Am I missing something?

A while I bought a Cambridge audio Azur 540 hifi amp.

This weekend, I was given a turntable, the first (working) one I have owned for years. But there doesn't appear to be a pair of phono sockets for the turntable. I tried the Aux sockets, but the turntable was way too quiet.

Do modern amps assume that no-one listens to LPs any more? Do I have to get some sort of pre-amp to put between the turntable and the amp?

Thanks

Am I missing something?

A while I bought a Cambridge audio Azur 540 hifi amp.

This weekend, I was given a turntable, the first (working) one I have owned for years. But there doesn't appear to be a pair of phono sockets for the turntable. I tried the Aux sockets, but the turntable was way too quiet.

Do modern amps assume that no-one listens to LPs any more? Do I have to get some sort of pre-amp to put between the turntable and the amp?

Thanks

As you have found out, the Phono inputs are different to the AUX,TAPE/CD inputs to an amp.
You will also need the grounding post to secure the grounding wire to the amp.

It wouldn't suprise me if the smaller companies like Cambridge did drop the Phono sockets as it would be cheaper to produce than with them.

Not sure a pre amp would be the best solution, you'll be better off returning the amp and getting one with phono inputs.

Not sure a pre amp would be the best solution, you'll be better off returning the amp and getting one with phono inputs.

Bit late now - I've had it months

IT is true that many amplifiew companies do not bother with phono input connections any longer. These connections differ in two ways from the other connectiond for tape or CD etc.. Because a stylus cartridge is a bare magnetic pickup and it needs a specific preamp to be connected to it in the main amplifier input stage.

1 ) They have a much higher impedence
2 ) They have a none linear bandwidth.

So you need phono inputs if you want to listen to vinyl. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to go down to maplin or other store and purchase a cheap turntable mixer. Which will provide this missing link

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=35748&doy=21m7

That one is £49 but you can often buy them second hand for as little as £20 or £25 from a second hand shop in sheffield.

So you need phono inputs if you want to listen to vinyl. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to go down to maplin or other store and purchase a cheap turntable mixer.

It might be an option, but that extra bit of kit is likely to degrade the sound quality.
If you want to maintain the best Hi-Fi sound quality, and I assume you do otherwise you wouldn't have sought out the Cambridge amp in the first place, then I'm afraid buying a decent amp with phono connections is the best option.

Or modify the turntable, done this several times, converted them to work with line/aux as opposed to phono, not too hard to do (depending on the table) and costs about £3 for parts.

Or modify the turntable, done this several times, converted them to work with line/aux as opposed to phono, not too hard to do (depending on the table) and costs about £3 for parts.

But where do you attach the grounding wire?

Or you could try this from Maplin.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=28732&criteria=Phono%20Preamplifier&doy=23m7

But where do you attach the grounding wire?

again, depends on the turntable, most you can ground to the chassis and in turn the phono ground/earth, if its a none-earthed power then it makes things a little more difficult, you also have to be careful where you connect it as such.

(sorry, I accidentally edited your post earlier and JUST realised now)

(sorry, I accidentally edited your post earlier and JUST realised now)

Yeah, had me a little confused for a while!;)