stupid question time

Simplyrandom

I have to admit it has been a very long time since I had anything other than a home theater in a box or mp3s on my computer so I am quite rusty on the stereo thing period much less anything remotely close to audiophile territory. I realize that the output of a cd player is hotter or higher than a turntable and my understanding is they mix cds louder than lps were as well. When I listen to cds on my old Onkyo I get a comfortable listening level at around 3 to 4 on the dial. Now on the other hand when I listen to an lp regardless of it being a new remix of Zepplin or an original pressing of Elton John I need to turn the dial to 9 or 10 to get the same volume. I am using a Pioneer PL-10 with a Grado Green. I guess I am really asking if this is normal or could it be something specific to the phono stage on my Onkyo. I am saving up to buy a Silk Audio tube amp and I am wondering if I should expect the same sort of condition with the new amp. I will be adding a Bellari VP29 solid state pre to get me going and will most likely upgrade it later on though I doubt I will ever spend the kind of money some people pour into this rabbit hole. I appreciate any advice you guys might be able to give to this absent minded ****.

Pycroft

I don't know the answer - but I believe it is not normal - at least never in a situation on my system have I ever had to turn a record player up considerably louder. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I'd wait to hear from others before playing around! Best of luck.

James

Jim Shearer

Level differences between the phono and CD/aux input are of little significance. When you change to a new phono-pre and or new pre w/ separate phono pre things may be different.

Bottom line: don't worry, be happy!

BTW: the same album in vinyl may sound different from the album on CD, even when they are made from the same digital master tape. While the digital master tape may be exactly reproduced on a CD, the vinyl has been processed through electronics driving the lathe cutting the master lacquer, with both the electronics and the cutting head leaving their signature on the recording. Then your turntable & cartridge and phono-pre leave their signature. On the CD side, the DAC & electronics leave their signature. So neither will sound _exactly_ like what the recording engineer heard. You have to decide which you enjoy more.

Cheers, Jim

Msabot1

Simply put....CD has higher GAIN than Phono does,which is why you have to compensate with the volume on your pre .....

SCompRacer

Not unusual at all for CD players to require less volume than some phono stages. It's all about gain. Typical MM phono stage gain is 40dB. You should be able to find that number in your Onkyo specs. Your Grado outputs 5mV. If you get a different phono stage that has higher gain, you'll need less on the volume knob. As stated, no worries.

sucks2beme

Add to the fact that lots of older recordings on CD are at much lower levels than modern ones. Can we say "loudness wars"?

skrol

I am not familiar with your Onkyo, when you say 9 - 10 is that near full volume or is yours marked up to 40 or something like that?

Make sure that your contacts are clean (ie. headshell leads to the cartridge, headshell contacts and tonearm contacts. My PL-530 had reduced output on both channels due to dirty contacts where the head shell mounts to the tonearm.
Stan

voltz

my set up is the opposite, as my TT just takes a few clicks on the volume dial and my SACD needs a lot more.

Simplyrandom

skrol wrote: »

I am not familiar with your Onkyo, when you say 9 - 10 is that near full volume or is yours marked up to 40 or something like that?

Make sure that your contacts are clean (ie. headshell leads to the cartridge, headshell contacts and tonearm contacts. My PL-530 had reduced output on both channels due to dirty contacts where the head shell mounts to the tonearm.
Stan

My Onkyo is a tx-4500 MK2 and the volume goes from 1 to 20. I was referring to the numbers not the clock hand position. That would make 10 half volume and 3 one quarter.

mhardy6647

Except the "taper" of the volume potentiometer isn't linear.

BlueFox

sucks2beme wrote: »

Add to the fact that lots of older recordings on CD are at much lower levels than modern ones.

That is the truth. When I use my random shuffle classic rock playlist I have to be quick with the remote. One song might need to be turned up, and then the pre is to loud for the next. Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits is downright muffled.

boston1450

From what ive read up on Silk Audio you will enjoy them. I havent had the opportunity to hear one yet. But its on my list also & will be happening soon. Good luck

Simplyrandom

boston1450 wrote: »

From what ive read up on Silk Audio you will enjoy them. I havent had the opportunity to hear one yet. But its on my list also & will be happening soon. Good luck

Yeah I am really anxious to get to the point I can pick it up. Seems life senses anytime a have some extra cash and throws another obstacle in my way to suck up those funds. I was really on a vintage equipment kick for a bit but my skills are limited and the cost of paying for repairs is not cost effective. I know when I buy the Silk tube amp that the quality will not be as well as the older gear and probably will be history in 30 years but I think the unit is somewhat simple and serviceable and I do have a tube guy that works on my sons vintage Gibson GA-5 that is reasonable and I trust him.