{"id":24454,"date":"2012-01-04T15:11:00","date_gmt":"2012-01-04T23:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/9n2.ac0.myftpupload.com\/1313\/?p=3440"},"modified":"2012-01-04T15:11:00","modified_gmt":"2012-01-04T23:11:00","slug":"phono-2-diinstrument-cable-build","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ericbeam.com\/?p=24454","title":{"rendered":"Phono 2 DI\/Instrument Preamp Cable Build"},"content":{"rendered":"

Need to listen\/capture from vinyl? Are you questioning the quality of that dusty 1970’s phono receiver you found in the basement?<\/p>\n

If\u00a0you’re a musician, it’s likely you have a highend Pre\/Audio interface at your disposal. With minimal cost & effort you can use the Hi-Z instrument gain stage as a pristine Phono preamp (with specs\/results that the HIFI world have wet dreams about) .\u00a0 You not only gain the added benefits of a quality gain stage, most turntable outputs are also balanced by nature. A simple conversion cable is all that is needed.<\/p>\n

Most phono cartridges are spec’d to work with a load around 47k\/250pf. With that in mind you need to recreate that\u00a0scenario when you plug your turntable into your preamp. A simple resistor will give you the 47k impedance & the cable length alone should cover your capacitance. If you know your cartridge is wanting to see a higher capacitance, then you’re an audio geek. Adding a CAP to the chain will have you covered.<\/p>\n

All you have left to deal with is the RIAA curve once you get the signal into your DAW. Vacuumsound has created a great VST\/AU plugin RIAA – phono equalization<\/a> that will accurately give you the RIAA curve needed. I have compared the curve\/phase response against the analog counter part & the plugin is tits on. I’ve supplied a schematic & build pictures below. (FYI for those wondering why my cable is using 2 resistors? I’m using a 50k load with my deck)<\/p>\n

BOM<\/strong><\/p>\n