Audio Systems: Turntable volume problem, phono preamps, parasound zphono

Question
Dear Kevin,

I recently purchased a used Sherwood (Belt Drive Semi Automatic ST-875) turntable that mechanically functions very well.  However when I hooked the turntable up to my stereo, I have to turn the volume up all the way in order to hear it at all.  The sound is very soft, but the quality is okay.  Could there be something wrong with the wires that connect the two?  Please let me know if there is anyway I can replace the connecting cables from the turntable in order to hear the music at a normal level.  

Thank you!

Heather Dewey

Answer
Dear Heather,

Bet you connected the turntable to an input on your receiver other than a "PHONO" input.

Turntables differ from virtually all other components in that their output signal is very weak. Therefore, receivers need special circuitry to give the signal an extra boost that other components (DVD, CD, and tape players) don't need.

To solve this, you need to get a phono preamplifier. You connect your turntable to the phono preamp and connect the phono preamp to a spare "line level" (that's pretty much anything except "PHONO") input on your receiver. You can find inexpensive phono preamps on line. Two that I would expect would give excellent performance are made by Parasound and Sumiko, each costing about $120.

The Sumiko Pro-Ject Phono Box, $119 at www.sumikoaudio.net
The Parasound Zphono, $120 at www.parasound.com

Both sites can guide you to retailers in your area.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin

Kevin