Phono Vs Line: Differences Explained In Detail

The world of vinyl and the equipment on which it is played is full of technical jargon and requires a little bit of knowledge to set up a new record player. 

When I started my vinyl journey, the first thing I got confused with was the term “Phono and Line”. It is present in many hi-fi gear whether it is the receiver or the record player itself. 

In this article, we will discuss the difference between phono and line, their use in every setup and how can you use them to improve sound quality. In the article, a turntable and a record player are the same thing and in some places used for each other.

Phono Vs Line Signals: Definition

Phono Signals:

• Phono signals are the tiny electrical outputs sent by the cartridge when a vinyl record spins on the turntable.
• These signals are weak and require additional amplification before they can be transformed into audible sound.
• Phono signals are the raw and tiny footprints of music captured from the record’s grooves.

Line-Level Signals:

• In contrast, line signals are robust audio signals produced when you play sources like CDs or DVDs.
• Line-level signals are already sufficiently strong and do not require any amplification to be heard from your standard stereo audio system.

To make phono signals audible, they need to undergo amplification and balancing. This process transforms them into line-level signals, which are now powerful enough to be played through speakers.

Differences between Phono and Line: In Detail

Let’s understand this difference in more detail with the help of following points:

1. Signal strength and Amplification

Phono signals depend on your turntable’s cartridge type. There are two main types: Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC). MM cartridges produce signals ranging from 3-6 millivolts (mV), while MC cartridges give slightly lower signals, about 0.2-1.5 mV.

Line-level signals, on the other hand, are stronger, typically at around 0.32 volts (V). This strength is pretty much the standard across all audio systems.

To make phono signals as strong as line-level ones, phono preamp is used. It takes the weak phono signals from your cartridge and converts them into line-level so that it travel through your audio system and reach your speakers to produce audio from the record.

2. Equalization

When the records are cut, the higher frequencies are boosted and bass frequencies are trimmed down using the RIAA equalization curve, to increase the playback time on the vinyl record. 

The phono signals need amplification as well as equalization. This can be achieved using phono preamps which apply the inverse of the RIAA curve to the output obtained from the vinyl playback to get a balanced sound output. If equalization is not done then we will get a plane sound with an almost dull frequency response.

3. Compatibility and Versatility

Now, the big question: Do you need a phono preamp for your turntable? In simple words, yes. Vinyl records output phono signals and these need to be amplified to listen to its audio. So, a phono preamp is a must-have for your vinyl setup. 

The line-level output is generally obtained by playing CD and tape decks and they do not need any amplification or equalization. These signals are strong enough to be connected directly to your receiver or hi-fi speakers, allowing you to enjoy your music without intermediary steps.

Phono and Line Switch on Turntables

When you get a new turntable and notice a switch between phono and line, it can be confusing at first. Let’s understand the role of this switch in the turntable setup.

1. Phono Mode:

• In the phono setting, your turntable directly produces a phono signal from the cartridge without any built-in amplification.
• To hear this signal, you’ll need an external phono preamp, sometimes referred to as a phono stage, to boost these tiny electrical signals.

2. Line Mode:

• In the line setting, your turntable generates a line-level signal that has already been amplified by an internal phono preamp.
• If your turntable has this in-built phono preamp, switching to the line allows you to connect sound cables directly to a receiver or speaker.

If your turntable doesn’t have an internal phono preamp, it’s important to have an external phono stage or a phono input receiver in your setup. This external preamp will do the necessary amplification to make your vinyl sound just right.

Understanding the phono and line settings in your turntable helps you make the right connections and ensures your vinyl records play seamlessly.

Phono vs Line Input on Amplifiers/Receivers

When you look at your receiver or amplifier, you’ll commonly find both phono and line inputs. Let’s understand their roles and why they’re essential for your audio setup.

1. Phono Input:

• The phono input in receivers is designed to accommodate the low-level phono signals directly coming from the turntable’s cartridge.
• Receivers equipped with a phono input typically have built-in phono stages.
• This means that if your turntable doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp, you can directly connect it to your receiver using the phono input, and the receiver will handle the necessary amplification.

2. Line Input:

• In contrast, the line input is intended for processing high-level line signals originating from sources like CD players.
• These signals don’t need amplification since they are already at a suitable level for your audio system.

By understanding these technicalities of the hi-fi set-up, you can connect cables to the receiver’s input correctly. If the signal coming from turntable is already amplified and we send it to the phono input of the receiver then these signals are further amplified and sound output will be distorted.

Conclusion

It is beneficial to know how about the technical terms associated with the vinyl records and hi-fi vinyl stereo setup.

For beginners, the difference between phono and line inputs and outputs can be confusing. However, by going into the explanation provided in this article, you can gain a clear understanding of phono and line and their significance.

This knowledge helps you to correctly establish connections between your turntable, preamps, and receiver, ensuring that your vinyl records play with clarity.

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