that I’ll need? Interconnects? Clearly I still have a lot to learn 😁
marktomaras
544 posts
 
I've heard nothing but good things about the Schiit brand. Haven't actually heard the gear, but I hear it is good schiit!
marktomaras
544 posts
 
 I'm not sure if using the Sony receiver is going to work. Pre-out means that that jack is designed to output to a power amplifier from the preamplifier.    It might work but it might be  dangerous.   I don't know enough to be sure, but I believe the signal will have gone through the phono stage section  of the Sony, then through the pre-amplification stage of the Sony, and then it would be going through a second preamplification stage in the Cary.   This doesn't sound worth it to me. Also, I think the NAD or the Rega  are more than competent  to amplify your cartridge. In fact, I would save that extra money and put it towards a better cartridge in the future versus worrying about a higher end phono preamp now.   I used the NAD PP2 with a Dynavector 10X5  cartridge with great results. Sure I eventually upgraded, but the point is that your cartridge probably deserves the first upgrade dollars. 
 Good luck! 
hockey4496 OP
104 posts
 
Thanks for the info, that makes sense about the pre-outs, but according to the manual if I select Analog Direct on the Sony: "The analog input signal is not digitally processed. Only volume control and the balance between the front left and front right speakers can be adjusted."

does this change anything from your original thought? I really just want to start listening to vinyl TODAY haha 
mesch
3,510 posts
 
If the sony has a tape or record out you could use that. The signal is usually outputted prior to any gain or preamp functions. Run tape out into any line level input on the Cary. I agree however that even a stand alone phonostage would serve better. The Schiit Mani seems like a great deal. 
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