New to Turntables


My Father sent me a box of 45s and I no longer have a record player. Albeit, I do have some old LPs stored away.  So I thought it was time to get at least a serviceable record player.

I opted for the Denon DP-450USB. All the reviews say that the cartridge on this player is sub-par, so I have ordered the Ortofon 2m Red to replace it.

The question I have is on the best setup, based on what I have.  The Denon player has a built in pre-amp and my Yamaha TSR-7810 has a Phono stage connection.

Would it be better to use the player's built in pre-amp? Or switch the pre-amp off and use the Yamaha's pre-amp? I suppose it is a matter whether Yamaha's pre-amp is better than the built in Denon player's pre-amp.

Any thoughts?
128x128guakus
@chakster

When you say, "low capacitance" cables, are you speaking in reference to the RCA connection or the ground connection?

I have two sets of mid-fi RCA connectors and haven't decided which to use.

I have Audioquest Ruby X3 and Monster Cable Reference 2, both circa 1995. Then use whatever ground cable comes with the record player.

You have to check the manual for MM cartridge where you will see operation conditions such as load resistance of the phono stage (in Ohms), overall phono cable capacity (in pF) from your cartridge to the phono stage.


Looking at phono cable manual you can find specs in pF (cable capacity).

Cable length will change cable capacity (not RCA connectors). High quality modern phono cables are low capacitance. For example if you will look at the specs for Zu Audio phono cable here you will see “Cp ~94pF” 


@chakster


Just being curious, would it hurt to make my own ground cable? I have a single 5 foot strand of Audioquest Type-4.  What if I twist all four conductors together and crimp on a spade?

I am putting the player in my entertainment center.  So the ground cable would end up running across multiple power cables and other audio cables. I fear interference with the 24 gauge wire they'll likely supply.
Just being curious, would it hurt to make my own ground cable? I have a single 5 foot strand of Audioquest Type-4. What if I twist all four conductors together and crimp on a spade?


You don't have to twist 4, ground wire can be single wire soldered to the spades, the function of this wire is to connect (audio signal does not go through the ground wire).