Low output from turntable

[TLS Guy]

Wait, so you are plugging your turntable into the DEDICATED PHONO INPUT on the receiver right??


- It didn't work out withe built in phono pre on your receiver.
- It didn't work out with the Fosi phono pre output into a regular analog in.
That's 2 phono pres you"ve tested thus far.

I don't know why some guys are suggesting that you buy a THIRD PHONO PRE AS THE SOLUTION!!!

I think it may be something with your turntable instead. Your cartridge could be fcked up. Did you install it correctly? Do you have another cartridge laying around you can test?

His receiver does not have a phono input, so he needs a phono preamp. We have already established that.

 

[CSW330]

I'd be surprised if this chap could tell a tube from a transistor!

Hey TLS Guy, the Pro-ject Phono box looks like a good solution, so thank you. However, I can't thank you for the insult. Was that really necessary?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey TLS Guy, the Pro-ject Phono box looks like a good solution, so thank you. However, I can't thank you for the insult. Was that really necessary?

Sorry about that, but we do tend to josh each other quite a bit here. Enjoy your turntable!

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW not a lot of tube support/interest around here. I wouldn't bother with them personally.

 

[sterling shoote]

Hello all: I have a Thorens TD160 turntable connected (as directed in the manual) to the TV/CD input on the receiver. My turntable with its original Ortofon OM10 cartridge has been in storage for years but was functional the last time it was used with a Sony stereo receiver.

I resurrected the turntable recently and upon connection to the receiver, the output with max volume is what seems like ~20% of its potential. So I ordered a Fosi Audio P1 tube preamp, thinking that would solve the problem. However, with the preamp turned up all the way, the output from the Onkyo is about the same. I'm kind of stumped as to what's impeding the volume output. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

You need to switch on your TT's built-in phono preamp and connect its RCA output to the receivers TV/CD input.

 

[lovinthehd]

You need to switch on your TT's built-in phono preamp and connect its RCA output to the receivers TV/CD input.

The Thorens doesn't have that, actually don't remember any tts from that era having its own phono stage....wasn't necessary back then as all the receivers etc would have one built in.

 

[TLS Guy]

You need to switch on your TT's built-in phono preamp and connect its RCA output to the receivers TV/CD input.

A Thorens TD 160 turntable does not have a built in phono pre/amp. The only electronics are a simple on off switch with a cap RF suppressor across the contacts, a Papst synchronous motor and the wires from the tone arm, connecting to a solder terminal block for the RCA leads. That is it.

 

[Mikado463]

Hey TLS Guy, the Pro-ject Phono box looks like a good solution, so thank you. However, I can't thank you for the insult. Was that really necessary?

doc's response I'm sure was 'tongue in cheek' given your initial questions that you asked. Glad you have a workable solution to getting your analog playback up and running !

 

[Mikado463]

FWIW not a lot of tube support/interest around here. I wouldn't bother with them personally.

You're right but regardless I'm more than happy with my 'tube' phono - pre, Fosgate Signature v2, while no longer in production it continues to perform perfectly !

 

[afterlife2]

Just got this and sounds great!

 

[sterling shoote]

A Thorens TD 160 turntable does not have a built in phono pre/amp. The only electronics are a simple on off switch with a cap RF suppressor across the contacts, a Papst synchronous motor and the wires from the tone arm, connecting to a solder terminal block for the RCA leads. That is it.

The OP alluded to the operators manual for the TT instructing TT output to TV/CD receiver input; thus, how could I not assume the TT was a model with built in phono preamp. In other words, the OP either has the wrong manual, did not read the manual correctly, or is very confused.

 

[lovinthehd]

The OP alluded to the operators manual for the TT instructing TT output to TV/CD receiver input; thus, how could I not assume the TT was a model with built in phono preamp. In other words, the OP either has the wrong manual, did not read the manual correctly, or is very confused.

Or you're unfamiliar with the tt at hand Or didn't read the whole thread....

 

[TLS Guy]

The OP alluded to the operators manual for the TT instructing TT output to TV/CD receiver input; thus, how could I not assume the TT was a model with built in phono preamp. In other words, the OP either has the wrong manual, did not read the manual correctly, or is very confused.

Here is the user manual for the Thorens TD 160. This turntable was produced from 1976 to 1984. 1984 was when CDs first hit the market. Interestingly the manual just says to connect the RCA plugs to the amplifier input. It does not specify an RIAA phono input. So back then it was assumed that everyone knew that you had to connect a turntable to an input of high sensitivity with RIAA correction. How times have changed, as back then the writer of the manual did not feel he had to state the obvious.

With the introduction of the CD, turntable sales plummeted and everyone assumed the LP was a dead medium. Thorens went bankrupt. The name was bought by new owners after the LP revival. The current Thorens is not the Thorens of old, that actually goes back longer than the phonograph, as they started as a manufacturer of Swiss musical boxes. They were complex and you could change the cylinders to change the music. I have seen them in museums and they are works of art. I don't think they ever made wax cylinder machines, but they were early manufacturers of acoustical gramophones to play the Emil Berliner discs that became the 78 RPM shellac disc.
They were the principle competitor to Garrard in the 1950s and 1960s. The TD 124 went head to head with the Garrard 301. Here is a picture of a TD 124 with an Ortofon arm.

The last of this illustrious line was the Thorens TD 125 MK II.

That is my Thorens TD 125 MK II that I restored with an SME Series III arm. That combination is about as good as it gets.

 

[MrBoat]

Just got this and sounds great!
View attachment 42492

I have that same phono preamp and it fixed my low power issues. My AVR has a dedicated phono hookup and ground lug but it was unsatisfactory. That preamp fixed it and for a whopping $49.

 

[sterling shoote]

Here is the user manual for the Thorens TD 160. This turntable was produced from 1976 to 1984. 1984 was when CDs first hit the market. Interestingly the manual just says to connect the RCA plugs to the amplifier input. It does not specify an RIAA phono input. So back then it was assumed that everyone knew that you had to connect a turntable to an input of high sensitivity with RIAA correction. How times have changed, as back then the writer of the manual did not feel he had to state the obvious.

With the introduction of the CD, turntable sales plummeted and everyone assumed the LP was a dead medium. Thorens went bankrupt. The name was bought by new owners after the LP revival. The current Thorens is not the Thorens of old, that actually goes back longer than the phonograph, as they started as a manufacturer of Swiss musical boxes. They were complex and you could change the cylinders to change the music. I have seen them in museums and they are works of art. I don't think they ever made wax cylinder machines, but they were early manufacturers of acoustical gramophones to play the Emil Berliner discs that became the 78 RPM shellac disc.
They were the principle competitor to Garrard in the 1950s and 1960s. The TD 124 went head to head with the Garrard 301. Here is a picture of a TD 124 with an Ortofon arm.

View attachment 42527

The last of this illustrious line was the Thorens TD 125 MK II.

That is my Thorens TD 125 MK II that I restored with an SME Series III arm. That combination is about as good as it gets.

Well, here's what's problematic, the OP alluded to the manual stating to insert cable into "CD" or TV amp input.

 

[pcosmic]

Sorry about that, but we do tend to josh each other quite a bit here. Enjoy your turntable!

At this rate, many a good chap could tear up his wifebeater, throw frisbee with his vinyl and go all digital!! (after he's screwed around long enough with a Thorens! , i suppose )

The DSD & StudioMaster Flac Master Race watches the OP with great amusement from high above the clouds!

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, here's what's problematic, the OP alluded to the manual stating to insert cable into "CD" or TV amp input.

Well, here's what's problematic, the OP alluded to the manual stating to insert cable into "CD" or TV amp input.

Yes, that would be confusing, but the manual does not say that. I think the OP forgot that all RCA inputs are not equivalent. The manual just says to connect to the amplifier input, but does not specify which. It so happens I know the OP's turntable well. As others have said, I don't recall any turntable of that era having a phono preamp.

 

[sterling shoote]

Yes, that would be confusing, but the manual does not say that. I think the OP forgot that all RCA inputs are not equivalent. The manual just says to connect to the amplifier input, but does not specify which. It so happens I know the OP's turntable well. As others have said, I don't recall any turntable of that era having a phono preamp.

Exactly, the OP is/was confused and we are not.

 

[Mikado463]

to further what Doc was saying I remember a Pioneer Elite AVR I had years ago that did have a phono 'input' but it was without gain, thus the need for a phono-pre ahead of it.

 

[lovinthehd]

to further what Doc was saying I remember a Pioneer Elite AVR I had years ago that did have a phono 'input' but it was without gain, thus the need for a phono-pre ahead of it.

It had just the RIAA eq? I've not heard of that before...