Audio Systems: diminished sound from dvd using splitter, phono inputs, sansui

Question
Hi. I just got a new Sansui VRDVD4005 -- the one with a vcr and dvd player. Anyway, I ran it through my JVC RX111 receiver (which is quite old) and the sound was good. As I'm not ready to stop listening to my CD player yet, I got a splitter so i could run both the CD player and the VRDVD through the CD/VIDEO Sound jack on the back of the receiver. The CD sounds fine, but the VRDVD seems to have lost a little bit of volume, as I have to turn the volume on the receiver way up now. I'm guessing that I am going to have to get a newer model receiver, and i'm hoping you can tell me if I'm right or wrong. Also, I still listen to a lot of vinyl -- yeah, that's right 45s and 33s -- and as I haven't been receiver shopping in quite some time, I was wondering if new receivers still have a "phono" jack in the back? Thanks, JW

Answer
Dear JW,

I'd simply play my CDs through the DVD player. Better electronics, slightly better overall sound, no splitter issues.

FYI, I don't even recommend stand-alone CD players any longer. Even the cheapest DVD players--even those embedded in DVD/VCR combo units--have better electronics and equivalent fidelity as the best of the CD players.

Try what I'm suggesting, and if you're satisfied with the overall sound, there's no need to pop for a new receiver. However, if you've got the itch, Sony and Onkyo still make receivers with PHONO inputs. I'm partial to Onkyo because they're more solidly built, but the Sony's also perform very well. Check www.sonystyle.com and www.onkyousa.com for available models.

Don't forget to clean your records and replace the cartridge stylus periodically.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin