A phono preamp, or phono stage, is an electronic device that amplifies the weak signal from a turntable before it reaches a stereo receiver or amplifier. This is essential because the output from a turntable's cartridge is much lower than that of other audio sources, requiring additional amplification to achieve a proper listening level. In addition to boosting the signal, phono preamps also apply equalization to correct the sound. This equalization compensates for the RIAA curve, which is a standard used in vinyl records to ensure accurate playback. Without a phono preamp, the sound from a turntable would be quiet and distorted.