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phono pre-amp 'matches' the output from the cartridge in the your turntable to
the input of your soundcard ie. the 'line in' on your computer.
It amplifies
the very small signal output coming from the phono cartridge and changes the frequency
response so the sound is acceptable to listen to (RIAA specification). If
you are going to use a pre-amp, then connect the phono (RCA) lead from your turntable
to the input of the pre-amp and the output of the pre-amp to the 'Line In' on
your computer soundcard, so you will need another stereo 'phono to phono' (RCA
to RCA) lead to run from the pre-amp to your computer. Standard
phono pre-amps work fine to transfer LP's EP's and 45's to CD, but technically
the match (frequency response) should be different for 78 rpm, and even different
'matches' for different types of 78's. However unless you are wanting a really
professional result then standard pre-amps should be fine. You
can always tweak the audio in your audio editor. It
is just worth mentioning here that if the turntable you are using to play your
78's is fitted with a 'ceramic' or 'crystal' cartridge, (the cartridge is the
bit the stylus fits into) these are 'high signal output' devices so you will need
a different type of pre-amp altogether. You can usually tell if the cartridge
fitted is this type as a lot of them have a 'flip over' stylus. One side for playing
LP's and 45's - using a diamond stylus, the other for 78's - using a sapphire
stylus, each side being labelled so you know which is which. |