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The newer A/V Receivers do not have the capability to use older turntables. Great product. This device allows the receiver to connect a turntable if you still have records and allows those records to be converted into CD's.
Thanks Amazon. Of course, I can't vouch for that solution as I have no problem with hum). (But see my Update: October 19, 2009 notice below). I did write the review before I purchased my second unit from Amazon but I was told that, since I did buy one from Amazon, the label would subsequently appear. It has not, at least as of this date. If so, they should return theirs for an exchange.Now I have seen phono pre-amps selling in the 5-figure price range (at least one costs twelve thousand five hundred dollars[].
Of course, some of these people may have gotten a defective unit. Thus I paid only sixty-nine dollars apiece for the four turntables. (The cartridge, Shure V15-V P-mounts cost over one hundred dollars each).This phono pre-amp works splendidly with that turntable and the two computer speaker systems with which I have used it: an Altec Lansing Expressionist-PLUS FX3021 2.1 Speaker System and a Logitech Speaker System Z320 (Black).There is NO hum whatsoever - none, zero, nada - and I have put my ear up close to the speakers. But then so is this little Behringer pre-amp.It would be interesting to directly compare this one with some others but, unfortunately, I am not in a position to do that as this is the only phono pre-amp I own.
Obviously the RIAA curve decoded by this pre-amp is spot-on accurate.If you are planning to play a turntable through computer speakers or a newer receiver/amplifier which has no direct phono input, I strongly suggest that you try this one first. - I wonder if its sound quality is really 625 times as good as this one). In my not-so-humble opinion there is nothing as good as the sound quality which can be obtained from LP records played through a good sound system (only SACDs come close). And the components I am using (mentioned in this review) definitely qualify.One small caveat regarding this pre-amp: I must mention that it is strictly for moving-magnet cartridges, NOT moving-coil ones.It is by far the lowest-priced phono pre-amp that I have found which is made by a major reputable manufacturer and, of course, if you were to buy it from Amazon and it were to prove unsatisfactory, you could always return it.I certainly wouldn't consider parting with mine and I most definitely recommend it to all who need or want such a device. I wished to use it to allow one of my spare turntables to play through my computer speakers.The turntable I am using is a twenty-five year old Technics Quartz Direct Drive Automatic Turntable System SL-Q200.
(All of my receivers/amplifiers have their own direct phono input so the only components with which I'll use this pre-amp are amplified computer speakers of good quality).I will say that the sound produced through this little unit is certainly splendid and, at least with the two (highly recommended by me) computer (amplified) speakers I mention, the sound quality is absolutely first-rate.I have been playing a number of my LPs through these speakers since yesterday, the Logitechs last night, and the Altec-Lansings today and I have to say that I am amazed and pleased. I think that, for the large majority of people, this is the only phono pre-amp they will need and I highly recommend it.===================================================================================================================================Update: January 22, 2010Well, it took Amazon a while, but you can see that they have finally placed the "Amazon Verified Purchase" tag on this review. With the Altec-Lansings, the bass is full and palpable. at a time when the Japanese Yen was trading at about 250 to the dollar. That should tell you how much I like this little phono pre-amp.===================================================================================================================================Update: November 7, 2009Though I have communicated with Amazon several times, the "Amazon Verified Purchase" label does not appear with this review. However, at least in my experience, he is just plain wrong - and so are the few others complaining of hum with this preamp.My thoughts (and I am certainly no expert) are that a) the people are not connecting their turntables and the grounding wire correctly or b) their home wiring is not properly grounded.
I recommend that anyone considering a phono preamp, definitely consider this one - and buy it from Amazon. But, take my word for it, I DID buy one (my second unit) from Amazon and, like the first unit I bought, it is excellent. I bought it (and three more). One reviewer gives a technical reason why there must be hum (something to do with the power supply) and I cannot doubt his credentials. and I am sure these much more expensive units are quite good.
Plus they offer free shipping with only a twenty-five dollar order - it's easy to add something small to your order for this preamp so you'll get the free shipping (that's what I did). Their price and service can't be beat. Until the other day, I didn't know that Amazon sold this item; I bought mine from Parts Express. (It might be worth a try to reverse the direction of the plug of either the turntable or the preamp to see if this removes any hum. You won't regret buying this one.===================================================================================================================================Update: October 19, 2009Obviously I know now that Amazon sells this item and I just placed an order here for a second unit.
I then spent the next four hours growing increasingly frustrated because I couldn't get it to work. Looking back on it, it takes lots of time and my skill sets came very close to falling short. I would recommend this setup for anyone who would like to listen to old vinyl, particularly if you can't find it on I-tunes, or amazon, etc. Now I am happily copying over all my old vinyl to digital and playing it on my I-Pod.
If you can't make it work, start treating the nerds in your life alot better, and you shall be rewarded my friends. In this regard, (I just copied the entirety of Fleetwood Mac's "Mystery to Me" album - the great stuff before Nicks and Buckingham), particularly if you can't find those old tracks you love on the net, go ahead and give this equipment a try. But I have not been able to find many of the older "B" material that very few people know about these days, and therefore, very few people want to buy. This equipment is cheap, so it actually makes it cheaper to convert those great old songs to MP3 vs. buying them online, if you can get everything to fit and work together with your PC.I got everything hooked up with my "RCA" cables (the old red and white dual cables with the pointed ends), going from my old turntable, through these two devices, then into the USB port on my PC. I was about to give up, then voila, it began to work, step by step, stage by stage. But its been alot of fun.
It will work. I did some online research, then purchased the Behringer Ultra-Compact Phono Preamp PP400, along with the Berhinger "U-Control" UCA202 digital converter, then downloaded "Audacity" (the controlling software) for free. Lots and lots of nice people have left lots of notes all over the internet for normal (non-geek, non-sound engineers) idiots like me, so we can figure out how to configure and actually use this equipment. Otherwise, you might be better off just buying the tunes.
I found that I need to crank up the HTS in order to decently hear the music and there is a considerable hum, despite proper grounding. I bought this to solely amplify my newly acquired turntable and feed the signal to my home theater system. Perhaps its the turntable or the HTS, but I don't think this amp did not do the job well.
If you are on a budget, but are still looking for a quality piece of equipment this should be the one you buy, sure it is not perfect, but you get what you pay for, which is a value. The box is small and feels very sturdy. I cannot believe it. There is still some, but way less than without it. I purchased this item for 19.99 and as far as I know it is well worth it. My records sound almost CD quality with an old magnetic cartridge turntable. The grounding plug helps to remove most noise.
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