I don't know what your Counterpoint SA-9 IS, but in general, why not go as directly as possible into your tape recorder, see what it sounds like, and then decide whether to use more amplification? I've taped straight from a phono preamp and it has worked fine, and of course damages the signal less than passing it through more circuitry. Simplest is best if you can get away with it. You'll have input volume control on your tape deck, won't you?
Help I am in need of Expertise
Hello there Audiogoners, I am in need of some expertise. I will soon be purchasing a Reel-to-Reel in order to transfer and archive some of my LPs. I typically listen to vinyl and will continue to do so. I am using a Counterpoint SA-9 for this purpose so this will not come into play. My line stage is the Counterpoint SA-11. My question is what FEATURES or SPECIFICATIONS should I be looking for in the "tape source" section of a LINE STAGE? I know what questions to ask, lets say, if I were to be installing a DIGITAL source but what about an analog source reel-to-reel? Would my "older" SA-11 suffice just fine? Any help would be very much appreciated as I enter this "unknown" territory.