Tuntable/Phono Stage with Passive Preamp

[jlafrenz]

Here is the situation. I have recently been doing some listening with a passive volume control with my DAC and really like it. I think I have decided to go with a passive preamp. Now, how that plays into the title of this thread is that I also have the upgrade bug to go with a stand alone phono stage instead of the one in my current processor. It seems as though this whole set up may be difficult to do. Phone stages that I have looked at do not put out enough voltage to drive amps. It seems as though I would need an actual preamp with a phono stage. To me, this kind of defeats the purpose of going with the passive preamp and I would also be spending money on things I don't need in the preamp. All I would be after is the phono stage. So I am looking for some advice here. Am I missing something? Any suggestions on getting this to work would me much appreciated.

[DougMac]

Originally Posted by jlafrenz

I have recently been doing some listening with a passive volume control with my DAC and really like it. I think I have decided to go with a passive preamp. Am I missing something?

Tell us more about your setup, what kind of passive volume control you are using.

Basically, a volume control attenuates the incoming signal. Turned all the way up, it passes 100% of what it receives. You can dissipate existing energy, but you can't create energy.

A phono pre-amp takes a very weak signal and (natch) amplifies it to the proper level to pass along to a receiver. They are normally a fixed gain device with no volume control, expecting that volume and EQ will be accomplished by whatever receives its output. Amplifying the signal requires energy and by definition that precludes a "passive" amplifier.

I think you need to consider what it is about your passive volume control that makes you like it and use that as your criterial when you shop for a phono pre-amp. What do have for a phono pre-amp now?

[jlafrenz]

The unit I just ordered is the Goldpoint SA4. The rest of the gear I will be using with is in my signature.

The issue is that a phono stage only puts out mV so I doubt it will drive the amps. I really like the sound with my DAC, which doesn't have an issue driving the amps. I am currently using the phono stage in my Emotiva MMC-1.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by jlafrenz

Phone stages that I have looked at do not put out enough voltage to drive amps. It seems as though I would need an actual preamp with a phono stage. To me, this kind of defeats the purpose of going with the passive preamp and I would also be spending money on things I don't need in the preamp. All I would be after is the phono stage. So I am looking for some advice here. Am I missing something? Any suggestions on getting this to work would me much appreciated.

THat sounds about right: phono stages are usually designed to work with another gain stage in a preamp. A passive attenuator probably isn't the best solution in this situation...

[jlafrenz]

Originally Posted by richteer

THat sounds about right: phono stages are usually designed to work with another gain stage in a preamp. A passive attenuator probably isn't the best solution in this situation...

I figured that the external phono wouldn't work with my passive to well. I thought maybe I would get lucky and find someone who had success with a similar hook up.