Phono Vs Line (Turntable or Record Player) – What’s The Difference

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The phono vs line signals is one of the most discussed topics in the vinyl world, mostly between beginners, but still, it is one of the most misunderstood topics.

I have seen many users complaining that their turntable is outputting no sound when they spin their record or the speakers output distorted sound which might also sound like the speakers are blown up or they are placed underwater.

In the vinyl world, it is one of the most common problems often faced by users who don’t understand the difference between phono and line signals.

Well, a deep understanding of phono-level and line-level signals is very critical for a perfect turntable setup, and through this article, we have tried our best to explain this complex topic in the easiest way possible.

So firstly, we have explained the difference between phono-level and line-level signals and after that, we have explained the role of the phono/line switch on the turntable and phono/line inputs on the amplifier, stereo receivers, and powered speakers.

Understanding Phono And Line Signals:

To understand this concept, you must know about the phono preamp, RIAA equalization curve, and how a turntable cartridge works and produces electric signals.

As you must have understood by reading the mentioned articles above, the phono cartridge generates electric signals by converting the vibrations sent by the stylus while running on record grooves, and these raw signals are known as phono signals.

These signals are weak and range from 0.0003V to 0.006V (depending on the turntable cartridge) with the RIAA equalization curve applied which means that the high frequencies get a 20dB boost and the low frequencies are suppressed by 20dB and this boosting and suppressing of frequencies is the reason why phono signals don’t have flat frequency curve.

On the other hand, the line-level signals are strong and are of 0.316V which doesn’t need amplification and reverse application of the RIAA equalization curve from phono preamp.

So, your turntable has generated the phono signals and the next step is to connect them to amplifiers or powered speakers.

Right?

But the question is how can we connect them directly? when we have discussed that phono signals range between 0.0003V to 0.006V and the line level input of amplifiers or active speakers accepts 0.316V of signals to amplify them further and make them hearable to human ears through speakers.

Well, this is where the need for a phono preamp comes in.

The phono preamp amplifies the phono signals by multiple x to make these weak phono signals reach strong line level signals (0.316V) and while amplification, it applies the RIAA equalization curve in reverse, i.e., it boosts the low frequencies by 20dB and suppresses the high frequencies by 20dB which gives us a flat frequency curve.

After this amplification of phono signals to line signals by phone preamp, the signals are ready to be transmitted to line-level input of stereo receivers, amplifiers, and active speakers.

So, this is the in-depth explanation of phono level and line level signals. Now, we are going to share the key difference between them.

Phono Vs Line Signals:

	Phono Signal	Line Signal
Definition	The signals generated by a turntable phono cartridge without any amplification by the phono preamp are known as phono level signals.	The signals after amplification and reverse RIAA equalization curve application by phono preamp are known as line level signals.
Signal strength	Weak	Strong
Output (in volts)	The output ranges between 0.0003V to 0.006V (depending on the cartridge and its variant).	The output is at a standardized level i.e. 0.316V.
Generated by	Turntable and record players only	CDs, Deck, mp3 players and other modern music devices
Phono preamp	Required	Not Required
Flat frequency curve	No	Yes
Direct connectivity to speakers or amplifiers	No. You must have a phono preamp in between phono signals and an amplifier or powered speakers.	Yes. You can directly transmit the signals to line level input of the receiver or powered speakers.

So, this is the difference between phono signals and line signals.

Let’s proceed further and understand the phono/line switch on turntables and its role.

What does the Phono/Line switch on the Turntable Mean and its Role:

In simple words, if you have a phono/line switch on your turntable then your turntable has a built-in phono stage and through this switch, you can enable or disable the built-in phono stage.

When switched to phono, the built-in phono preamp is disabled, and the turntable outputs phono level signals. Similarly, when you switch to the line, the built-in phono preamp is enabled, and the turntable outputs line level signals.

And one more important thing to understand is that you won’t find this switch on every turntable so if you don’t see a phono/line switch on your turntable then your unit doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp and the signals outputted by the turntable are phono-level signals which need further amplification by phono preamp before going into line level input of receiver or active speakers.

The phono means that the signals output by the turntable are in the pre-amplification stage which needs reverse application of the RIAA equalization curve and multiple x gains to reach the 0.316V accepted by receivers or powered speakers.

Now, let’s understand the difference.

Phono Vs Line Switch on Turntable:

	Phono	Line
Definition	Phono switch means that the signals output by the turntable are at the pre-amplification stage and a reverse RIAA equalization curve is not applied.	The line switch means that the signals output by the turntable are at the post-amplification stage and a reverse RIAA equalization curve is already applied.
Signal Strength	Weak	Strong
Output (In Volts)	The output ranges between 0.0003V to 0.006V (depending on the cartridge and its variant).	The output is at a standardized level i.e. 0.316V.
Phono Preamp	Required	Not Required
Flat Frequency Curve	No	Yes
Sound Quality	Better than line level signals	Good
Direct Connectivity to Speakers or Amplifiers	No. You must have a phono preamp in between phono signals and an amplifier or powered speakers.	Yes. You can directly transmit the signals to line level input of the receiver or powered speakers.

So, this is the brief difference between the phono and line switch on the turntable.

Now, let’s discuss these in detail.

What does Phono Mean on Turntable?

The phono switch means that your unit’s built-in phono stage is disabled and now, your turntable outputs phono signals.

As I told you before, you need to add a phono stage to your setup. It can be an external phono preamp, a built-in phono stage of the amplifier or stereo receivers, or even a built-in phono preamp of active speakers.

But before selecting the phono preamp, you must know that there is a limit to the amplification that can be done by a phono preamp.

Little confused?

Don’t worry, let me explain it.

Well, I haven’t explained one more important aspect before, i.e., not all phono signals are of the same volt.

Yes, you heard it right.

The voltage of the phono signal depends on the type of phono cartridge you are using.

To help you understand it better, let me share the overview of two most popular and commonly used cartridges in the turntable:

• Moving magnet cartridges (MM Cartridges)
• Moving coil cartridges (MC Cartridges)

Well, the working concept of both these cartridges is the same but these are engineered differently and due to this, the signals generated by them are of different volts.

Note: We have shared in-depth insights into turntable cartridges and explained their engineering with diagrams. I suggest you learn about these cartridges before proceeding further. I also recommend you understand the in-depth difference between MC and MM cartridges to understand the concept that I am explaining right now in a better way.

Hoping that you have understood the cartridges and their engineering, let’s discuss the output of both cartridges in volts and millivolts.

Moving Magnet Cartridge Output:

Type	MV	Volts
Standard	3-6 mV	0.003 V to 0.006 V

Moving Coil Cartridge Output:

Type	Millivolts (mV)	Volts (V)
Low-level MC	0.3 mV or less	0.0003 V or less
Medium Level MC	< 1.0 mV	< 0.001 V
High-level MC	more than 1.5 mV	0.0015 V

So, these are the volts that both cartridges output and these volts need to be amplified further.

Now, let’s talk about the amount of amplification these phono signals need to reach line level.

Phono Signals Must Be Amplified to:

The line inputs of an amplifier or powered speakers accept signals at 0.316 Volt or 316mV so a phono preamp amplifies these sound signals until they reach 0.316 Volt or 316mV which means multiple x gains.

So, the output of a moving coil cartridge needs much more amplification as compared to a moving magnet cartridge.

And, this is where the selection of a phono preamp comes in.

If you are using an MC cartridge then you need to select the phono preamp which is compatible with the MC cartridge but if you are using an MM cartridge, then you can select any phono preamp in the market. We have already covered the phono preamp compatibility with the phono cartridge so you can read it to understand this concept better.

So, this is all about the phono switch. Now, let’s talk about line switch.

What Does Line Mean on Turntable?

The line switch means the built-in phono preamp is enabled, and the turntable outputs line level signals. In simple words, the line switch means that the signals output by the turntable are at line stage i.e. 0.316V and these signals need no further amplification from the phono preamp.

So, we can simply connect the output to the line input of your receiver, powered or active speakers directly.

Now, let’s learn the difference between phono and line input on a receiver or amplifier.

Phono Vs Line Input on Stereo Receiver or Powered Speakers:

	Phono Input	Line Input
Definition	The phono input accepts pre-amplified signals from the turntable.	Line input accepts post-amplified signals from either turntable or external phono preamp
Signals (Volts) Accepted	The input expects signals ranging from 0.0003V to 0.006V (depending on the model).	The input expects signals at a standardized level i.e. 0.316V.
Gains	The amount of signal gain depends on the stereo receiver’s specifications (The in-depth explanation of gains is shared below).	No further gains
Phono Preamp	The input has a built-in phono preamp.	No

So, this is the brief difference between the phono and line input on the stereo receiver or powered amplifier.

Well, these signals are further amplified by the receiver to make them playable on speakers so now, let’s discuss these in detail.

What does Phono Input Mean on the Receiver or Powered Speakers?

The phono input on the receiver means that the receiver has a built-in phono preamp so you can directly transmit the phono signals from your turntable into this input.

The phono input plays three roles in the amplification:

1. Amplifies phono signals to line-level signals
2. Applies the RIAA equalization curve in reverse
3. Amplifies signals further to make them hearable on speakers.

All you need to do is take an RCA cable and transmit the phono output from the turntable to the phono input of the receiver.

You might also get a single auxiliary phono input where you need to use RCA to auxiliary cable.

For knowledge: If you find a receiver without phono input then the receiver doesn’t have an in-built phono preamp.

Gains Concept (Important):

Now, I am explaining the gains concept mentioned in the comparison table above.

Well, we have talked about cartridges in the article above that moving coil cartridge signals are much weaker than the signals output by moving magnet cartridges.

Thus, the signals of moving coil cartridges need more amplification as compared to moving magnet cartridges.

And, most of the receivers in the market only support moving magnet cartridges which means that if you transmit the output of a moving coil cartridge then the signals won’t get amplified at a level needed which can cause sound-related issues.

Thus, when you are using a moving coil cartridge with a receiver compatible with a moving magnet cartridge, you need to use a setup transformer or a head amp to first amplify the MC cartridge signals to the MM cartridge level and then you can transmit the signals to phono level input in the receiver.

Or, you can use a receiver compatible with a moving coil cartridge.

What does Line Input Mean on the Receiver or Powered Speakers?

The line input on the receiver accepts the post-amplified signals from the phono preamp. This input just amplifies the line signals further to make them hearable on the speakers.

But, if you try to transmit the phono stage signals to line input then you won’t be able to hear the music on your speakers or the volume will be very low.

So, this is all about phone and line signals, switches, and input.

Now, let’s understand the application of these in a turntable setup.

How to Use Phone/Line Signals, Switch, And Input in Turntable Setup

Well, we have explained everything in depth but that was all theory and concepts now, let’s talk about the practical usage of these signals, switches, and inputs in a real turntable setup.

I am sharing the different turntable setups that you have to follow according to your equipment’s specifications and achieve a perfect turntable setup.

Turntable with built-in phono stage: 

Setup 1: Turntable (line signals) -> Receiver/Amplifier -> Passive speakers

In this setup, your turntable has a built-in phone stage. So, enable your phone stage by switching the phono/line switch to the line and then, transmit the line signals from the turntable directly to the line input of the receiver and then the receiver’s output to speakers.

Setup 2: Turntable (line signals) -> Active or powered speakers

In this setup, your turntable has a built-in phone stage. So, enable your phone stage by switching the phono/line switch to the line and then, transmit the line signals from the turntable directly to the line input of the active or powered speakers.

Turntable without built-in phono stage: 

Setup 1: Turntable (phono signals) -> External phono preamp -> Receiver/Amplifier -> Passive speakers

In this setup, you have a turntable without a built-in phone stage so you can use an external phono preamp. After that, you can transmit the line level signals from the external phono preamp to the line input of the receiver and then the receiver’s output to the speakers.

Setup 2: Turntable (phono signals) -> Receiver or Amplifier with built-in phono preamp -> Passive speakers

In this setup, your turntable again doesn’t have a built-in phone stage and your receiver does. So, you need to transmit the phono signals from the turntable directly to the phono input of the receiver and then the receiver’s output to the speakers.

Setup 3: Turntable (phono signals) -> Active Speakers with built-in phono stage

In this setup, your turntable doesn’t have a built-in phone stage and your active or powered speakers do. So, you need to transmit the phono signals from the turntable directly to the phono input of your active or powered speakers.

So, these are the perfect turntable setups that you can achieve by using the exact placement and usage of signals, switches, and input terminals of your equipment. And with this explanation, all your questions- “Do I set my turntable to phono or line“, “Phono or line for powered speakers” and “Phono or line for Bluetooth” are answered. But, if you have any doubts then I am here to help you out with anything. Just drop a comment below and I will get back to you.

Well, there is one more thing that I would like to cover, many people often ask me whether their Audio Technica turntables, fluance turntables, pro-ject turntables, and other brands should be on phono or line.

The answer is that no matter which turntable you are using or which brand it is, the fundamentals are the same, i.e., you must make adjustments according to the turntable setup and we have already covered all possible turntable setups above.

Now, you might be thinking that it’s the end of the article but actually, there is still a topic left to cover i.e. does a phono sound better than a line?

Well, I know it has become a very long article but trust me, after reading this article alone, you won’t have any further questions related to phono and line concepts ever in your life.

So, let’s proceed.

Phono vs Line Sound Quality – Which one is better?

According to my tests with different turntable setups, i.e., using an internal phono preamp, an external phono preamp, or the receiver’s phono input, I concluded that the phono signals transmitted through a good quality external phono preamp always output better and more detailed sound quality as compared to a turntable with a built-in phono stage.

Even if you use the receiver’s phono input, you will experience a far better sound quality from a setup using the turntable’s built-in phono preamp.

Well, the difference is not so much to be noticed by normal listeners but if you have trained ears like music producers, audiophiles, or sound engineers then you will notice the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1- Does a phono sound better than a line?

According to my tests with different turntables, I concluded that the phono signals used with a good quality external phono preamp always output better and more detailed sound quality as compared to a turntable with a built-in phono stage.

Q2- Why does phono input sound bad?

The phono input sounds bad when the signals are over-amplified.

The over-amplification of phono signals happens in two ways:

1. Transmitting line-level signals to the external phono preamp or phono input of the receiver.
2. Using MM cartridge output on MC cartridge input on external phono preamp or receiver.

Case 1:

Let’s say you have an Audio Technica that has an inbuilt phono preamp.

Now, while setting up the turntable, you have engaged the in-built phono preamp by switching the “PHONO/LINE” switch to the line, and after that, you transmit these signals to either the external phono preamp or the phono input of the receiver, which causes the phono signals to be amplified twice, i.e., first by the in-built phono preamp and secondly by the external phono preamp or the receiver’s in-built phono preamp.

In this case, you will hear bad sound from the speakers.

Solution:

Your phono signals should be amplified only once. You can do that using an in-built phono preamp, an external phono preamp, or the phono input of the receiver. You must make sure that the phono signals are not amplified twice.

Case 2:

We have shared an in-depth explanation of the cartridge’s output and gains concept in the article above, and I recommend you re-read it again to understand it properly.

Taking that into consideration, the moving coil cartridge signals are much weaker than the moving magnet cartridge signals, and accordingly, the MC cartridge needs much more amplification as compared to MM cartridges.

So, if you transmit the MM/moving magnet cartridge signals to the phono input for the MC cartridge, then your MM cartridge signals will be amplified more than the requirements, which results in over-amplification, and you will hear weird sounds coming from your speakers.

Solution:

The signals from the MM cartridge must be transmitted to the phono input compatible with the MM cartridge, and similarly, the MC cartridge signals must be transmitted to the phono input compatible with the MC cartridge.

Q3- Does phono mean AUX?

No, phono doesn’t mean AUX. Both phono input and AUX input perform different functions.

The phono input has an in-built phono preamp, which will first amplify phono signals to line-level signals while applying the reverse of the RIAA equalization curve, and after that, these line-level signals are further amplified by the amplifier to make them hearable on the speakers.

On the other hand, the AUX line doesn’t have an in-built phono preamp, and it accepts line-level signals. Its only function is to amplify the line-level signals to make them hearable on the speakers.

I have explained the whole concept of phono vs line in-depth. If you still have any kind of query then feel free to comment below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.