Records and Turntables

WHY IS A PPA NEEDED?

Without a PPA the sound from a turntable MM or MC cartridge will be very weak and sound tinny, or you will not be able to hear it at all. This is because the sound on the record has been altered by (Recording Industry Association of America) RIAA equalization.

When the record is made the volume of bass is made softer and the high frequencies is made louder to enable the grooves to be narrower, thus enabling more music to fit on the record. During play back this equalization needs to be reversed by the PPA so the music sound normal again.

Note that a PPA alone cannot drive passive speakers. So you must have the PPA connected to a LINE LEVEL input on an integrated main amplifier, receiver or powered speakers.

Diagram

For a dirt cheap PPA that works OK try the Bozak M Phono Pre Amp about $20US

Bozak pre amp

WHERE IS THE PPA?

Many modern turntables have the PPA built-in and most vintage turntables don't. PPA is usually indicated by a switch for output selection on the back of the turntable labeled LINE/PHONO.

Phono line switch

If the volume is very low you need to check this switch is NOT set to PHONO.

If sound is distorted you may have two PPAs in the audio chain. To fix this you need to switch one of them off or change something else depending on what the turntable is connected to.

If using powered speakers they may have a PPA built-in and there will be a LINE/PHONO switch to turn it on/off.

Speaker rear

If you are using a main (integrated) Amplifier or Receiver it may have a PHONO input. If using the PHONO input you will need to set the switch on the turntable to PHONO to disable the PPA in turntable so only the PPA built-in to the amplifier/receiver is in use.

If you prefer to use the PPA built-in the turntable you set the switch to LINE and connect the turntable to a LINE LEVEL input on the main amplifier/receiver. These inputs will be labeled CD, AUX, TUNER, LINE because they all accept line level input. All line level inputs work exactly the same, the only difference is the label name to assist with identifying which device you are listening to.

IS EXTERNAL PPA BETTER ?

This is my personal view and others may have a different opinion on this. For majority of beginners and entry level turntable systems there maybe very little to be gained by using an external PPA compared to the built-in PPA.

The reason is because:

A. Most beginners will opt for a very cheap external PPA. It may sound different but it is debatable if SQ is actually improved.

B. Low to mid level turntable systems often don't have high enough resolution to take full advantage the more expensive PPA.

For a dirt cheap PPA that works OK try the Bozak Madisson M Phono Pre Amp or spend more for the Emotiva PH1. $87US

If you want to use an external PPA that is better I suggest Schitt Mani 2 for $150US

or the Rega Fono Mini A2D mk2 MM at around $200US.

or the iFi Zen Air Phono or iFi ZEN Phono 3 from around $130US to $250US.

or the Atom Phono which also has tonal controls $150USD.

If you want to UPGRADE your system I suggest you first spend the money elsewhere. However, when you have a turntable/cartridge combo worth around $1,000US or more and the amplifier and speakers are of a similar sound quality. Then it can be worth considering adding a nice PPA like this Cambridge Audio Duo MM MC for around $350US which also has a headphone jack.