Simple Analogue Amp for Turntable

[Razalghul]

I have an HK A/V 320 Receiver that I'm pleased with, except for the way my Technics turntable sounds through it. (I'm running a DAK preamp). I don't need an integrated amp to replace my HK. All I want is a good analogue amp for my turntable (and some good speakers for it) for ~$1000.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have an HK A/V 320 Receiver that I'm pleased with, except for the way my Technics turntable sounds through it. (I'm running a DAK preamp). I don't need an integrated amp to replace my HK. All I want is a good analogue amp for my turntable (and some good speakers for it) for ~$1000.

What is it that the setup is doing that you don't like?
Maybe it is the DAK preamp that is not good enough? Not sure why a tube amp will help you.

 

[Razalghul]

I'm certain my DAK preamp is not good enough. I want to cut it out of the equation all together and replace it with an analogue amp. (After all, wouldn't running an analogue preamp through a digital amp negate the purpose?). Obviously, the obstacle is my lack of knowledge of such devices. The obvious answer is research, which I've waded into but it's pretty overwhelming. My intuition tells me whatever I hook my turntable and speakers up to should be 100% analogue (it doesn't necessarily have to be valve) and doesn't need a tuner, cd, video etc, as my HK provides all this. So I'm inclined towards a premp, but a preamp necessitates an amp, does it not? This is my audio conundrum.

 

[j_garcia]

Analog vs digital doesn't seem to have much to do with what you are asking. You said you aren't interested in an integrated amp, yet that's almost exactly what you are asking for - an integrated typically has a phono stage, no processing, and just a 2ch preamp and amp in one box. There are different flavors of "digital" amps too, but the technology has been in use for a long time already; they just didn't call it digital before. I think you'd be hard pressed to really tell the difference if nobody told you.

As for the phono preamp, you can't "cut it out of the equation" unless your receiver has a phono stage. It sounds like all you need is a new phono preamp.

 

[Razalghul]

I guess what I was envisioning was something akin to a guitar/bass amp "head" for a turntable. Obviously I'm woefully ignorant on the subject, so I'll try to make this my last question before I retreat and return armed with some actual knowledge. Regardless of what kind of preamp I have, since my receiver has no phono stage (it's running on the CD channel now) won't the signal still be processed?

 

[j_garcia]

Analog effectively means decoding has happened outside the receiver. Bass management (speakers set to small and a sub is in use) are being used is still applied to that signal, but it is not "processed" unless you subsequently apply a DSP listening mode (PLIIx, dtsNEO, etc...). If you set the receiver to "stereo" or "direct" then no processing should occur. Most multichannel home theater receivers lack a phono stage these days, but many stereo receivers have them and nearly all integrated amps do as well. A good phono preamp should do the same thing for you though, even with your current receiver, so maybe a new one is worth a shot?

The phono preamp is a critical link in the analogue signal chain. The right preamp will compliment the sonic characteristics of your cartridge and will help you get the most from your turntable rig. External preamps tend to have lower noise floors than those built into consumer-grade stereo receivers, so upgrading will yield heightened clarity, deeper bass, and sweeter highs; ultimately you'll get a more lifelike response. We've got tube and solid state phono preamps, all with varying strengths that cater to the specific preferences of close listeners. As always, we welcome your call if you're looking for a recommendation.

http://www.needledoctor.com/New/Phono-Preamps

 

[3db]

Razalghul

I don't want to make any assumptions...Does your preamp have a phono input? Also, don't listen to the BS rhetoric of the "Needle Dr." As long as the phono amp comes from a company that produces quality phono amps such as ProJect, ClearAudio, to name a few, there's no need of buying one with a stratospheric cost affiliated with a lot of audiophile subject fluff.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, you don't need to buy fluff, just a quality phono preamp, which they do carry and they do have some at reasonable prices (as well as some at ridiculous prices).