Thoughts on how to improve sound quality from Project turntable through Amp.

Just a couple of points to check: you’ve tagged the post with Project T1 Phono SB - is it fair to assume that you have that exact model? And can you confirm that you have a Moving Magnet cartridge fitted (e.g. the standard Ortofon OM5E)?

Hi - it is the T1 Phono Sb as supplied by Sonos and comes with whichever cartridge they supplied it with.

What are you thinking?

It’s Ok - I wanted to check, because there is no way to know exactly what the setup is. Some people might try to use a MC cartridge with an MM phono stage (as fitted to the Phono SB) and get too little volume - but if it’s the standard MM cart, that won’t apply to you.

And others might try to connect a phono cart direct to a Line In and get really bad sound - but that obviously doesn’t apply to you!

Many people like vinyl because it involves them more in the listening experience - translate that to mean more tinkering, which is why digital audio was invented as a more foolproof way to better sound.

With vinyl it starts with whether the cartridge is properly aligned so that when the needle is in the groove it rests there in the orientation needed to give best results. Google for more on this. 

I would not go towards an upgrade till you first get sound that is not too distant in quality from what you get from streaming services, from existing kit, playing new vinyl.

With the correct preamp for the cartridge in use, sound levels with the line in on the Sonos amp set at 9, should approximate what you get when you play streamed music, for the same volume setting on the Sonos Amp. 

Hi

@Kumar is correct in his advice. You also need to consider tracking force.

A simple device such as this can help. Proper use dictates that you follow the manufacturer recommended setup for your turntable and then employ the tracking gauge to dial it in.

Setting the Source Level too high can be just as bad as setting it too low. An easy “old school” way to arrive at the best adjustment without gauges and formulas based upon cartridge characteristics is this:

• Requires a quiet environment (much like using Trueplay)
• Set the source level to 10
• Turn on your turn table and play an album for a two or three minutes
• Without stopping play raise the tone arm
• After 30 seconds or so listen for audio hum
• Reduce the source level until the hum is disaapated to your ear
• If you have canine ears...then just ignore all the above 😂

You might also just the crossover point if using a sub. Turing on loudness in the EQ may help as well.

One more key factor is the type of cable used to connect the speakers to the Amp. Most will argue that any speaker cable will do. I disagree. Features such as external shielding, are the strands Oxygen Free (OF), twisted into one strand or individually shielded through the run up to connection points and quality of the connection points to the Amp and the Speakers. I use Morrow Audio cables...they’re not cheap; but not exceeding expensive. *

Regardless of everything I’ve just said...at the end of the day only you can determine what sounds accurate to your ear. 

 * I have no connection to; nor vested interest in Morrow Audio. After trial an error I found their product to be the best in terms of price point and value received.

Personally I’d start by verifying the pre-amp is working properly, your issues really sound related to that function.

If you have any other device with a Phono input switch out the turntable’s preamp and try it connected there. If it sounds good move the connection from the Phono input to a CD or other line-in connection and switch on the turntable’s preamp and compare the sound.