Turntable volume very low

[Runnerbean]

Hi All,
Wondering if you can help.

Apologies if this help request is in the wrong section of the forum.

When I use the turntable, the volume is very low compared to the cd player. I understand it could be the cartridge or the amp but both seem adequate so I'm not sure what the problem could be.

The kit is:
Pioneer A300R precision amplifier. Received today - very nice
Thorens TD166 MKII turntable with a Goldring Elektra cartridge. Output is 5mv
JR 149 speakers
A cheap/nasty sony cd player

Any help much appreciated

[WullieD20]

Apologies if this is too obvious, but:

Turntable connections into "phono input" (not a line input!)?
Amplifier switching all in the correct places / line up?
Can you try an alternative TT / cartridge?
Possible fault with phono stage (How old is the amp; where / when did you obtain it)?
Do you have the amplifier manual to 'troubleshoot'?

[AJSki2fly]

Hi All,
Wondering if you can help.

Apologies if this help request is in the wrong section of the forum.

When I use the turntable, the volume is very low compared to the cd player. I understand it could be the cartridge or the amp but both seem adequate so I'm not sure what the problem could be.

The kit is:
Pioneer A300R precision amplifier. Received today - very nice
Thorens TD166 MKII turntable with a Goldring Elektra cartridge. Output is 5mv
JR 149 speakers
A cheap/nasty sony cd player

Any help much appreciated

Hello Christopher, I looked up the spec of your amplifier, and is is as below

Input Sensitivity Impedance
PHONO(MM) 2.8mV/50kOhm
CD, Tuner, Line, Tape 1/DAT, Tape 2 Monitor 200mV/50kOhm

Phono Overload Level
1kHz THD0.1% (MM) 150mV

Have you checked you have the turntable lead plugged into the phono RCA sockets on the amp? You should not have a volume issue IMO.

Can you check if the turntable and cartridge work with another amp OK? If it does and you have the turntable connected to the phono sockets on the Pioneer A300R then it sounds as if you might have a phon stage problem. To check this connect another turntable with a MM cartridge and see if it works or not.

I hope that helps.

[Firebottle]

This is a typical problem in that you are putting 10x the necessary signal level into the CD input.

Input Sensitivity Impedance
CD, 200mV/50kOhm

Typical CD player output 2V, or to put another way 2000mV.
The only way to equalise the levels is to cut down the CD output signal, a few players have adjustable output, or you could use attenuators.

The problem is attenuators often rob the dynamics of the signal.

[Runnerbean]

Hi Gordon, Thanks for your reply. Using the phono input and the amplifier switches are all in the right places. I brought the amplifier a couple days ago from a fellow forum member who only used it for CDs. So it could be the phono

[Runnerbean]

I think I need to check the amp with another turntable and the turntable with another amp. I can't do this at home but I might take it to the shop I brought he speakers from.

[Runnerbean]

This is a typical problem in that you are putting 10x the necessary signal level into the CD input.

Input Sensitivity Impedance
CD, 200mV/50kOhm

Typical CD player output 2V, or to put another way 2000mV.
The only way to equalise the levels is to cut down the CD output signal, a few players have adjustable output, or you could use attenuators.

The problem is attenuators often rob the dynamics of the signal.

Hi Alan, Thank you for replying. I'm not very technical (!) but the volume on the CD seems about right, volume turned a quarter up is a nice healthy volume, whilst the same volume on the turntable and I can barely hear. Sorry for the non technical reply

[WullieD20]

I think I need to check the amp with another turntable and the turntable with another amp. I can't do this at home but I might take it to the shop I brought he speakers from.

Good plan.... Should present you with an answer I suspect.

[struth]

the amp may have been modded i guess.. ive heard of some that the phono stage is removed and its just a line..

[spendorman]

This is a typical problem in that you are putting 10x the necessary signal level into the CD input.

Input Sensitivity Impedance
CD, 200mV/50kOhm

Typical CD player output 2V, or to put another way 2000mV.
The only way to equalise the levels is to cut down the CD output signal, a few players have adjustable output, or you could use attenuators.

The problem is attenuators often rob the dynamics of the signal.

Exactly what I thought, it's a fairly common issue.

[Macca]

Hi Alan, Thank you for replying. I'm not very technical (!) but the volume on the CD seems about right, volume turned a quarter up is a nice healthy volume, whilst the same volume on the turntable and I can barely hear. Sorry for the non technical reply

That's not unusual. It doesn't matter if you have to turn the volume dial 3 quarters round to get the same level as from CD. As long as it will go to the volume level you want. If it is still too quiet with the volume at max then there must be a problem somewhere.

[Runnerbean]

That's not unusual. It doesn't matter if you have to turn the volume dial 3 quarters round to get the same level as from CD. As long as it will go to the volume level you want. If it is still too quiet with the volume at max then there must be a problem somewhere.

Okay, thank you. I think I will still check the amp with another turntable and see. Thanks again

[spendorman]

Okay, thank you. I think I will still check the amp with another turntable and see. Thanks again

If it's louder, all that will probably prove is that the alternative turntable is louder, and will probably be because it's different cartridge has a higher specified output.

[worrasf]

the amp may have been modded i guess.. ive heard of some that the phono stage is removed and its just a line..
The standard A300-R with red power LED will still have the phono stage. If it has been off to Tom Evans for an upgrade the phono stage will have been removed (although the phono input RCA's may still be in situ if modded a while ago) - the tell is that the power LED will be blue not red. If the OP has landed a modded (blue LED) version then he will have got the bargain of a lifetime. I sent my A300-R off to TE for his full monty upgrade and parted with 1200 sovs - worth every penny.

[Runnerbean]

The standard A300-R with red power LED will still have the phono stage. If it has been off to Tom Evans for an upgrade the phono stage will have been removed (although the phono input RCA's may still be in situ if modded a while ago) - the tell is that the power LED will be blue not red. If the OP has landed a modded (blue LED) version then he will have got the bargain of a lifetime. I sent my A300-R off to TE for his full monty upgrade and parted with 1200 sovs - worth every penny.

I’m afraid the led is red not blue! The amp has the Precision badge on the front so I’m assuming it has had the 1st stage of modifications (and therefore the phono stage is still presen) but not the full monty

[Runnerbean]

If it's louder, all that will probably prove is that the alternative turntable is louder, and will probably be because it's different cartridge has a higher specified output.

Okay, that makes sense.

[Runnerbean]

Even with the volume turned all the way it is still not loud enough which seems odd.

[martian sunrise]

.

[Macca]

Even with the volume turned all the way it is still not loud enough which seems odd.

Seems like there must be a problem with the phono stage section then. Not likely to be anything else but it's not impossible.

[high.spirits]

I would loan / borrow a phono stage to prove all ok apart from the amp phono stage.

[Runnerbean]

Thats a good idea.