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Why using line stage........

Posted by bouncy ball (A) on October 2, 2003 at 08:54:24

Sorry I know this topic has been discussed since Adam and Eva era. I have a basic question:

My set-up is phono directly to passive, then power amp. I am using step-up transformer for my denon. It sounds good but not much of "drive" or dynamic.

I had tried my friend's line stage, even though it only provides about 10 db gain, it sounds completely different. Much better dynamic.

I then went back to my system, I changed the step-up setting for extra 6 db, still using passive. Sound about same, played louder but not much of improvement in dynamic.

I also used a higher output cart, on paper, it allowed me compensate the gain difference when compared to the line stage. A bit better, but still different from having line stage on signal path.

Why line stage or preamp's fraction of gain makes such a different?

Would it be just as simple as correcting the input and output impedance mismatching or else?

Please educate me.

Thanks

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