Thanks for the update Phil,
I recently purchased a small pre-amp online and now I'm at least getting some decent volume readings. The more I dig into this, the more knowledgable I become. The pre-amp if "I am not mistaken", only takes magnetic cartridge voltage ( 5.0 mv), and boosts it up to line level. I don't think there is any other tone adjustments involved. So basically I'm saying that a new reciever with phono inputs isn't really necessary. I bought the pre-amp for $19.99.
Thanks again,
Bill