Customer Reviews

Memorex Stereo Pre-Amplifier (MX-SP2)

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For those that aren't aware, the signal from a phonograph needs to be boosted by a "pre-amplifier" before it is sent to an "amplifier" which then sends the sound to your speakers. Some phonographs (especially newer ones) come with a pre-amp built-in, but others (especially older ones) do not. So if you hook it up directly to an amplifier, the sound is very weak and even if you turn up the volume, it does not sound right... it seems very tiny and scratchy. Older amplifiers like mine (or newer ones that have taken the effort/cost to add it) have the pre-amp built-in to the amplifier, usually labeled "phono input" instead of "AUX", "CD", "Tape", etc. But since most newer amps don't have this feature, that's where an external "pre-amp" like this one come in handy. (NOTE: Just make sure your phono doesn't already have a pre-amp built-in. if you aren't sure, it probably doesn't have it, but a simple test is to hook it up and listen to the sound)

I recently upgraded my stereo system to a nice surround sound package and the new system did not come with a phono input. You plug the RCA cables from the phono into the box and then from the box to your amplifier, and now it sounds the way it is supposed to. It comes with an AC adapter, so you don't have to worry about batteries as in some other models of this type. I do not notice a difference in sound compared to my old system other than the fact of it coming out of more speakers.

Another application that I have used this is for converting my records to CD. I use this same pre-amp to connect to my sound card of my computer. This gives me the advantage of using software to remove those "clicks" and "hisses" and once they are on CD, I can play them anywhere. I've already converted two albums and plan on converting my entire collection...

I needed one of these to enable me to record my album collection into my computer. I spent an evening setting it up and testing it out and it worked GREAT! The albums I did for a friend sound incredible, according to him. I can see myself having a long and loving relationship with this pre-amp.