Phonoforstærkere

Phonoforstærkere, often referred to as phono preamplifiers or phono stages, are specialized electronic devices designed to amplify the extremely weak signal produced by a phono cartridge on a turntable. A phono cartridge, which converts the physical vibrations of a stylus tracking a record groove into an electrical signal, generates a signal that is far too low in voltage to be directly processed by a standard line-level audio amplifier or receiver. The phonoforstærker bridges this gap by boosting the cartridge's output to a usable level.

Beyond simple amplification, phonoforstærkere also perform a crucial function known as RIAA equalization. Vinyl records are cut with a specific frequency response curve, the RIAA curve, which attenuates bass frequencies and boosts treble frequencies during the cutting process. This is done to reduce groove distortion and allow for longer playing times. The phonoforstærker reverses this equalization, boosting the bass and attenuating the treble to restore the original intended frequency balance of the music. Without this equalization, music played from vinyl would sound thin and tinny.

Phonoforstærkere can be found as built-in components within some turntables or AV receivers, or as separate, dedicated external units. External phonoforstærkere are often preferred by audiophiles as they allow for greater flexibility in system matching and can offer superior performance due to dedicated circuitry and power supplies. The quality of a phonoforstærker can significantly impact the overall sound quality of a vinyl playback system.