Turntable hookup to AUX or CD (no Phono input) only producing very weak sound, even at full volume

If the unspecified Sony has a "PHONO" input you should be good to go. What model?

"PHONO" is the only designated connection on an audio device that is literal and exclusive. Nothing but PHONO will work right on it and old-school turntables would require it to preamplify and frequency-correct the tiny current produced by a Phono cartridge. Look up RIAA equalization.

If your unit doesn't have a PHONO connection AND your TT doesn't have a self-contained preamp you will have to get a Phono Preamp to connect between the TT and any Line Level input, like Aux.

eBay always has some...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1311&_nkw=phono+preamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=phono+preamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Yeah, phono a preamp.

"PHONO" is the only designated connection on an audio device that is literal and exclusive. Nothing but PHONO will work right on it and old-school turntables would require it to preamplify the tiny current produced by a Phono cartridge.

If your unit doesn't have a PHONO connection AND your TT doesn't have a self-contained preamp you will have to get a Phono Preamp to connect between the TT and any Line Level input, like Aux.

eBay always has some...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1311&_nkw=phono+preamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Not knowing the electronics I'd imagine a close listen would reveal it's actually tinny as well as quiet. You probably need a Phono Preamp (Google it).

"PHONO" is the only designated connection on an audio device that is literal and exclusive. Nothing but PHONO will work right on it and old-school turntables would require it to preamplify the tiny current produced by a Phono cartridge.

If your unit doesn't have a PHONO connection AND your TT doesn't have a self-contained preamp you will have to get a Phono Preamp to connect between the TT and any Line Level input, like Aux.

eBay always has some...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1311&_nkw=phono+preamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=phono+preamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Just look around the web for a "Magnetic Cartridge Preamp".
You plug your turntable into this and the preamp in an aux socket of Surround Amp and the sound will be the same level as the other devices.

Is this a new problem or sudden onset of a problem?

If the former, your turntable requires a Phono Preamp either in a receiver, integrated amp or as a stand-alone unit, to PRE-amplify and RIAA-equalize the tiny voltage signal produced by the phono cartridge. It will not work on any Line Level input like Aux or CD. What you will hear is a useless, barely audible, tinny playback.

You don't mention the electronic side of this scenario. My guess is it doesn't have a Phono connector. Most modern AV Receivers have forsaken turntable support as so few of us use them anymore.

There are many stand-alone phono preamps available for this purpose. Google it and check eBay.

The AT-PL120 uses a magnetic cartridge to extract a music signal from the record. Magnetic cartridges all put out a very weak electric signal, and so their output must be strengthened, or amplified, to where it is as strong as the input from, say, a CD player. This amplification is provided by a pre-amp. If your receiver has dedicated "phono" inputs the pre-amp circuits are already in the receiver. If you do not have dedicated phono inputs you must either buy a pre-amp, or buy a magnetic cartridge turntable with a pre-amp built into itself. The AT-PL120 has a built in pre-amp. You can switch the AT-PL120's preamp on or off. The switch is located under the platter at the back side of the turntable. Take the platter mat off and turn one of the platter's holes to the back and you should see the switch through the hole. If you push the switch to LINE OUT the preamp is turned on and the turntable sends an amplified cartridge signal out the cables which MUST be connected to a receiver inout suitable for a CD player (a "high level" input). If you push the pre-amp selector switch to PHONO OUT the turntable sends the weak unstrengthened cartridge signal out the cables which MUST be connected to the receiver's dedicated PHONO inputs so the signal can be amplified with the receiver's own pre-amp circuits.

If everything is set wrong (i.e. LINE OUT (pre-amp on), and connected to phono inputs) you are applying two steps of strengthening to the turntable's signal which is too much. The resultant sound will be garbled. Try not to do this!

The other way to do everything wrong is set the pre-amp switch to PHONO OUT (pre-amp off) and connect the turntable's cables to a high level input. If this happens the turntable signal receives no amplification and the resultant sound will be thin and weak.

Turntables do not produce "line level" audio which is what is required for input into the AUX on the receiver. If you do not have a phono input on the receiver, you must purchase a phono pre-amp. These are readily available for about $20. This will boost the output of the turntable to line level so you can use the AUX input on your receiver. That will resolve the problem.

Dan

Please let me know how your turntable is connected to the music system. I mean, to which input ? (Tape/Aux/Phono/VCR/CD) ?

You have to make sure your unit is connected to the PHONO INPUT connection on your receiver. If your receiver does not have a PHONO INPUT connection, then you will need to buy what's called a PHONO PRE-AMP - AVAILABLE HERE.

You connect the turntable to the Phono Pre-Amp, then you connect the Pre-Amp to the LINE IN or AUX IN of your receiver.

- Davis.
DIGITAL ANALOG THERAPY
www.repairnyc.com

Make sure your receiver has a PHONO input. If you are connecting it to a LINE or AUX input, then there is not enough signal to boost the sound coming from the turntable. Turntables require a PHONO input, because phono input's have a pre-amp on them, which boost the turntable signal. If you do not have a PHONO input on your receiver, you will need to buy a Phono Pre-Amp.

If you have a phono input, then you might have an issue with the turntable's RCA cables, or your cartridge may be at fault.

- TWEAK AV LAV