On 29 Dec 2003 05:31:36 -0800, (Stu) wrote:

Looking for some advice.

Basically I'm getting into buying vinyl over cds and I need to get a
new turntable to replace the decaying Kenwood stack I currently use.
I like the look of the Rega P3 so I think I'll get one of those.
However, I'm unsure of what I'll need to go along with it: do I just
need a simple amplifier and a set of speakers? what are power and
pre-amplifiers and will I require one of either of these too?

Thanks,

Stuart Fox

You need to either have a receiver (or preamplifier) with a phono
input, *or*, if your receiver or preamplifier doesn't have one, you
must buy a "phono preamp/adaptor/section (it can be called several
things)", which is an external box that interfaces between the normal
high-level inputs like tape, CD, etc. and your phono section, which
has a very low signal which needs to be amplified. Also, the signal
created on the vinyl has been eq'ed and needs the eq to be reversed
(simplest way to describe it). This is the RIAA curve. So, not only
are you amplifying the output of the phono cartridge, but you are also
eq'ing the signal.

If you go the preamplifier route, you'll need a stereo power amplifier
(you could use a mono amplifier and still get sound, but you won't get
stereo). Otherwise, you can choose either a receiver or an "integrated
amplifier", which is a preamplifier and a power amplifier built in one
case (it's like a receiver without the tuner).

You can go as cheaply as a Radio Shack preamp for about $20, or you
can get better units from companies like Creek and Grado.

If you know someone who's handy with a soldering iron, you can have
them build this tube preamp for you:

http://www.geocities.com/bobdanielak/phono.html

Here's a pretty simple solid state DIY project:

http://www.paia.com/riaa.htm

Here are some other options:

http://www.kabusa.com/phonpre.htm
http://www.zzounds.com/item--RLLVP29
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTDJRPRE
http://www.blazeaudio.com/products/xp201.html
http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipmen..._preamplifier/
http://www.rolls.com/rollsproducts/ (you have to look through the
catalog)
http://www.cdrecordingsoftware.com/preamps.html

Here's one for a paltry $29,000

http://www.avguide.com/product/Phono.../2008/2719.jsp