Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => S.E.X. Kit => Topic started by: Geographer on December 30, 2013, 03:31:43 PM
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So my father and I just put together the S.E.X amp (WOOOT) and we set it to the lower impudence since I have Grado RS2's and Grado SR120s.
To test the unit we plugged in an iPhone and the volume levels were very loud.
But then I plugged in my Project Debut II original turntable and the volume is very low. Did I set something improperly? Is it the turntable? Is there anything I can do to get the output louder?
Thanks!
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The turntable output needs to be preamplified and equalized via a phono stage. There is not enough output signal strength to go directly to the amp. Additionally vinyl records are pre-equalized via a RIAA curve. The phono stage de-equalizes the signal to a normal listening curve.
Cheers,
Geary
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I see, can you provide an example link of something I can purchase that will take care of this?
I'm pretty new to record players and hardware.
Thanks much for your reply!
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Reduction Phono Preamp (http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/reduction-phono-preamplifier-kit)
Good easy reading (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization)
The output of a moving magnet cartridge is ~3-6mV (this is 0.003 to 0.006V), the output of your iPhone will be at least 1.5V, if not more.
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I see, can you provide an example link of something I can purchase that will take care of this?...
That is pretty much a "How long is a piece of string?" request. I take it that you have not played the turntable in your system before or were you using a receiver or integrated amp with a phono stage? There are a multitude of phono stages available from $25 to OMG hide the checkbook.
Do a google search for phonostges. I am assuming that your table has a moving magnet cartridge, so the choices are pretty vast. But you first need to determine the overall system gain that you will need.
If you want a very good one, at a reasonable price, look no further than the Bottlehead Reduction:
http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/reduction-phono-preamplifier-kit (http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/reduction-phono-preamplifier-kit)
You need to spend some time researching and learning about vinyl playback. Evaluate how large your vinyl library is, how much you will listen and set a reasonable budget based on those parameters. You will have a long way to go before you outgrow the SEX amp.
Cheers,
Geary