Do I need Phono preamp for Pioneer vsx 919AH-K?

[cosmic109]

I'm a rejuvinated audiophile from the 70's and I've just recently upgrade my old sony Strg D3 receiver that is basically an analog based switcher, but it does have a built in phono preamp that I have my Rega Planar 2 connected to.

I'm confused as to whether my new Pioneer 919AHk actually has a built in phono preamp, or will I have to buy an external unit in order to hook up my Rega?

Thanks
cosmic109

[MrBoylan]

I'm a rejuvinated audiophile from the 70's and I've just recently upgrade my old sony Strg D3 receiver that is basically an analog based switcher, but it does have a built in phono preamp that I have my Rega Planar 2 connected to.

I'm confused as to whether my new Pioneer 919AHk actually has a built in phono preamp, or will I have to buy an external unit in order to hook up my Rega?

Thanks
cosmic109

Most entry-lvel to midrange home theater receivers, including the Pioneer VSX-919, lack buiilt-in phono preamps these days, so the answer is no, you cannot hook your turntable up directly. You could use the Sony receiver as a preamp by hooking up the Rega to its phono input and attaching the Sony's tape monitor OUTPUT to any line input on the Pioneer receiver. But that's a little klugey and inelegant.

Better to buy an outboard phono preamp and put this between the turntable and receiver. Here's an inexpensive one ($43.50) that gets decent reviews from owners:

TCC TC-750 Audiophile Phono Preamp

Certainly as good or better than the one built into the Sony. There are others available for more money, but only you can decide how much you want to invest in this area.

Regards,

-Chris