leftside
AK Member
I obtained a Blue Circle BC23 Level 2 phono preamp a couple of weeks ago. I thought I'd give it a try instead of a step-up-transformer and the C34V phono input.
The results from below are with no music playing.
1) With the SUT/C34V phono combo I could hear a definite hiss and hum when turning the volume knob halfway. A couple of clicks past halfway and the meters on the 2155 would start to move. This never really bothered me because even at just less than halfway the sound was very loud in my small upstairs room.
2) With the BC23/C34V line input combo I now have absolutely zero hum. There is still a slight hiss, but I have to turn the volume knob quite far. The meters on the 2155 start to move at near max volume.
I couldn't notice any difference in sound quality between 1) and 2), but 2) was much quieter. I'm keeping 2
With the CD input there is 0 hiss or hum. Quite remarkable for such an old unit.
The results from below are with no music playing.
1) With the SUT/C34V phono combo I could hear a definite hiss and hum when turning the volume knob halfway. A couple of clicks past halfway and the meters on the 2155 would start to move. This never really bothered me because even at just less than halfway the sound was very loud in my small upstairs room.
2) With the BC23/C34V line input combo I now have absolutely zero hum. There is still a slight hiss, but I have to turn the volume knob quite far. The meters on the 2155 start to move at near max volume.
I couldn't notice any difference in sound quality between 1) and 2), but 2) was much quieter. I'm keeping 2
With the CD input there is 0 hiss or hum. Quite remarkable for such an old unit.