A turntable is a major component that breathes life into your favorite vinyl records. However, to ensure you are enjoying the high-quality sound your records can produce, a beginner turntable setup often needs to partner with an amplifier. An amplifier enhances the sound generated by your turntable by boosting the line signals that are critical in reproducing sound through speakers.
What is an Amplifier?
In basic terms, an amplifier is an electronic device that increases an audio signal’s power, voltage, and current. This process enhances the raw signals from the turntable to a magnitude that is apt for driving speakers, refining the audio output of your vinyl setup.
Amplifier technology has significantly evolved, but the basic mandate of receiving low-power signals and reproducing them powerfully remains consistent. Amps are therefore central to the overall audio systems, mediating the signal flow from the source, i.e., the turntable, to the eventual output, i.e., the speakers.
Why Does a Beginner Turntable Setup Need an Amplifier?
Most modern turntables come designed with pre-installed preamps, also known as phono stages. Nevertheless, these integrated preamps are typically of modest quality and often fall short of providing high-quality sound output, particularly for audiophiles.
The role of a preamp is to boost the weak signal from your turntable to a ‘line-level’ signal. Amplifiers then build on this line-level signal and amplify it to a level that drives the loudspeakers sufficiently. Consequently, even if your turntable has an integrated preamp, you may still need an amplifier for a richer sound experience.
Categories of Amplifiers
Broadly, amplifiers fall into two categories: Integrated amplifiers and power amplifiers. Integrated amplifiers include a preamp and a power amplifier in one box. You place your turntable on the integrated amplifier’s phono stage, the preamp augments the signal to line level, and the power amp further increases the signal to feed the speakers. The integration makes them more practical and cost-efficient for beginner setups.
Power amplifiers, on the contrary, come without a preamp. For turntables without built-in preamps, you will need to get a separate preamp to augment the turntable’s signal to line level before it reaches the power amplifier. A power amp solely focuses on boosting the signal to levels suitable for your speakers.
Key Amplifier Specifications to Consider
As a beginner, it’s essential to discern the meaning of the different specifications listed for amplifiers. Many of these specs may sound technical, but understanding them is crucial in making an informed choice. Key specs include:
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Wattage: This shows the power the amplifier can deliver per channel. More watts equate to louder sound. However, how loud a system ultimately gets also depends on speaker sensitivity.
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Distortion Levels: Given in percentages, the lower the distortion level, the better the amp. Lower distortion means the amplifier remains accurate to the source.
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): This represents the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. It is given in decibels (dB). Higher values indicate less background noise.
Quality over Quantity
As a beginner, do not be misled into believing that an amplifier with bigger numbers is necessarily better. A high-wattage amp doesn’t guarantee a superior sound quality. Thus, it’s prudent to first establish what you need from an amplifier before choosing one solely based on specifications.
Match your Amplifier with your Speakers
Choosing an amplifier isn’t just about the amp itself – it’s also about how well it pairs with your speakers. To bring out the true potential of your vinyl setup, the power from your amplifier needs to be compatible with your speakers. An overpowered amp can blow your speakers, while an underpowered one can limit sound quality.
Clip Indicator Feature
A clip indicator is a handy feature in an amplifier. It notifies you when the amplifier distorts the audio due to overdriving. It could be pushing more power than the speakers can handle or trying to amplify the audio to levels beyond its capacity.
Automatic Shut-off Feature
This feature can extend the lifespan of your amplifier. When the amp begins to overheat due to consistent high output, the automatic shut-off feature switches off the amp, preventing potential damage.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to get an amplifier that matches your turntable setup, your speakers, and your listening preferences. Eventually, remember that the final determinant of sound quality will be your ears. Whether you’re a casual listener or a budding audiophile, understanding amplifiers and choosing the right one for your turntable setup can elevate your vinyl listening experience.
