Best place to connect phono preamp to Fisher 500C?

Of course, the 500C has a phono stage. It would be usable for moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridges, but too low gain for low output moving coil units. Peter Breuninger describes the 500C's inputs in his review in the June 2005 issue of Stereophile, from which I quote:

"The 500-C's amplifier section has five front-end inputs: two phono inputs and a tape-head input (all three of these use the phono stage but with different equalization options selected), a monitor input, and an Aux input. The phono/tape-head stage uses one 12AX7 tube per channel for about 20dB of amplification. A Sumiko Blue Point Special high-output MC phono cartridge is a good match gain-wise, but for lower-output MCs, it's best to use a step-up transformer to lower the noise floor."

With this, I would probably opt for using the "Aux" input for an outboard phono preamp. This would preserve the "Monitor" input as a logical choice for a line level tape source or for use with a processor loop.

Thank you for your response. The Linn presently has a Trak cartridge which doesn't work with any of the inputs. I also have an original Naim setup that was purchased with the Linn. It is a NAP250 amp, NAC 42 passive preamp, and Snaps power supply. The Linn sounds great with this setup but can not compare with the Fisher and my NAD Cd player. I really prefer the tube sound. I have been experimenting with marrying the two systems, any thoughts?
Regards

Are you able to use the NAC 42 as a phono preamp stage which would input into the Fisher? The NAC 42 outputs are DIN connectors, not RCA phono plugs, so connecting to the Fisher would require a DIN to RCA interconnect. Also, since the NAC 42 is a designed to work with the NAP 250, it is unclear if the output impedance and voltage level are compatible with the Fisher. If you have the appropriate interconnect, you could try it. Otherwise, I would go ahead with your earlier proposed plan of just getting a phono preamp and playing the Linn via the Fisher.

I have a 4 pin DIN to RCA phono cable. I am a little unclear where to plug into the Fisher. I have been told to use the tape out on the Fisher. A little nervous, don't want to short anything out. Getting confusing, may just go with my original idea, although I am very curious, I like the idea of the seperate power supply of the Naim.

If you use the tape out on the Fisher, would you not be connecting the output of the Fisher to the output of the NAC 42? If so, this might cause damage.

Instead, my thought was to connect the output of the NAC 42 to an INPUT of the Fisher. This would send the signal from the turntable through the NAC 42 and into the Fisher. The 4-pin DIN plug would be plugged into the only 4-pin DIN socket available on the back of the NAC 42, the one labeled "output." The other end of the interconnect would be plugged into the two RCA sockets on the back of the Fisher labeled "Aux" or "Aux In." Before turning anything on, make sure you have the volume on the NAC 42 and the Fisher both turned all the way down, then start by turning the Fisher up 1/4 or 1/3 of the way then turn the NAC 42 up until the volume is good for you. Good luck.