turntable connection question

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Level 6

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turntable connection question

I have just bought a good quality turntable (Stanton ST-150) and wanted to digitize a few old records with the help of my good ol' Mac Pro. I do have Audacity and have kinda done this before, but the results were so-so. Part of it might have been due to the quality of the USB turntable I had before (ION usb turntable) and part due to other things.....

So, here's my question.... This turntable does have 2 rca output sockets as expected, but it also has an S/PDIF one as well, which is interesting. It also has built in grounding, so no ground wire is needed. Can I use a USB-C to 2 rca plug cable with a USB-C to A adapter on one end to connect the turntable to my Mac Pro via the front USB socket ? Should I just go for a standard USB to 2 rca cable, or even just 2 rca's to a headphone plug and connect it in the front headphone jack socket ?

thanks for any replies....

John B

Mac Pro, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 7, 2020 9:35 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

133,381 points

Jan 7, 2020 10:06 AM in response to Johnb-one

The always-a-problem with Turntables is that the signal level from the needle is far too low to connect to anything without a pre-amplifier. That is why a stereo receiver has a special setting for Phono (it wires in its pre-amp to boost the signal up to 'Line" level (like tape players and Cd players).

If you have something other than two RCA jacks, it is possible the turntable has its own pre-amplifier, but that is not common, and you would need to verify that. Otherwise, you will need pre-amp to get the signal up to "line" level, to interchange with anything, including USB input devices.

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Answer 2

Johnb-one Author

Level 6

9,180 points

Jan 7, 2020 10:44 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, Grant Bennet-Alder. I think you're right on that one. So, just a straight usb to 2 rca plug won't do it, and neither will a usb-c to 2 rca plug, or a headphone plug to 2 rca plug. So I'm gonna have to get a pre-amp anyways, usb or not. Am looking into getting an ART Phono Plus USB which is a pre-amp and has a usb out, plus digital in and out, and other stuff as well. Should do the job just fine

again, thx.

John B

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Answer 3

Jan 7, 2020 11:04 AM in response to Johnb-one

The story with Grounding is that when you are boosting these tiny signal up and up again, any difference in ground sources (like plugged into two different circuits with very slightly different circuit grounds) carries through and gets amplified as well. So MANY turntables have a discrete ground Lug, so you can connect all together with the ground on your pre-amp and amp if you have to.

All devices referencing the same circuit ground = no ground-loop humming buzzing problems.

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turntable connection question

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