2. analog
  3. 1415217488

Can I make the volume louder by using a pre-amp?

Please offer any advice on whether I can make the output volume louder by inserting a phono pre-amp or SUT in my system. I just purchased a Rega RP6 to get back into the sound of vinyl. I currently have to crank up the volume to get decent output.
I have relatively old equipment. My current system is Denon AVR-3808CI receiver that I am using as a pre (phono is 2.5mV input sensitivity with 74dB S/N and 150mV rated output); Rega RP6 with Dynavector 10x5 cartridge (2.5mV output voltage); Parasound HCA-2205A amplifier (220W per channel @ 8 ohms); Paradigm Monitor 9 speakers.
I understand that the output voltage of the cartridge matches the input sensitivity of the receiver. Is this the best I can do, or does it make sense to increase the gain by using a pre or SUT? Do I have some other limiting factor in the equipment chain with the components I have?
Any input and/or suggestions is appreciated. Thank you. -Dan
dkrubis
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,030 posts
 
Since you are using an AV receiver as your preamp, I am assuming you are outputting the front right and left to the amp?

If so, you'll need to go into the settings of the AVR and make sure those (2) channels are turned up. Usually these would be set by the microphone for use with the surround sound channels. Could be that these are turned down a bit to match the other surround channels.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The picture I found here does not show a phono input, only line level. In other words, there is no phono stage to provide the equalization and gain needed to drive a line level input properly. So yes, the short answer is you need a phono stage. An SUT will provide additional gain but will not provide the required equalization, so an SUT is not the answer.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,030 posts
 
Swamp...there is indeed a phone input on this AVR. It even
has the ground terminal right next to it. Look at the
picture you linked again.

It's just left of the AC input for the power cable.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

See page 38 in the owners manual. There is an adjustment for "Source Level". Hopefully this will allow you to increase the phono input without affecting the level of the other inputs. Appears that it will increase the gain up to 12db.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Are you certain the phono pre is operating aside from just being an existing input? Are there other selections that must be made, as Tls49 has pointed out?
More to discover