Phono Level Too Low - Rotel RA-1062

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

"Colin" <colinj_@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cihjpr01v20@news4.newsguy.com...
> I've just bought a new Rotel RA-1062 amp (sounds great!). But the
> output level I'm getting via the phono input is considerably lower
> than that for CD. Not just a bit lower, significantly lower. I am
> using an old 70s Monarch turntable (very obscure Aussie mid-fi model)
> with a newer magnetic cartridge (Shure/Radio Shack R25XT). Have had
> excellent levels from the turntable with a previous Rotel 1060
> Integrated with an Acurus phono stage (the previous Rotel 1060 didn't
> have an inbuilt phono stage). Have also had averagely good (not
> fantastic) levels with an old JVC integrated also. Can anyone suggest
> how this problem might be remedied? I would like to use the inbuilt
> dedicated phono stage if possible. I know a possibility might be to
> use a phono pre-amp and go through an aux input but I want to avoid
> having another 'box' if possible. The ground wire is thin but it's the
> same one as used previously with no real issues. Could it be that this
> older magnetic cartridge has too low an output for the modern phono
> stage input? Any help much appreciated.

Colin - you sure it's a phono stage, and not just an Aux input marked
"Phono"? A few preamps have tried the latter over the last decade, and then
argue that it simply means "here is where you plug in the phono stage".

The Shure cartridges that Radio Shack rebadged are conventional MM's with
conventional outputs...should work fine if it is a true MM input. Possibly
there is a gain stage not working? A gain setting not set properly? (For
example, a -20 db pad.)

I'd certainly peruse the manual carefully, and if nothing can explain/fix
it, I'd take it back where you bought it and ask for a trade in refund
against something else.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

It is possible that the phono stage has a lower level than what is
optimum for any cartridge. Try a Rega Elys or a Grado Gold cartridge
and you should get some hugely better sounds from your table/amp. If
not, then you need a phono stage and just plug it into an available
line level input as before (that will help in any case).
-Bill
www.uptownaudio.com
Roanoke VA
(540) 343-1250

"Colin" <colinj_@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cihjpr01v20@news4.newsguy.com...
> I've just bought a new Rotel RA-1062 amp (sounds great!). But the
> output level I'm getting via the phono input is considerably lower
> than that for CD. Not just a bit lower, significantly lower. I am
> using an old 70s Monarch turntable (very obscure Aussie mid-fi
model)
> with a newer magnetic cartridge (Shure/Radio Shack R25XT). Have had
> excellent levels from the turntable with a previous Rotel 1060
> Integrated with an Acurus phono stage (the previous Rotel 1060
didn't
> have an inbuilt phono stage). Have also had averagely good (not
> fantastic) levels with an old JVC integrated also. Can anyone
suggest
> how this problem might be remedied? I would like to use the inbuilt
> dedicated phono stage if possible. I know a possibility might be to
> use a phono pre-amp and go through an aux input but I want to avoid
> having another 'box' if possible. The ground wire is thin but it's
the
> same one as used previously with no real issues. Could it be that
this
> older magnetic cartridge has too low an output for the modern phono
> stage input? Any help much appreciated.