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Finally bought a new Turntable!

Hello All,
Well I done did it now, I bought myself a new Turntable.
After much research and talking back and forth on forums, looking at various models, I finally decided on a Mofi Studiodeck with the Hana SL MC Cartridge.
I bought it from a local Hi-Fi shop that gave me a 10% discount on the table and a 15% discount on the cart.
I have only had about a week so far and have not had a chance to play a much music yet. Just a few tracks here and there.
This does bring me to a question that I have for the community.

After initially playing a few tracks, I felt I had to turn up the volume a bit more compared to b4 when playing the same tracks on my Denon DP-300f, which seemed to have a bigger impact at lower volumes.

I had the shop configure my Phono Pre-Amp (Sim Audio 110lp V2) and the gain was set to 60db.

I set it to 66db and RIAA Curve. I think that improved the sound a bit more.
But what I want to know, for the particular cart that I have on the table, what are the other recommended settings?
I know the manufacturer have their suggested settings and ultimately, I probably have to try different settings and play a lot of music until I feel I have found the sweet spot but wanted to ask you all if you have any suggestions or opinions.
One other very specific question that I have is, Does making changes to the phono pre-amp have any negative effects on the system? Meaning, could I potentially do any harm to the system?
I appreciate any feedback.
128x128jay73

Showing 6 responses by jay73

jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback.
The output is 0.5mv and I believe my preamp tops out at 66db.
I will continue to play music this weekend to see how things sound. Perhaps in the near future, I may have to upgrade to a better phono preamp.
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
So currently, I set my preamp to 0pf, 475ohm, 66db and RIAA Curve.

I think it sounds better but need to spend more time and let it break in.

I was reading the owner's manual for the SimAudio Moon 310lp (one step above my preamp) and it states that 47K ohms should not be used with MC Carts and that capacitance should be set at 0pf.

One question, the impedance loading, the higher the ohm setting, does that mean potentially lower volume or higher or does it not affect the volume?
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
I want to make sure I understand something clearly, some of you are referring to line stage?

Could you define that?

The output of my phono preamp goes to the input of my integrated amp (one of the inputs).

Is the input considered the line stage?

Thnx
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification on line stage, I was a little confused on that before.
Well so far so good, I have left my settings on what I mentioned earlier ( 0pf, 475ohm, 66db and RIAA Curve).
Music sounds better then when I started.
But...
I have to be honest and mention this and I realize the equipment has not fully broken in yet. When I upgraded my from Denon dp-300 with Ortofon 2M Blue to this new TT/Cart combo, I guess I was expecting a bit of a revelation but as good as it sounds, I don't feel it is leaps and bounds over my existing TT.
I realize it is also due to the overall system as a whole that makes a difference and my system is not really high end and therefore not extremely resolving.
I've listed my equipment in other posts but here it is again:
- Vincent SV-500 Integrated Amp- Simaudio 110 LP V2 Phono Preamp- Martin Logan Motion 40 Speakers
That's probably all that matters with LP playback.
Just basic interconnects at the moment.
Perhaps with my system, no matter what TT I get, they will all sound similar.
This does make me want to keep my Denon around, maybe I will use it for a 2nd system.
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Haha, too late Millercarbon, you already indirectly did ask the question and so the answer is, Yes, that is my term for freebie patch cords....Basic Interconnects (is that so bad), hehe.

Thanks for the visual, lol.

Thanks
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
I might have to clarify something, maybe I made it sound like I had to turn up the volume very high. That is not what I meant, initially I mean that I had to turn it up a little higher then I had to when I was using my Denon.
But after adjusting the preamp a bit, I think I am closer to what I had before.
Millercarbon, thanks for the recommendations on the cables. Had a question though, wouldn't I need 2 pairs of cables, one coming from the TT to Preamp and 2nd going from Preamp to Integrated Amp?
If I were to get the cables you recommended, I would still need to get one more pair I believe?
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