Record player/turntable into 1/4" input?
I have a Sony LBT-ZT4 stereo through which I'd like to play a record player/turntable. I'm wondering what I'd need to look for in a record player/turntable in order for this to work. The inputs on the stereo are a mini-stereo and a 1/4" stereo that is amplified (i.e. I can play my guitar through it). So would I be able to play a turntable without a preamp through the amplified input? Or would I need a turntable with a preamp, even though the input is amplified? I really don't wanna buy a receiver or any other components. I don't know that much about stereo equipment and all that stuff, and I know almost nothing about turntables except that I like how they sound... Also, I'd love some suggestions about nice, sub-0 turntables (new or used) and any personal experience people have with connecting record players to stereo sets. Thanks!!!!
Turntables do require a phono preamp, not only to boost their output to standard line-level which your inputs would require, but phono preamps also reverse the RIAA equalization curve records are recorded with.
Many of the modern turntables have a phono preamp built-in. Sometimes it can be switched off for using the table with a receiver that has it’s own phono preamp built-in and an input marked "phono", or for using a separate phono preamp for better sound quality.
For $100.00, you would have basically 3 choices…
1. You could get a cheap, belt-drive, manual DJ style table, either with a built-in phono preamp or with an inexpensive, but good-sounding separate phono preamp like the Behringer PP400. All of these tables come with a pretty cheap cartridge and conical stylus that won’t track the cleanest or have the best frequency range. But, this class of table usually accepts a standard 1/2" mount cartridge and their quality is usually good enough to be worthy of a cartridge upgrade. You could upgrade the cartridge to something having an elliptical or better stylus shape eventually. I would look for an S-shaped tonearm, not a short, straight DJ tonearm that can work better for "scratching", but has greater tracking error and worse sound quality for just listening to records. A pitch control would be nice. Cheaper tables can drift in speed before long and it’s nice to be able to adjust it.
2. You could get a cheap automatic table that shuts itself off when finished playing a side. In that price-range, these usually have no pitch control and aren’t even worthy of a cartridge upgrade. I would probably go with a DJ table instead…
3. You could try to find a decent used table that has a decent cartridge you could still find a new stylus for. Prices for decent used tables seem really high right now due to the vinyl craze though. Also, it helps to know different tables pretty well when shopping used… to spot missing parts… to know what to ask… what they may need… If buying on eBay or something, shipping damage is very common. Turntables are hard to pack safely. Any part that could come loose and destroy the turntable during shipping must be removed and the table must be padded extermely well. Not many people get it right and MANY eBay tables are destroyed during shipping. The seller sometimes doesn’t want to refund and the shipper will say it was improperly packed and take no responsibility. Buying used can be a pain…
If you’re in the USA, I have just decided to sell an old Dual 522 I restored and I just don’t have room to keep it. I have other even nicer tables. Still, it is an excellent table and I’ll really hate to see it go. I’ve been putting off listing it anywhere. I put a new Audio Technica AT95E cartridge and stylus on it and it sounds fantastic. I installed a new part that restored the auto functions, installed a new belt and cleaned and lubed everything. I installed a new ground wire and terminal because the original was shortened by someone. It works like new and the cosmetic condition is also very, very good. I’d be willing to sell it for $100.00 and even throw in a Behringer phono preamp and the cable you’d need to hook it up to your 1/8" (3.5mm) mini stereo jack. This table would outperform by FAR anything you could buy new for $100.00 and it will probably last longer too. The Dual tables were built very well. Most of them are still running or just require a bit of TLC to get them running like new again. I got the table with it’s original box, packing materials and manual, so shipping would be extremely safe and I would ship insured. Click on my profile and message me if you’re interested. I have friends I made on a forum that know my address and could tell you I never sell anything that isn’t worth twice the price. I’ve been known to give spare cartridges and stuff to total strangers… Here’s a pic of the table with the old cartridge that came on it. The new cartridge has a green stylus. I could also post digital rips of the sound and more new pics…
http://www.4shared.com/photo/DnWQnd1V/Dual_522.html
Turntables require a pre-amp because the signal out of the needle cartirdge is so low. Most stereo systems, except very very old ones, had "phono" inputs - dual RCA plugs, that fed through a built-in pre-amp. I don’t know of any turntabes that had their own pre-amps but I don’t think that "jack" will give you an adequate signal strength to the main amplifier circuits in the stereo.
You won’t need a pre-amp but there aren’t many turntables on the market these days anyway. If you pick out one that does have a pre-amp, it won’t matter. I would recommend that you check them out in a Best Buy store where someone who is somewhat knowledgeable can help answer your questions, even if you don’t buy it there. You don’t want to have to pay for shipping and find out you bought the wrong thing and have to pay again to return it so if you’re going to order it, you want to be as sure as possible about what you’re getting.