Phono input with phono pre amp (X5)

[Dennis9156]

I have one question I bought the RN800A and love it but am setting up turntable with x5 phono pre amp is it correct I should not use the existing phono inputs on amp but should use a line in instead (would this cause damage if existing phono inputs used) if so that leaves me with not enough inputs - z8 DAC with DMPA6 Streamer and cd player wanted to connect the JBS JB940 Minidisc but can't if this is the case

 

[TLS Guy]

I have one question I bought the RN800A and love it but am setting up turntable with x5 phono pre amp is it correct I should not use the existing phono inputs on amp but should use a line in instead (would this cause damage if existing phono inputs used) if so that leaves me with not enough inputs - z8 DAC with DMPA6 Streamer and cd player wanted to connect the JBS JB940 Minidisc but can't if this is the case

That is correct, that you can not use the phono input of the RN800A if you use an external preamp. That is because you will be applying RIAA correction twice and the output from a phono preamp will be far too high for a phono input. So you have to use a line input.

Your best solution is to get rid of the X5 Fosi phono preamp. In any event the phono input of the RN800A is will be as good or better to than that FOSI unit, so get rid of it, and your problem is solved. It also cuts out a cable, and your are less likely to have induced hum, which turntable connections are very prone to. So deep six the FOSI.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm also wondering why you're using the separate phono preamp, especially if you need the line input for something else.

 

[Dennis9156]

I have not even set my equipment up yet - Moving house and having a dedicated room for 2 channel I think part of it is try with the phono input then if the signal is low try with the external phono pre amp my number one objective is just to get the best sound possible - as the Yamaha RN800a has only two line inputs and separate phono and 1 for cd I need one extra for my minidisc player JB940 if possible.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have not even set my equipment up yet - Moving house and having a dedicated room for 2 channel I think part of it is try with the phono input then if the signal is low try with the external phono pre amp my number one objective is just to get the best sound possible - as the Yamaha RN800a has only two line inputs and separate phono and 1 for cd I need one extra for my minidisc player JB940 if possible.

Don't worry, the phono input of the Yamaha will be fine. The RIAA equalization circuitry is very simple and virtually impossible to mess up. These high priced external units like the FOSI, are just many of the Audiophool scams, to do a biopsy of your wallet. It is all up there with expensive cables, which are a huge scam, and their reliability is in inverse proportion to the cost. All the money goes to the fancy outer jacket and not the terminations at either end which fail in proportion to the cost in my experience. So, as you are starting out, be very aware of all the "Audiophool" scams, the whole audio arena is littered with them.

 

[lovinthehd]

I have not even set my equipment up yet - Moving house and having a dedicated room for 2 channel I think part of it is try with the phono input then if the signal is low try with the external phono pre amp my number one objective is just to get the best sound possible - as the Yamaha RN800a has only two line inputs and separate phono and 1 for cd I need one extra for my minidisc player JB940 if possible.

I'd set it up simply for the connections you need. While could be a slight level difference, some gear can adjust for that, some can't. Better to adjust level after switching sources than needing to manually switch connections for a particular source. The external phono stage might offer higher level, but meh, its not that important.

 

[Eppie]

I agree with not using the phono pre-amp. The RN800A already has a decent pre-amp and you likely will not be able to hear the difference. RIAA equalization is a mature technology, decades old, so external phono pre-amps tend not to add any real benefit, especially since you need the extra line level input.

 

[TLS Guy]

I agree with not using the phono pre-amp. The RN800A already has a decent pre-amp and you likely will not be able to hear the difference. RIAA equalization is a mature technology, decades old, so external phono pre-amps tend not to add any real benefit, especially since you need the extra line level input.

That is absolutely correct. There will be zero upsides to using that Fosi unit, only downsides from the added connections.