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Phono vs Aux. inputs

Solina Dave

Solina Dave

Member
I love music when it's good, and also sound when it's good. But as far as the technical aspects go, I'm lagging behind for sure.
Having said that, could someone tell me if the "Phono" and "Aux." inputs, in my receiver, interpret the source signal the same way? Or should the turntable always be connected to to the "Phono" input? Basically, are they interchangeable without any change in output sound quality?
Thanks...................Dave
 
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Solina Dave said:
I love music when it's good, and also sound when it's good. But as far as the technical aspects go, I'm lagging behind for sure.
Having said that, could someone tell me if the "Phono" and "Aux." inputs, in my receiver, interpret the source signal the same way? Or should the turntable always be connected to to the "Phono" input? Basically, are they interchangeable without any change in output sound quality?
Thanks...................Dave
Click to expand...

If your turntable has a built in phono stage that can't be defeated then your options are line level inputs like aux, tape 2, etc.

If your table does not have a built in phono stage then either the phono input with one or a dedicated phono stage is required.

Some newer gear have inputs labeled phono but there's no phono stage behind it, it's only for marking the input.

Hope that helps.
 
Virtually all 'phono' inputs on receivers, integrated amps and pre amps use an equalization format meant to, for lack of a better term, decode the RIAA curve that is used in mastering an LP. That equalization is meant to accommodate things like preventing the stylus from jumping out of the record's groove, for instance (as I kinda understand it). So if you were to plug in, say, a CD player or a streaming device, into a phono input it would have that EQ applied, which would make it sound way different than intended.
Inputs such as aux or tape take whatever source is using that channel and pass it through to the pre and amplification stage as is. Basically, use the phono input for LPs (records, vinyl...............insert your choice of verbiage) only.
 
There's more to it than that. A phono stage amplifies the signal, plugging a CD player or tape deck into a phono stage is not going to go well, RIAA curve not withstanding.

As I mentioned, some new pieces of gear have a selection marked phono but there's no phono stage (amplifier) behind it, it's actually no different than the AUX input.

If your table is a newer budget deck it's highly likely there's a built in phono stage (amplifier) allowing it to use a normal line level input such as the AUX.
 
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Aux, tuner, CD, and tape inputs are all line level. Plug whatever line level source you want into them. Phono however is different. Besides the RIAA equalization, the phono input is meant to receive a very low voltage input from the turntable cartridge. Plugging a line level source like a CD Ayer, tuner, etc. into it, it can damage the phono preamp stage. Line level is way too much gain for the phono preamp first stage.
 
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The OP has a Technics SA500 receiver. So, its phono inputs do indeed connect the signal from the turntable (actually, from its cartridge) to a phono preamp stage.

He has an ELAC Miracord table. No built in phono preamp.

OP, do not connect a line level input (such as a CD player, tuner, tape deck, DAC, etc) to the phono jacks, and do not connect your turntable to anything other than the phono jacks.

If you want to use an external phono preamp, connect the turntable to it, and it to any line level input on your receiver...NOT to the phono inputs.
 
Lavane said:
Aux, tuner, CD, and tape inputs are all line level. Plug whatever line level source you want into them. Phono however is different. Besides the RIAA equalization, the phono input is meant to receive a very low voltage input from the turntable cartridge. Plugging a line level source like a CD Ayer, tuner, etc. into it, it can damage the phono preamp stage. Line level is way too much gain for the phono preamp first stage.
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spark1 said:
The OP has a Technics SA500 receiver. So, its phono inputs do indeed connect the signal from the turntable (actually, from its cartridge) to a phono preamp stage.

He has an ELAC Miracord table. No built in phono preamp.

OP, do not connect a line level input (such as a CD player, tuner, tape deck, DAC, etc) to the phono jacks, and do not connect your turntable to anything other than the phono jacks.

If you want to use an external phono preamp, connect the turntable to it, and it to any line level input on your receiver...NOT to the phono inputs.
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I think that"s exactly the information I was looking for. I had considered the possibility that the design voltage output from the cartridge may have to be interpreted differently than a line level voltage source, and therefore should in turn be connected to the designated phono input, but I wasn't sure, and needed confirmation of that. So thanks for your replies to my question, and you can be sure my old ELAC turntable will only ever be connected to the phono inputs of my Technics receiver. And also RIAA equalization is a new one for me, so I've got something to occupy my time investigating that.
Thanks again..........Dave
 
Solina Dave said:
I think that"s exactly the information I was looking for. I had considered the possibility that the design voltage output from the cartridge may have to be interpreted differently than a line level voltage source, and therefore should in turn be connected to the designated phono input, but I wasn't sure, and needed confirmation of that. So thanks for your replies to my question, and you can be sure my old ELAC turntable will only ever be connected to the phono inputs of my Technics receiver. And also RIAA equalization is a new one for me, so I've got something to occupy my time investigating that.
Thanks again..........Dave
Click to expand...
Basically the information has to be compressed to fit on a record. The phono preamp's job is to uncompress it with RIAA equalization. There used to be several standards early on depending on how the record was recorded. Some older preamps had several curves you could select. If you want to explore different and possibly better phono preamps in the future, you can add a stand alone phono preamp to any of your line level inputs like aux, tuner, tape, etc.
I've repaired several phono stages in integrated amplifiers that had blown transistors. Maybe due to someone plugging a line level source into it.
 
Why would anyone build a component with a phono input connected to nothing? Is it essentially a line level input? You could use it, I guess, with a modern table with a built in preamp, but what average millennial or gen-zer is gonna know the diff?
 
I've never seen such a thing. But I don't spend a lot of time looking at new gear anymore.

Seems to me that a device claiming a phono input should provide the right circuitry for a phono signal. A turntable with a built in phono amp puts out a line level signal....not a phono signal.
 
Yodathedog said:
Why would anyone build a component with a phono input connected to nothing? Is it essentially a line level input? You could use it, I guess, with a modern table with a built in preamp, but what average millennial or gen-zer is gonna know the diff?
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Why? You would need to ask the manufacturers for that answer.
 
spark1 said:
I've never seen such a thing. But I don't spend a lot of time looking at new gear anymore.

Seems to me that a device claiming a phono input should provide the right circuitry for a phono signal. A turntable with a built in phono amp puts out a line level signal....not a phono signal.
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It's marked as such for device identification purposes only. Why mark one tuner, another auxillary, CD, etc if all just line level inputs? Device identification plain and simple, this was already stated.
 
Sgt Shultz said:
It's marked as such for device identification purposes only. Why mark one tuner, another auxillary, CD, etc if all just line level inputs? Device identification plain and simple, this was already stated.
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Yes, but my point, again, is, you don’t put a lock on the door if you don’t get the key.

But if you’re using a turntable that has a built in preamp it makes sense, but I bet the majority of today’s buyers are unaware of the difference.
 
Yodathedog said:
Yes, but my point, again, is, you don’t put a lock on the door if you don’t get the key.

But if you’re using a turntable that has a built in preamp it makes sense, but I bet the majority of today’s buyers are unaware of the difference.
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Your point makes absolutely no sense in this situation.
 
The only time I have seen an input labeled phono with a phono card optional, it is also labeled aux.

PHONO/AUX or something similar.
 
opnly bafld said:
The only time I have seen an input labeled phono with a phono card optional, it is also labeled aux.

PHONO/AUX or something similar.
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Several new members have posted here over recent yrs wondering why their new receiver phono input wasn't working with their inherited turntable:dunno:, very low output. The receivers had inputs labeled phono but no onboard phono stage. These had no phono card "option", not in any way high end pieces.

I personally have no such equipment, I don't even own a receiver, never have other than the one inherited from my father in law which now resides with my youngest son, the happy owner of the Pioneer SX-1010.

All of my preamps etc were manufactured when the turntable was king so have phono stages.

But just because you or I have never personally seen or owned something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
 
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