2. amps-preamps
  3. 171076-156218

How to Improve Gain for RCA on Preamp. Can it be done?

I own a Schiit Freya+ which I use as a preamp to my active speakers.  I use the balanced XLR from my Freya+ to my actives (which have balanced XLR).

 The Freya+ has XLR inputs and RCA inputs but I have noticed a large difference in gain between the two. Specifically, I have looked at the following two scenarios:

A) source > balanced XLR in Freya+ > balanced XLR out > actives
B) source > RCA in Freya+ > balanced XLR out > actives

I observe a large difference in gain between (A) and (B) even when using the tube stage of the Freya+ (I almost always use the tube stage as it sounds the best and gives best gain).

For source, I have used my ADI-2 DAC FS which has both XLR and RCA out.  

The problem comes with my TT.  When I connect the phono stage by RCA to the Freya+, I have to turn the Freya+ all the way nearly to the limit to get satisfactory dB.  But directly connecting my phono stage to the actives (which also support RCA) gives excellent dB. 

The problem is I am purchasing new actives (Genelec 8351B) which support XLR but not RCA.  Therefore, my question is as follows:

Is there a way to improve gain on a preamp using RCA?  Is this problem that I am experiencing specific to the Freya+ or is this a general loss of gain (I am guessing 15 dB) that always accompanies RCA.  Are there preamps that would mitigate this?  I am willing to buy another preamp if so.   Let's say 3K for a new preamp as a round number.

hemtt3345
hemtt3345 OP
16 posts
 

Even with an XLR adaptor it will remain unbalanced and I believe voltage remains the same? 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,635 posts
 

The Sanders preamp will mitigate attenuation mismatches. Each input can be set to equal the others. Just keep it powered up because it does not write to eproms.

OR   

Get a phono pre that is adjustable. Or get a higher output cart.

 

Chuckie can keep his inconvenience.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,529 posts
 

"...Even with an XLR adaptor it will remain unbalanced and I believe voltage remains the same?..."

On my Big Mac, the output of the XLRs was twice the RCA outputs. It didn't matter that you adapted it to RCAs. 

 

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

I am using a MM cartridge. My TT connects to a 90’s luxman integrated receiver with phono stage (not bad actually) but I could not for the life of me find the phono output (or figure it out). This is the closest I could find ...

Phono MM (5 mV Input Shorted) : 82 dB

What phono stage output should I be striving for?

Okay, thanks, it helps a lot to know this is a card in an integrated amp. The "specs" don't help at all. But knowing it is a card helps a lot.

What you should do is look for a phono stage. You want one with a lot of gain. It will help to know the output of your current MM cart but you probably just want something with at least 50dB and even better 60dB gain. 

Gain is the amount by which the input voltage is amplified. Nobody likes math but if you can handle a little this will walk you through exactly how to find the right phono stage for your cartridge, at least in terms of gain. Rest assured just about any decent standalone phono stage will sound a whole hell of a lot better than what you have, even if only a hundred bucks or so. (The card that is in there now probably has $1 worth of parts on it, if that.) 

 

hemtt3345 OP
16 posts
 

Thanks again!  I agree it's time to get a real dedicated phono stage.

 But just to let you know, I did try a highly recommended phono stage for a couple of hundred bucks and it was no where - I mean no where - as good as my Luxman.

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