2. amps-preamps
  3. 162788-144486

Flat speaker sound/preamp the culprit?/external EQ needed?

Hi, I have a Rogue Audio tube amp, which I love, a U-Turn turntable and an NAD phono preamp. Here's my issue: on many recordings the bass can really drown out the rest of the record. In general things sound muddy. When I plug my iPhone directly into the amp, I dont have this problem. So I think the premp is the culprit. (It has no EQ controls.) Can someone recommend a reasonably priced solution to this? An external EQ? Something else? (Someone recommended a Schiit Loki.) Many thanks in advance!
ineedhelpwithcables
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Is your NAD phono pre plugged into the AUX inputs or the PHONO inputs?

Ouch. That could be it. Line level into a phono stage would overload a lot and be truly awful. But I would hope he would not go out and buy a phono stage if he already has one... and then connect them together??!
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,507 posts
 
"...But I would hope he would not go out and buy a phono stage if he already has one... and then connect them together??! ..."

It would not be the first time it was done.
bubba12's avatar
bubba12
436 posts
 
I laugh at your comments @millercarbon but I'm not proud of it.  You are a sarcastic devil. LOL
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
Check your tracking weight. My guess is that the UTurn is picking up acoustic and situational feedback as others have stated. Try putting it on a paving slab. You could also add $30 Nobsound springs under the paving slab.
ineedhelpwithcables OP
8 posts
 
thanks for the comments all. i plugged the preamp into the aux input instead of phono and that has not made a difference. in response to one question, the only volume control is on the amp, not the preamp. 
if the problem is the low-cost preamp, does anyone have recommendations for a diff one? 
as for speaker placement, if that was the issue, wouldnt i hear it when i play the iphone too?
More to discover