2. amps-preamps
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Denon SUT or Micro Seiki head-amp?

Hello there. I recently bought the famous Denon DL-304. I connected it to my Project Tube Box II, and immediately noticed that something was quite lacking. I did some research and only then learned about this cartridge being extremely low-output, and the need to somehow boost up its sound. Right now, the options I have here in Argentina are reduced to:
1) Denon AU-320 step up transformer.
2) Micro Seiki MTA-41 head-amplifier.
The Denon could seem like an obvious option, since it matches the cartridge impedance exactly (40 ohms). But then some say it could veil the extraordinary level of detail of the DL-304, and I wouldn't want that at all. The Micro Seiki, on the other side, is a mystery: there's practically no info about it on the internet. I only got to know that technically it would fit the DL-304: it is good for cartridges between 1 and 50 ohms of impedance and from 0.1mV (DL304's being 0.18). The specs here: http://www.micro-seiki.nl/Accessory.html
Can anyone help me decide here? Thanks for any advice!
fedocable

Showing 8 responses by fedocable

fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Oh. I have no experience whatsoever with any of these pre-pre gadgets, but from what I read, the SUT au-320 should match almost exactly the cartridge impedance. That's why I assumed it was a safer choice. I didn't know about other risks (ringing or cable mismatches)...
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Good advice. Although there are not many models available in Argentina right now -and we cannot buy electronics from abroad, believe it or not. There's a Clearaudio dealer... maybe some mid-range Clearaudio pre + Denon au-320? That may work better than keeping my Project, perhaps...
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Oh, I didn't know about the KAB gain calculator, thanks for the info! So my impressions were correct: for a 0.18mV -that could even be less, who knows- you should require no less than 70dB. That would put the Clearaudio Nano preamp -a third option I was considering- in a dangerous zone, since it gives 67dB of gain. It seems I'll be safer with the Denon SUT (or the Micro Seiki!) and my Tube Box. Later on I can always reach for a better preamp.
Btw, of course: the Tube Box is switched to "MC" and it's connected to a line level input. And the sound is horribly weak.
So, having ruled out the Clearaudio, I'm back at square one: Denon SUT or Micro Seiki head-amp? Why do you think that the head-amp could give better results, Swampwalker? The problem is that there are absolutely NO opinions about this unit on the internet -only some specs... The seller tells me it's a "single ended class A" -I don't really know what that means, in case it's good.
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Correction: according to KAB, the needed gain for my cart is 65dB. Still, I think that investing in a 67dB preamp like the Nano would be pushing the envelope...
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Yes: the head-amp seems riskier, but could also give better results. But keep in mind that -on the papers- Denon's cart and SUT are made for each other: the SUT can be set to 40ohms, which is supposed to be the internal impedance of the cart. And the SUT would go too into the MM input of the preamp, lowering tube noise. But despite all that the Micro keeps attracting me -the attraction of unknown, I guess.
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Swampwalker, you are absolutely right: the Denon SUT has only 20dB of gain. That would make only 60dB when connected to the Project in MM mode (40dB). Not enough! Suddenly the SUT is no longer the safer choice, apparently! What do you think?
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Oh, to be honest I have absolutely no idea about those technical details... My amp is a Puccini Settanta (70W), that's all I can tell you. And my set is in a fairly small room. But as far as I understand, I like the idea of using the MM input: it would mean less tube noise -and there is some...
fedocable OP
12 posts
 
Thanks, that's extremely helpful! Btw, the Puccini Settanta is already a nightmare when it comes to "volume control": you need to have surgery precision with that knob.
But anyway I'm growing the idea of replacing it with a Primaluna Prologue Premium, for the sake of tubes.
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