2. analog
  3. 1276108708

No PHONO IN Solution

The headphone amplifier I use doesn't have PHONO-IN input.
I always thought that MC/MM phono preamp such as Music Reference RM-4 would be sufficient. But as it turned to be the device like this only brings the signal up to the level when it can be fed into the PHONO IN input of the amplifier that does already has a PHONO-IN jack. I wonder what I supposed to do if the amplifier doesn't have PHONO IN build in. What category of devices can be used?
sputniks
sputniks OP
30 posts
 
I feel comfortable spending no more than 1000 dollars on phono stage. What would you recommend?
restock
831 posts
 
The Sumico Blue Point 2 has an output of 2.5 mV which qualifies it for a MM stage.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
As far as i can tell, you should have no problem running the RM4 (looking at the RM4+ specs above) into any input on your linestage but I note the RM4 does not have a pre-pre stage to accept low-output MC cartridges, which, as Swampwalker suggests, means you need a step-up or headamp or a different one-box phono stage which includes one (still assuming you want to run a low output MC cart). There are any number of step-up devices available, new and used. I personally use a headamp these days but there are people in both camps. There are some inexpensive headamps and SUTs out there to add to the RM4 if you want. Many like Cinemag SUTs. Some people have used the Hagerman Piccolo headamp to good effect. Some have hotrodded it a bit too.
More to discover