A phono stage, also known as a phono amplifier or phono preamplifier, is an electronic audio component that amplifies the signal from a
turntable
A phonograph, later called a gramophone, and since the 1940s a record player, or more recently a turntable, is a device for the mechanical and analogue reproduction of sound. The sound vibration waveforms are recorded as corresponding phys ...
to a level that will allow it to be heard when connected to a sound system. A phono stage is needed to listen to any turntable otherwise the sound will be too low when heard through speakers or headphones. The phono stage can be a separate device that connects to the record player or it can be included as part of another audio component like a
preamplifier
A preamplifier, also known as a preamp, is an electronic amplifier that converts a weak electrical signal into an output signal strong enough to be noise-tolerant and strong enough for further processing, or for sending to a power amplifier a ...
or
integrated amplifier
An integrated amplifier (pre/main amp) is an electronic device containing an audio preamplifier and power amplifier in one unit, as opposed to separating the two. Most modern audio amplifiers are integrated and have several inputs for devices s ...
. They can also be built into the record player itself.
Description
When the
magnetic cartridge
A magnetic cartridge, more commonly called a phonograph cartridge or phono cartridge or (colloquially) a pickup, is an electromechanical transducer that is used to play phonograph records on a Phonograph, turntable.
The cartridge contains a re ...
from a turntable touches a vinyl record, it produces a signal called a "phono signal". In order for the signal to be properly heard through an audio system, it needs to be converted into a "line signal", otherwise the sound would be too low. The bass notes from a signal are increased while the treble is decreased in a process called
RIAA equalization
RIAA equalization is a specification for the recording and playback of phonograph records, established by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The purposes of the equalization are to permit greater recording times (by decreasi ...
. This balance is due to the way the record was press in order to compensate for the sound and is done to create a balance listening experience.
There are 2 types of phono stages:
*Tube phono stage - produces even order harmonic distortion
*Solid state phono stage - produces odd order harmonic distortion
Tube phono stages were the original way that phono stages were built. The advancements in technology soon led to the transition to solid state builds. In recent years, companies have started to re-release tube versions of phono stages alongside modern solid state phono stages due to the demand and appeal of their different sounds.
Tube and solid state are two methods of building a phono stage that will power the device to amplify the sound but on top of that, a phono stage also has to be built to work with the type of cartridge that the turntable will utilize. There are 2 types of cartridges that a phono stage has to work with: Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge and Moving Coil (MC) cartridge. Moving Coil cartridges for example offer a weaker signal in comparison so a phono stage will need to be powerful enough to properly amplify the signal.
See also
*
Preamplifier
A preamplifier, also known as a preamp, is an electronic amplifier that converts a weak electrical signal into an output signal strong enough to be noise-tolerant and strong enough for further processing, or for sending to a power amplifier a ...
*
Integrated amplifier
An integrated amplifier (pre/main amp) is an electronic device containing an audio preamplifier and power amplifier in one unit, as opposed to separating the two. Most modern audio amplifiers are integrated and have several inputs for devices s ...
*
High-end audio
High-end audio is a class of consumer home audio equipment marketed to audiophiles on the basis of high price or quality, and esoteric or novel sound reproduction technologies. The term can refer simply to the price, to the build quality of th ...
*
High fidelity
High fidelity (hi-fi or, rarely, HiFi) is the high-quality reproduction of sound. It is popular with audiophiles and home audio enthusiasts. Ideally, high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat (neutral, uncolored) ...
References
External links
{{music technology
Audio engineering
Audio electronics
Sound reinforcement system
Consumer electronics
Electronic amplifiers