Turntable with new receiver problem

[nasachusetts]

Hello,
I recently bought a Technics SL-Q300 turntable and was hoping to be able to enjoy all my nice analog records on my Harmon Kardon AVR-240 receiver. I do not have a phono input on it so I just hooked it into the CD input instead and properly grounded the turntable to the FM antenna jack. I couldn't hear nothing unless the volume was turned up all the way to the max and then it sounded distorted with no bass whatsoever. So I tried it on an older receiver with a phono input and it worked. So my question is, is there anyway I could use this with my AVR-240 receiver? Is there any sort of amplification gadget I could purchase to make it work? I don't want to buy a new receiver I love the one I currently have. Please help...

 

[MDS]

You need a phono pre-amp. You cannot connect the turntable to a line level input like CD (as you discovered).

The Phono input uses a much lower input level and it also compensates for the RIAA EQ curve applied to a record when it is pressed. Normal line level inputs do not and that is why they cannot be used for a turntable.

 

[nasachusetts]

OK thanks! I will order one now. Would one that costs like $5 off eBay work fine or would I have to buy a nicer one?

 

[MDS]

Phono pre-amps are similar to headphone amps in that you can spend anywhere from a few bucks to thousands. The $5 version may or may not be satisfactory but there is no reason to spend a fortune. IMO, there is no reason to spend more than $100 for a phone pre-amp.

 

[nasachusetts]

OK thanks I think I'm going with th TCC TC-750LC from phonopreamps.com