Cambridge A5 without internal phono preamp

[MRRSA01]

I have aquired a Cambridge Audio A5, it hasn't got an internal phono preamp fitted, is it possible to use an external preamp between the turntable and the amp phono input.

Thanks for any help

 

[JonSnell Electronic]

Yes. If you aquire a phonoRIAA pre amp, (many are available from HiFi shops and online), plug your deck into the pre amp and them connect to your line input of your amplifier.

 

[Galu]

The Pro-Ject Phono Box E moving magnet (MM) phono stage is both inexpensive at £45 and of guaranteed quality:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Ject-A...rds=project+riaa+preamp&qid=1714401495&sr=8-4

I would avoid the many low-cost pretenders that are available out there.

If you have any problems with set up, please return here.

 

[MRRSA01]

Thanks a lot.
Just noticed it's marked aux/phono on the selector, preamp on order.
Getting too old for this lark

 

[Galu]

...is it possible to use an external preamp between the turntable and the amp [aux/] phono input.

Yes, the external preamp would be connected between the turntable and the amp AUX/PHONO input.

Since this is your first post I will add a tad more detail.

MD/TAPE2 would provide one of several alternative inputs should the AUX/PHONO input happen to be disconnected internally.

Note that that in order to prevent hum, the turntable ground wire should be connected to the ground (GND) post on the MM phono stage and a second wire should connect the phono stage ground to the amplifier GROUND post.

 

[MRRSA01]

Thanks a lot, confirms what I was thinking.
I was considering an earth connection between the pre-amp and earth post on the A5, as well as turntable earth to preamp

 

[madis64]

Me a bit confused - if it reads "phono" on one of the inputs (on the back panel) then it should contain a phono (RIAA amplifier) stage?

 

[Galu]

It reads AUX/PHONO.

Phono stages were often optional and could be included at extra cost.

When no phono stage was fitted, the input was simply aux.

 

[madis64]

When no phono stage was fitted, the input was simply aux.

Then the right way to go would be to buy a decent external phono amplifier.
Depending on requirement levels the mileage may vary

 

[MRRSA01]

Cambridge Audio didn't fit an internal phono pre-amp as standard, it was an optional extra. However I have now got an external pre-amp on order

 

[Galu]

Then the right way to go would be to buy a decent external phono amplifier.

Cambridge Audio not fitting a phono stage as standard allowed users to fit an outboard stage optimised for the pickup cartridge in use.

It also saved some money at initial purchase for anyone with no intention of using a vinyl source with the amp.

 

[madis64]

It also saved some money at initial purchase

Yes, one cheap opamp and some cheap resistors and capacitors are huge saving for the customer

 

[vinylkid58]

Yes, one cheap opamp and some cheap resistors and capacitors are huge saving for the customer

Looks to be a little more serious than that.

 

[madis64]

Looks to be a little more serious

A bit...