Is a Phono required?

Newbie to Analog question:

My EAD digital pre doesn't contain a phono section. Is a phono section required? What does a phono section do?

leftistelf12-02-2002 3:50am

sugarbrie Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,854 posts 12-02-2002 at 04:55am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete A phono section is only needed if you plan on using a turntable to play LP records. You will need to add an external phono preamp to your system if you want to play records, otherwise forget it.
rockvirgo Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 587 posts 12-02-2002 at 05:03am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Yep, if you wanna play LP's you'll need a phono preamp. It takes the very low level output from the phono cartridge in a turntable and converts it more or less according to something called the RIAA (record industry association of america) curve to produce a relatively flat signal of suffcient level so your power amp can amplify it. And there are two kinds of phono cartridges, moving magnet and moving coil. So be sure your phono preamp is compatible with whatever cartridge you choose to use.
zaikesman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,017 posts 12-02-2002 at 10:09am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete BTW, you say you have a 'digital' pre - does this digitize all incoming analog signals?