I need turntable setup advice

F5AgainstOne

I have an Audi-Technica LP120
http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATLP120-Professional-Turntable-USB/dp/B002S1CJ2Q

This isn't top-of-the-line but it ins't a toy either.

I know there are may contributing factors to sound quality, my receiver could be better, my speakers could be better, I have no EQ...

But to generalize...

I have a receiver that does not have a phono input, so I am using the turntable's built-in
preamp to go into my reciever's CD input.

the receiver's aux input is being fed by iTunes via airport express (so its MP3s being played through aux).

when switching back and forth from sources (playing the Vs Album).
The MP3s sound WAY better than the turntable.

Both of the audio source inputs have the same receiver and speakers in common, so would a better external preamp help out drastically? Or is there something else I can do to improve things?

Nami

I think missing the eq is key. I myself have a receiver with preset EQ settings (Ex. Jazz-Rock-Concert-etc). I believe this is why I am not getting ample sound from my player. I did buy the external preamp for my player and getting same results on certain LPs. Mind you, depending on setting I pick, some albums sound amazing.

As I am new to LPs, this is my theory.. i could be wrong. So i will watch this thread for more info.

Could be the LP itself. I listened to my Zepplin 4 Vs Houses of the Holy- same setting- and HOTH was much better sounding.

Could be the USB too.

What a science.... nice player too!

jshin

You're going to get more power(which will lead to better sound) with an external..
http://www.phonopreamps.com/

I've had the TCC TC-750 Phono Preamp ($43.50) for almost two years now and its great.

jshin

Are you able to unplug the itunes from the aux connection just to see if going through the cd connection is, for some reason the problem?

F5AgainstOne

jshin wrote:

Are you able to unplug the itunes from the aux connection just to see if going through the cd connection is, for some reason the problem?

Yes, I've even tried using an older receiver that does have a phono input (thinking that maybe the turntable's preamp was the problem).
Hooked up the airport express to cd input for that test.
I pretty much got the same result, turntable wasn't as loud and sounded quite a bit more flat than the mp3 audio source.

jshin

The only other thing I can suggest is trying an external preamp and hopefully that helps... is it a surround sound system?..If so try switching to stereo sound with just the two main speakers.

Nami

Do you have the option to unplug the USB on your machine- try that. I have read reviews on USBs are some were not so favorable- sound and other stuff

F5AgainstOne

Nami wrote:

Do you have the option to unplug the USB on your machine- try that. I have read reviews on USBs are some were not so favorable- sound and other stuff

USB port is not being used at all.

d1witdafunk

i would say save your money on a phono pre amp and buy a used receiver from ebay. for like 50 to 60 bucks you can get a old black sony receiver and those things run forever and have a phono input. i use to have a turntable set up like yours and i bought a older sony at a garage sale for like 20 bucks and i could not belive the difference running it threw the receiver made........just my 2 cents hope this helps

F5AgainstOne

d1witdafunk wrote:

i would say save your money on a phono pre amp and buy a used receiver from ebay. for like 50 to 60 bucks you can get a old black sony receiver and those things run forever and have a phono input. i use to have a turntable set up like yours and i bought a older sony at a garage sale for like 20 bucks and i could not belive the difference running it threw the receiver made........just my 2 cents hope this helps

I have 2 receivers.. one with phono input one without.
The turntable has a pre-amp
I also bought (and returned) a pre-amp. It made no difference.

The thing I realized is that the other audio sources send their signal at a higher level.
The turntable actually sounds great, its just quieter (I was getting caught up in the volume difference and equating that to sound quality).
So, if I switch back and forth from turntable to whatever, I'll notice the difference in volume.

I've decided to live with it.
When I want to hear records, I just need to turn it up a bit louder.

I may decide later to try one of these to boost the output signal.
http://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750lcpp.html

appie

The difference in volume is normal,i have to crank it up a little too compair to other sources like cd,dvd and blu-ray.Mostly my bass is the only louder sound when vinyl is played,but i can live with that...
Oh its so sweet the sound of analog...Nothing beats the feeling of spinning the black circle..

Edit: It also can be taken back at connecting cables and the quality of them,i hooked them on my amp with the standard cables( i bought one set but needed two) and had that on it for a week and bought another set from the same brand and the difference was instandly better.If you have golden plated connections its better to use cables with golden plates too...They arent cheap but it will inprove your sound so much,if you have one set and another not the poorest cable is the one that sets the quality for the rest...
The angle also could be out of line and/or the needle presure is to high or to low...
Tjeezz so many things to worry about am i right?...
Analog is a study so it seems sometimes..