What is RIAA Equalisation?
Because of limitations in the LP recording process, an equalization curve must be applied to the music or other sonic content prior to it being cut onto Vinyl, so as to reduce background noise and sibilance. Reversing this equalization effect (the RIAA curve) and restoring the music’s original frequency response curve during playback is a VITAL part of the phono preamp’s job and differentiates it from other preamps used for microphones and musical instruments, which usually provide gain but no other modification of the original sound quality. Proper RIAA re-equalization during playback is a must in faithfully producing the original musical content without coloration or distortion.
