Nac 82 Phono problem

Posted by: mikeybaby on 15 August 2017

My friend has an 82 that has very low volume when playing vinyl. The phono boards are 526/1s. Hes not happy at all since he has hundreds of albums. I know nothing about phono. What does he need to be able to hear music? Thanks

Posted on: 15 August 2017 by Mulberry

Hi,

as far as I know, the 526 boards a line-level ones, which means they are meant to be used with CD-Players, external Phonostages etc. Your friend has to get either the 523 boards, if he is using a MC (moving coil) cartridge, the appropriate 522 MM boards if he has a moving magnet cartridge or an external phono stage. All of these will have adequate gain and provide the necessary RIAA equalisation.

Posted on: 15 August 2017 by Richard Dane

NA526 boards are indeed line level boards - i.e. his NAC82 does not currently have an onboard phono stage, which would apply appropriate EQ and amplification to whatever cartridge he is running. The result would be very quiet, a bit tinny with no bass.

As Mulberry says above, he will need to replace the NA526 boards with NA522 boards for a MM cartridge or HO MC. Or else NA523 boards for a LO MC, either K or S type. There are also fairly rare NA523R or NA523E boards for medium output MC cartridges.

What cartridge is your friend running on his turntable?