Need help with audio setup please

[animalwithin]

Gents, I splurged on my first audio system after dreaming about it for years and now I'm in need of some assistance with respect to how to connect it all together.

-Speakers: a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
-Turntable: Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon
-Amplifier: Cayin MT-45MK3

I think I still need a phono stage to connect all of this together? What is the signal chain? Turntable -> phono -> amp -> speakers?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Yes. Your integrated amplifier only has line inputs. The turntable doesn't appear to have a built in phono stage, so a phono preamplifier is required. The ART DJ Pre II measures OK.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

If you go to the reviews section here, click on the "Audio Electronics" link, then enter "Phono" into the search box, you can find which phono preamplifiers have been reviewed on ASR. If you click on the tab for "Recommended", you will get a simple list of recommended phono preamplifiers.

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

The best criteria to look for are accurate adherence to the RIAA equalisation times, low noise and good overload margin. I own the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo which I think works well.

 

[Chazz6]

A TCC TC-750 (https://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750pp.html) phono preamp will feed your amplifier just fine.

 

[animalwithin]

Thank you all for the replies!

 

[AnalogSteph]

A TCC TC-750 (https://www.phonopreamps.com/tc750pp.html) phono preamp will feed your amplifier just fine.

Ah, the trusty TC-750 in all its 3-transistor glory with ceramic capacitors in the RIAA and 34ish dB gain. I'm not saying it's not going to get the job done, but asking for a decent opamp and some film capacitors doesn't feel like demanding the impossible in this day and age...

 

[kemmler3D]

FWIW I have the Schiit Mani 2 and it sounds great to my ear.