If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you’ve likely asked yourself whether adding a pre-amp to your turntable setup will make your records sound better.
It’s a common question for anyone looking to elevate their listening experience, but the answer isn’t always straightforward.
The short answer is yes, an external turntable pre-amplifier will improve the sound quality of your records. But it does also depend on your overall setup and quality of your components.
To understand the impact of a pre-amp on your turntable’s performance it’s essential to first explore what a pre-amp actually does, the different types available, and how they influence the sound quality of your vinyl records.
What Is a Pre-Amp?
A pre-amp, short for preamplifier, is an electronic device that amplifies the weak audio signal generated by your turntable’s cartridge.
This signal, known as the phono signal, is too quiet to be played directly through your speakers.
The pre-amp boosts this signal to a line-level output, which can then be processed by your amplifier or receiver, and ultimately delivered to your speakers.
Every turntable will need a pre-amplifier, but there are three different types available:
- Built-In To Turntable
- Separate
- Built-In To Amplifier
The primary function of a pre-amp is to provide the necessary gain to the phono signal, but it also plays a crucial role in shaping the sound of your vinyl playback and you can get sound quality gains by upgrading it, especially compared to most built-in pre-amplifiers.
How Does a Pre-Amp Affect Sound Quality?
1. Signal Boost & Clarity
The most immediate impact of a pre-amp is the boost in signal strength.
Without a pre-amp, the sound from your turntable would be extremely faint, making it impossible to listen to.
By amplifying the signal, a pre-amp ensures that the music from your vinyl records is delivered clearly and at an appropriate volume.
However, the quality of this amplification can vary significantly.
Built-in pre-amps in budget turntables often provide a basic level of amplification but may lack the finesse needed to truly enhance the sound quality.
An external pre-amp, especially one from a reputable brand such as Pro-Ject, can deliver a more refined amplification, preserving the nuances of the music and reducing background noise.
2. RIAA Equalisation
Vinyl records are not cut with a flat frequency response.
To maximise the playing time and minimise physical limitations of the vinyl medium, the bass is reduced, and the treble is boosted during the recording process.
This is where the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) equalisation comes in.
A pre-amp applies this standardised equalisation curve to restore the original balance of frequencies.
A high-quality pre-amp with accurate RIAA equalisation can make a significant difference to the sound of your records, ensuring that the bass is full and rich while the treble is crisp and clear.
Cheaper or poorly designed pre-amps may struggle to apply this equalisation accurately, resulting in a sound that is either too bright or lacking in bass.
3. Noise Reduction
A pre-amp can also play a role in reducing unwanted noise.
All electronic devices generate some level of noise, and turntables are no exception.
A well-designed pre-amp will include features to minimise the introduction of additional noise into the signal path. This is especially important for vinyl enthusiasts who are keen to enjoy the purest possible sound from their records.
External pre-amps, particularly those with dedicated power supplies and high-quality components, tend to perform better in this regard compared to the built-in pre-amps found in entry-level turntables.
Built-In vs. External Pre-Amps
When deciding whether a pre-amp will make your turntable sound better, it’s essential to consider the differences between built-in and external pre-amps.
Built-In Pre-Amps
Many entry-level and mid-range turntables come with a built-in pre-amp.
As implied by its name, the pre-amp is physically built into the turntable with an RCA or 3.5mm audio output that can plug into your amplifier or active speakers without any further equipment.
Here's a Pro-Ject E1 turntable with a built-in pre-amplifier:
These are convenient for beginners or those looking for a simple, plug-and-play setup.
Built-in pre-amps are generally adequate for casual listening but may not deliver the best sound quality.
They are often limited by cost constraints and are unlikely to match the performance of a good external pre-amp.
External Pre-Amps
External pre-amps are standalone units that connect between your turntable and amplifier or powered speakers.
They offer several advantages over built-in pre-amps, including better components, improved circuitry, and more accurate RIAA equalisation.
Investing in an external pre-amp can significantly improve the sound quality of your turntable, particularly if you have a high-quality system and a collection of well-maintained records.
External pre-amps come in various price ranges, from budget models to high-end units costing hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
When choosing an external pre-amp, it’s important to match it with the rest of your audio system to ensure you’re getting the best possible performance for your investment.
Built-In To Amplifiers / Active Speakers
You’ll also find a phono pre-ampifier in many stereo audio amplifiers and even active bookshelf speakers.
In this case the pre-amp is built into the amplifier or active bookshelf speakersand often marked as a “Phono” input.
Here's a Kanto Audio TUK active bookshelf speaker with built in phono stage:
You simply connect the turntable to this phono input.
This is often better than the built-in pre-amp of your turntable, but is usually still not as good as a separate external pre-amp.
When to Upgrade to an External Pre-Amp
So, when should you consider upgrading to an external pre-amp?
Here are some scenarios where it might make sense:
- You’ve Upgraded Your Turntable or Cartridge: If you’ve invested in a higher-end turntable or upgraded your cartridge to a more advanced model, your built-in pre-amp may no longer be up to the task. An external pre-amp can help you get the most out of your new equipment by providing better amplification and sound quality.
- You Notice Hissing or Hum: If you’re experiencing unwanted noise such as hissing or hum from your current setup, an external pre-amp with a grounding post will make an improvement.
- You Want More Control Over Your Sound: Some external pre-amps offer additional features such as adjustable gain settings or different equalisation curves. If you’re looking for more control over your sound, an external pre-amp can provide these options.
- Your Current Setup Lacks Punch: If your vinyl records sound flat or lack dynamic range, an external pre-amp might be the solution. By providing better signal amplification and more accurate equalisation, a good pre-amp can make your records sound more vibrant and engaging.
Conclusion: Is a Pre-Amp Worth It?
Ultimately, upgrading your pre-amp will make your turntable sound better.
But whether it is worth it depends on your components and expectations.
For casual listeners with an entry-level turntable, the built-in pre-amp will likely be sufficient.
However, for those looking to improve their vinyl experience, an external pre-amp can offer a noticeable upgrade in sound quality.
We’ve tested our most common entry-level turntables with built-in pre-amps, then tried them with a phono stage built into a Kanto Audio YU6 active speaker and again with a £75 Pro-Ject Phono Box MM pre-amplifier and there are notable improvements at each step.
Our flagship system in our showroom, the Pro-Jet Carbon Debut, sounds notably better using the Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 than the pre-amp built-into the MAIA.
The question is whether it’s worth it?
In our opinion, the more you spend on your turntable and speakers then the more an external pre-amp becomes worth it.
If you’ve bought an entry-level system with budget speakers and a turntable with no upgrade path (i.e can’t replace cartridge or upgrade stylus) then you probably won’t see too much improvement by adding a separate pre-amp.
If however you’ve got a better quality turntable with the ability to upgrade the cartridge paired with better quality speakers then adding an external pre-amplifier into the mix will definitely give you some sound gains!
Feel free to contact our audio experts if you have any questions or want to discuss your specific setup.
