Help! Quiet phono stage!

[jgervais80]

Hi everyone!

I just purchased the NAD c338 integrated amp. It’s supposed to have a bult in phono stage, so I didn’t hook up a preamp. However, I’ve noticed the phono stage plays at about half the volume as the Bluetooth streaming. There are no hobo level adjustments to my knowledge. Is it posible it is the cartridge?

I appreciate your help!

JG

 

[lovinthehd]

Generally phono cartridges will work at lower levels and will vary as to their output level....what cartridge do you have? With my tt/cartridges they generally play at lower levels than other types of inputs, altho in several units I have I can adjust input levels for each input to make them more even when changing inputs....but the C338 does have an integrated phono stage altho not sure of its spec.

 

[jgervais80]

Hi there! Thanks for the reply! I’m using an audio-technica LP120 which comes with a pretty standard AT95E cartridge.

 

[lovinthehd]

Has an output spec of 3.5mV, which isn't particularly high. I don't think you have anything particularly wrong going on. You might find an external phono stage that provides more gain....

ps The cheaper alternative is just to turn the master volume control up some more

 

[highfigh]

Hi there! Thanks for the reply! I’m using an audio-technica LP120 which comes with a pretty standard AT95E cartridge.

Look on the back- it should have a switch for enabling/disabling the phono preamp. Turn the volume down before switching.

 

[lovinthehd]

Look on the back- it should have a switch for enabling/disabling the phono preamp. Turn the volume down before switching.

Good point....was assuming he had it setup correctly. It would probably sound bad if he was running both phono stages simultaneously, not just low volume.....

 

[jgervais80]

Good point....was assuming he had it setup correctly. It would probably sound bad if he was running both phono stages simultaneously, not just low volume.....

I appreciate it, you all! I’ll check it out