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Question

Advice for connecting a turntable to AV receiver

Mar 29, 2016 12:08PM PDT

This is not really a question about TVs and home theater systems but I'm hoping to receive advice on connecting an old Sherwood PD-701B turntable to a not quite as old Yamaha HTR-5550 AV receiver. I do not believe the turntable has a built-in preamp and the receiver does not have a phono connection. I plan on purchasing a new turntable but would like to use the components I presently own until I'm ready to make that purchase. What do I NEED and HOW do I connect these older components? Also, If I can connect the turntable to the receiver I would like to replace the stylus/cartridge. The head shell is fixed to the tone arm but it does look like the cartridge can be removed by loosening two screws. Does anyone know for sure if the cartridge can be replaced? Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: turntable
Mar 29, 2016 12:18PM PDT

1. You need a pre-amplifier. Find an electronics shop for that.
2. While you are talking to the sales person, ask them if they have a replacement cartridge for your turntable also.
Only buy if they have both.

Kees

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Turntable hook-up
Mar 30, 2016 3:45PM PDT

I thank you for responding to my request for advice. I do appreciate the fact you took the time to help. However, I should have been more explicit about what information I'm in need of. First of all, I live in a rural area and do not want to drive 1-2 hours to a bricks and mortar store which is why I posted my request for advice at this forum.
I am aware I need a preamp for the turntable connection to my receiver but I was hoping for input as to what brands and features I should be looking for.
I was also hoping someone would have had personal experience with the turntable, a Sherwood PD-701B, that could advise me on replacing the stylus and cartridge. I would like to replace both but I wonder if I should just replace the stylus and leave the cartridge as is. I would appreciate any and all input on either subject.
Thank you.

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Answer
For the cartridge question
Mar 30, 2016 4:24PM PDT

Post was last edited on March 30, 2016 4:39 PM PDT

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Thank you for the link and
Mar 30, 2016 6:04PM PDT

for your help. I have CD and AUX channels free on my receiver. I thought I might possibly be able to connect the turntable to one of those, my preference would be the CD channel. Would that be possible? If so, would I connect the AV receiver to the preamp and the preamp to the turntable with the rca cables?
Thanks.

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Try plugging the turntable in alone first
Mar 31, 2016 3:20AM PDT

to the aux or cd channels and see if it works. If no sound comes out or low volume, then try a preamp. Turntable to preamp in, receiver to preamp out.

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OK,
Mar 31, 2016 8:52AM PDT

Thanks again. I wasn't 100% sure on the connections with the preamp. If I may ask one more question...any thoughts on a preamp? What features are important and what ones should I avoid? There are quite a few preamps on the market and it can be confusing.

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How much you want to spend
Mar 31, 2016 1:54PM PDT

might help in picking a preamp. Confused

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Not a lot since
Mar 31, 2016 4:42PM PDT

my goal is to purchase a new turntable with USB at some time in the future. I was considering a Behringer Microphono PP400 at Amazon for $24.99.

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Just a tip
Mar 31, 2016 2:31PM PDT

The pre-amp you use will depend on the cartridge type. There are basically two of these. One is the moving magnet (MM) and the other is the moving coil (MC). Your pre-amp should match the cartridge type. As well, pay attention to RIAA standards. There were actually several changes over the years but fine tuning of the various frequencies can be done with an equalizer if you're not elated by the performance. I have a Cambridge pre-amp that was purchased in the $100 +/- range. It's not the cheapest and far from the most expensive. I actually bought it more for hooking a turntable to my PC so I could record my vinyl but it was designed for today's stereo systems that don't come with a low voltage input as is needed by magnetic cartridges. Hope that helps more than it adds confusion.

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Thanks, I'll
Mar 31, 2016 4:47PM PDT

be sure to check on that before I buy.

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If I remember well,
Mar 31, 2016 3:32AM PDT

The turntable has an output voltage of a few mV, while AUX and CD expect 250 mV. So the turntable signal needs to be amplified from a few to 250 mV in the pre-amplifier, if the amplifier itself doesn't have a 'Phono' input.

Kees

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If I understand you correctly,
Mar 31, 2016 8:59AM PDT

I think you are telling me I need to make sure the preamp has a phono input. My Yamaha receiver does not have a phono input which is why I need the preamp, correct?

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(NT) That's what I said indeed.
Mar 31, 2016 10:50AM PDT
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Thanks,
Mar 31, 2016 1:18PM PDT

just wanted to make sure I understood.

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Answer
see page 19
Mar 31, 2016 9:10AM PDT
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A dual stereo cassette deck
Mar 31, 2016 10:04AM PDT

has been connected to the VCR input/output, a DVD player to the MD/CD-R, a Blu-Ray player to DVD, TV to D-TV/CBL leaving the CD and the AUX inputs open.