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samoore
Contributor I
January 4, 2021
Answered

Audio Technica AT-LP120X Turntable connected to Sonos Five Line-In sounds tinny

I have a Sonos 5 connected to an Audio Technica AT-LP120X turntable with built-in pre-amp.  The sound quality is horrible, what can I try to do to improve it?

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    ratty
    rattyAnswer
    January 7, 2021

    I have to say I think you’re rather clutching at straws. Tinkering with tracking weight and cables is a distraction. If a cable was faulty it's highly unlikely the fault would hit both channels.

    A tinny, weak sound is characteristic of a phono preamp not doing its job to apply boost and RIAA equalization. 

    Find another source and test the Five’s Line-In to make sure that’s okay. A headphone outlet from a phone would do.

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    samooreAuthor
    Contributor I
    January 7, 2021

    Tried redoing the tonearm weight and cartridge alignment and no improvement. Still sounds like a tin can. Waiting for a new cable to see if that improves things. 

    ratty
    rattyAnswer
    January 7, 2021

    I have to say I think you’re rather clutching at straws. Tinkering with tracking weight and cables is a distraction. If a cable was faulty it's highly unlikely the fault would hit both channels.

    A tinny, weak sound is characteristic of a phono preamp not doing its job to apply boost and RIAA equalization. 

    Find another source and test the Five’s Line-In to make sure that’s okay. A headphone outlet from a phone would do.

      John B
      January 7, 2021

      It has to be the pre-amp.  The OP has still not confirmed that the switch on the turntable is set to provide a line level input to the Five’s line in.

        ratty
        ratty
        January 7, 2021

        It has to be the pre-amp. 

        My thoughts too. I was just encouraging a bit of Troubleshooting 101.

          John B
          January 7, 2021

          It has to be the pre-amp. 

          My thoughts too. I was just encouraging a bit of Troubleshooting 101.

          I wouldn’t disagree at all - definitely a worthwhile check

          samooreAuthor
          Contributor I
          February 10, 2021

          Just realized I left this open. I ended up getting another speaker (different brand) with same turntable and it works perfectly. I had hoped to have the turntable in my Sonos system so it could play throughout the house, but this solution is better than none. Thanks for all the help troubleshooting. 

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