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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 4 responses by pedrod45

pedrod45 OP
13 posts
 
Thanx for the support. I`ll take a look at this two optinos. About the gain of the pre, I`m still not shure if it`s 40 or 68 dB.

Hope someone else can give more advices. Sory for the poor english guys. I`ve been here in US for 4 weeks only.
pedrod45 OP
13 posts
 
"No problem....The gain of the phono inputs on the pre amp is 40 db. only. All the other inputs for a CD Player, tape player etc are 28 db. So you only have 40db available for the turntable/cartridge."

Thank you MJm1124, but I`ve sent an email to Conrad Johnson asking the same quastion about the gain of the phono input, and is what they`ve just answered:

"Pedro,

The total gain for phono input is the sum of the phono stage gain plus the line-stage gain.

regards,
customer service"

Now I`m really confused with that, since I alson think that 68 dB is quite a high gain for a all tube pre.

Hope someone else can opine about that.

Thank you!
pedrod45 OP
13 posts
 
Thank you Raul and Macster!

So, since the gain is 40 dB, what is the minimun cartridge output I must use?

What do you guys think of this cartridge here:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-clearaudio-aurum-beta-s-high-output-mm-cartridge-2013-09-26-analog-95076

Pedro
pedrod45 OP
13 posts
 
Thank you very much Al, you were very smart to pick that information out of that review. You really helped me to choose a well matched cart to my new TT.
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