How to connect an Aiwa PX-E550 TT to a Denon PMA510AE integrated amp

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trittya

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Requesting for kind indulgence and expert advice by Vinyl Gurus here. I am doing this on behalf of a dear friend, Yaser Khan who shall be joining the forum shortly, if not already so done.

Can someone please advise on how to connect an Aiwa px-e550 turn-table to a Denon PMA510ae integrated amp. The Aiwa is fitted with an Audiotechnica ceramic cartridge and the Denon has an inbuilt phono stage. I do believe that the sound is very faint.

Is he doing something wrong or is he missing out on something important altogether ie does a ceramic cartridge need a different phonostage than the inbuilt one?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Regards
Trittya
(The 3rd peg)
 
The Denon PMA510ae has a built-in MM phono stage. Input sensitivity is about 2.5mv/47K (from its spec sheet). Assuming you are sure that the Aiwa TT has a ceramic cartridge, if all was well, the ceramic cartridge would have over-loaded the Denon's MM input and you would have got a highly distorted sound at relatively higher volume. However, you observation is the converse wherein the sound is very faint (again assuming that you are referring to the sound coming from the speakers and not from the TT itself). It is evident that you may have an open circuit in relation to the wiring from the cartridge to the amp or the cart itself may be faulty. You have not mentioned if any hum or noise is heard together with the faint music. If your cart and wiring is all right and assuming that it is a ceramic cartridge, you should be connecting it to the "Line" input which has an input impedence/sensitivity of around 100mv/47k with Source direct off and 100mv/16k with Source direct on (source direct is nothing but tone defeat). Please note that the "Line" input on the Denon amp is equivalent to the Auxillary (Aux) input usually found on integrateds and hence won't offer you RIAA equalization for vinyl reproduction. Hence if you play your ceramic through the line input, you'll get some poor quality sound, anyways. Ceramic cartridges usually have specific phonostages too. My suggestion would be to scrap the ceramic cartridge and get a MM one. That will match the amp's phonostage and will also give your friend greater listening pleasure. Thanks.

It would be helpful if you can share the model number of the cart (if it is visible).

trittya said:
Requesting for kind indulgence and expert advice by Vinyl Gurus here. I am doing this on behalf of a dear friend, Yaser Khan who shall be joining the forum shortly, if not already so done.

Can someone please advise on how to connect an Aiwa px-e550 turn-table to a Denon PMA510ae integrated amp. The Aiwa is fitted with an Audiotechnica ceramic cartridge and the Denon has an inbuilt phono stage. I do believe that the sound is very faint.

Is he doing something wrong or is he missing out on something important altogether ie does a ceramic cartridge need a different phonostage than the inbuilt one?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Regards
Trittya
(The 3rd peg)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
reubensm said:
The Denon PMA510ae has a built-in MM phono stage. Input sensitivity is about 2.5mv/47K (from its spec sheet). Assuming you are sure that the Aiwa TT has a ceramic cartridge, if all was well, the ceramic cartridge would have over-loaded the Denon's MM input and you would have got a highly distorted sound at relatively higher volume. However, you observation is the converse wherein the sound is very faint (again assuming that you are referring to the sound coming from the speakers and not from the TT itself). It is evident that you may have an open circuit in relation to the wiring from the cartridge to the amp or the cart itself may be faulty. You have not mentioned if any hum or noise is heard together with the faint music. If your cart and wiring is all right and assuming that it is a ceramic cartridge, you should be connecting it to the "Line" input which has an input impedence/sensitivity of around 100mv/47k with Source direct off and 100mv/16k with Source direct on (source direct is nothing but tone defeat). My suggestion would be to scrap the ceramic cartridge and get a MM one. That will match the amp's phonostage and will also give your friend greater listening pleasure. Thanks.
Click to expand...

@FM Reubensm
Thanks a lot for the advice and even more so for the prompt response. Yes, He did mention that it sounded "ok" through the phono input. I forgot to mention that, my bad. I guess thats the reason, then. Cant say much else about the sound as the system is about 250 km away from where I am. I spoke to him 1/2 an hour ago and he confirmed having joined the forum. I guess his profile must be pending mod clearance. He ought to be around sooner than later to chip in, in detail.

Regards
 
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hi trritya ,

thanks for introducing me to this wonderful forum, and thanks reubensm for your suggestion, what i told trittya that on the "line in" the sound appears to be too thin, however it is full and deep on "phono" but a little high than normal, suggest how to change from ceramic to mm cartridge. thanks again
 
Hiya Yaser Bhai
Welcome to HFV, have a great time here.

yaser khan said:
hi trittya ,

thanks for introducing me to this wonderful forum, and thanks reubensm for your suggestion, what i told trittya that on the "line in" the sound appears to be too thin, however it is full and deep on "phono" but a little high than normal, suggest how to change from ceramic to mm cartridge. thanks again
Click to expand...

Oops, goofed it again, Mate.
Sorry about that.
That post stands edited now . . .
 
Last edited:
diy.custom.hifi
 
yaser khan said:
thanks sachu888, so advise me what to do ??? how can i change to mm, or get better sound from the ceramic... thanking in anticipation
Click to expand...

Hi,
You will need to buy a TT which supports to MM carts.You can find some vintage TTs in used market in Rs 6000-10000 price.They will perform better.You can contact FM Hemantwaghe regarding this.He also stays in Mumbai.
Don't waste your money on this TT as it will not perform any better than this.Ceramic cart tracks 3grams and above and this could permanently damage your precious records.

Regards,
Sachin
 
Don't think you are getting it right. Connecting a ceremic pickup to a phono stage compatible with moving magnet cartridges will not give you good results. You need a phonostage which can support ceramic cartridges. Unfortunately the only place where you can find these are on some vintage amps (nobody uses ceramic cartridges these days) or you'll have to build one for yourself. I dont think there are any commercially manufactured ceramic phonostages around in the market at this point.

I strongly reccomend that you read the info on this FAQ page: FAQ

If you are interested in making one, here are a few simple circuits: Phono Preamp for Creamic Cartridge - diyAudio

and yes, your denon phonostage may go out if you over load it with your ceramic cartridge. Also the behringer phono preamp which you were considering is for Moving Magnet cartridges and cannot be used with ceramic cartridges.
 
thank you all my friends, i replaced the audiotechnica ceramic with an Aiwa MM cartridge and the sound now ia amazing, so good that i am avoiding to listen to my CD player, its only vinly time at my place... thanks all vinly gurus for valuable advise
 
Hello Yaser,

Good to know that you were able to get a MM cart to your old TT. How did you manage to put in place of a ceramic cart? Any special mods?

Regarding the Technics SL-D20 TT, a semi-automatic, specs wise it a decent TT but its a P-mount cartridge & not a standard mount. So you will have some limitations when looking for new cartridges & upgrades. But on the flipper side, P-mounts are easier to set up and replacements match the arm easily. So its your call now if you are satisfied with the P-mount & will be in future too (not discouraging you). However, good P-mount carts. are always available.
The price of the TT will greatly depend on the current cart. & stylus fitted plus cosmetic condition and of course the functionality, and the auto-return feature. If all is fairly well, the price should be b/w 6-7K...so just a wee bit higher is 7500/-.

Regards,
Saket
 
The SL D20 was one of Technics entry-level straight arm direct drive turntables (semi-automatic) which was later replaced in production by the SL BD20 series. While the SL-D series were direct drives, the SL-BD series were belt drives. However the tone arm and standard cartridge we similar on both models.

The Technics SLBD20B was my second table (purchased new in the United States) with the same tonearm and p-mount cartridge. It played generally well but would exhibit inner groove distortion to a great extent, especially on stereo LPs with finer grooves. The sound was very average, primarily due to the poor quality standard cartridge supplied by Technics. I happily handed over this TT to my brother who still has it in use. Meanwhile, we replaced with Technics cart with an Audio Technics AT90 p-mount cart (I had one as a spare which I got with my previous Teac P988 TT). I'd say, the sound from that Audio Technica AT90 cartridge was amazing for the price and it sounded great through his NAD 3020A. I say, this is the best p-mount cartridge i've ever heard and the funny part is that it cost only a few dollars in the US (think it is available off the shelf for about 9 or 10 USD). The inner groove tracking issues disappeared with the AT90. However the disclaimer is that the SLBD20B did not have an adjustable tonearm (tracking weight and anti-skate). I personally suggest that you buy Technics TTs with the Technics S-arm. You cant go wrong with these.

The Technics SLBD20B cost $125 (purchased new from Amazon.com) back in 2007, hence Rs.7500/- for SL D20 is a bit high for sure.
 
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I should like to correct some of the comments made about the Aiwa PXE550

It is, in fact, fitted with an Audio Technica AN3600 Moving Magnet cartridge
and the deck itself contains the necessary RIAA pre-amplifier in the form of a
single stereo in-line pre-amp chip. it also has speed adjustment for both 33 and 45 rpm accessible through holes in the base. If one removes the stylus assembly one can clearly see the rod magnets glued to the rear of the cantilever at 45deg.
There are even up-grades to the stylus assembly in the form of a 0.6 conical diamond, an elliptical available as 1-2.5 grm or 3+ grm tracking versions and even a shibata style !! although it would be insane to use that on this deck.
The deck should be compatible with any 47-100k ,100mv amplifier input.
;)
 
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