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Cartridge advice Classic I from BRAZIL

Hello guys!

I`m from Brazil but currently am in the USA, doing part of my Ph.D. at University of Florida. Luckily I have just bought a used VPI Classic Ion ebay, which I`m taking to Brazil when I finish my study here. It has already arrived in my house and it`s overall condition is better than I expected. I`m very happy and anxious to set it up on my system.

My doubt is what cartridge to buy now. My budget is not much (U$ 3-500), since I`ve spent a lot with the TT. I`m also considering buying a used cartridge, if a good deal show up. I listen mostly to Classic Rock, Jazz, Classical, Acoustics.

The rest of my system is:

Pre: Conrad Johnson Premier 3
Power: CJ MV55
Speakers: Sound Dynamics 300 Ti

About my pre, I also have a question: On CJ web site (http://www.conradjohnson.com/It_just_sounds_right/a-pr3.html) it says that the gain of the phono stage is 40 dB and the gain of the line stage is 28 dB. So the total gain when I use the phono input of this pre is 68 dB? It`s kind of high for an all tube pre, isn`t it? What`s the minimum cartridge output I can use, with that in mind?

I aprecciate any response that will help me.
pedrod45

Showing 3 responses by macster

macster
64 posts
 
Shure M97XE $90.00 and a Jico SAS $170.00 and keep the rest of the money for school. I use one on my Aries 3/Classic 3 tonearm and will probably have to spend over $1000.00 usd to better it in my system. (Also CJ based.) On my other tonearm (Classic 1) I have a Goldring GL2500. I also have a Soundsmith Carmen, Dynavector DV10X5, Shure V15V/MR etc etc.

M~
macster
64 posts
 
RE" Confused"

Mjm1124 is correct. You only have 40db of gain on your phono input. On your other inputs you have just 28 db of gain per input. Total gain is not the 40DB gain of the phono plus the 28 DB gain of the other inputs.

Also

The Shure M97XE/Jico SAS will be cheaper to replace if it gets broken than the Dyna. There is not a great deal of difference between the two. The Dyna is a bit smoother on the top, but the JICO matches it everywhere else. Both are a great match for the 105i are which you have on the Classic 1.

M~
macster
64 posts
 
My dear friend Raul

I own several CJ preamps and amps. :-)

He will not be getting 68 db of gain from that phono/line stage.

M~
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