Chain order?

[johnjacobjingle]

Hi,

Sorry for the newbie question -  looking to affordably add a tube somewhere into the chain between my turntable and my speakers.  I have a receiver with a phono input that I'm not planning to replace just yet. Wondering if I can add a quickie between the turntable and the receiver, or if the phono needs to be brought up to line level before the quickie can work it's tube-r-ific magic? Thanks for any help.
   

 

[Paul Joppa]

You can certainly try, but the 3S4 used in the Quickie is probably too microphonic for use at that small a signal level. Perhaps someone on the Forum already has the ability to try it?

Some receivers have a preamp out jack, and a power amp in jack, which are normally connected to each other. That would be a better place to slip it in, if your receiver has that ability.

 

[johnjacobjingle]

thanks for the response.  So then I guess could get a cheap phono preamp, then run a line from there through the quickie and then into another (non-phono) input in the receiver, yeah?  I'll have to figure out if this or an actual phono tube preamp makes more sense...

thanks

 

[Paul Joppa]

Many people have done just that. It's an easy and effective way to see what the fuss is about, without dumping a load of cash.

 

[pboser]

How about putting it in a tape loop?  I know some products have been made to add "tubeyness" in that way.

 

[johnjacobjingle]

I think I have my heart set on an actual tube, but thanks for the suggestion...

 

[fullheadofnothing]

Putting something in the tape loop in this instance refers to putting connecting the tape out to your preamp, then the preamp out to the tape in. Press the monitor button and the preamp is in the signal loop.

It is somewhat difficult to advise this scenario without actually knowing what your receiver is/what features it has.

 

[johnjacobjingle]

hmm... I just have an old, cheapish solid state onkyo from 10 years ago or so.  It does have a a tapedeck input-not sure if it has a tape output?  Or a monitor button?  I'll have a closer look...