People collect records for a number of reasons. Some enthusiasts believe that it sounds better than modern music storage systems; the digitisation process can result in music being too ‘clean’, whereas the analogue method used by LPs is more authentic. Others may have a substantial record collection left over from the days before tapes, CDs and mp3s became popular. Either way, if you want to play your record collection – and get better sound quality out of it – then you will need some specialist equipment. A phono stage (also known as a phono preamp or a phono amp) is the missing bit that you can use to link a turntable to modern stereo equipment. If you’re a music lover, then you will realise that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; you can’t expect to play good music on a bad stereo set and enjoy the result.
This can cause problems if you’ve forked out a lot of money on cutting-edge equipment. Mostly, modern stereo sets are designed to play CDs and mp3s, and perhaps tapes. What they are not designed to do is play records. There may be a plug in the back for you to connect your turntable, but that in itself doesn’t mean a good listening experience. The problem is that the signal that comes off a turntable is much lower than the signal that you get from a CD player.
You can get around this by turning the volume up high, but you will quickly realise that this doesn’t sound good. As well as amplifying the low-level signal of the music, you will also amplify all the hiss and pop. The result will be your favourite records, ruined by static. Old amplifiers, intended to be used with turntables, took this into account. Modern stereos do not – and most won’t have a built-in adaptor, since it’s not economically viable. Why bother, when comparatively few people listen to vinyl any more?
The solution is a phono stage – an extra component that sits in between your turntable and stereo amplifier and speakers. This phono amp boosts the signal from the record deck and makes it usable to the stereo – meaning that you don’t get the static that occurs when you turn the volume up high. It is therefore crucial for rehabilitating your old LP collection, and if you have a good stereo then it’s worth investing in a decent phono amp, too.
Please visit https://www.whestaudio.co.uk/ for further information.