I think that 54db of gain should be sufficient, so I would be concerned that your acoustic research ph3se may not really be making that much gain. AR claims it is compatible with MC cartridges having only 0.25mv output. Are all the tubes in good shape? I am only using 60db of gain via an Ayre P5xe with a Lyra Helikon (0.5mv) to get volumes similar to my digital sources. If all checks out, you may indeed need an SUT to drive it. That would also obviate the need to adjust the impedence, which at 47k ohm on the AR is not usually what most people find best for a Lyra cartridge. You can get a good intro to SUTs at the bobsdevices.com website. He will also answer questions for you.
Gain challenge with Lyra Delos
I recently upgraded to the Lyra Delos. It bests my previous cartridge, the dynavector 10x5 by a long shot. But praises aside, I am having trouble driving this cartridge with my electronics, and something seems like it may be wrong.
I am going from lyra Delos, to audio research ph3se (54dB gain) to audio research LS25 via single ended cable (12dB gain) to Audio Research VT100 mkII amplifier, to Rockport Mira Monitors (87dB sensativity).
In order to get loud-ish sound in my small to medium sized room, I need to set my volume knob on the ARC LS25 to 3 o'clock or all the way to maximum. Once the level is this high, noise from the preamp is quite an issue, not to mention, there is nowhere to go from maximum. It is a bit surprising to me that with 54dB out of the phono pre, and 12 dB more from the preamp, that this situation would present itself. Is there something wrong?
I am considering switching the ARC PH3SE for a BAT VK-P5, which would get me one extra dB from the phono pre and 6 extra dB from the ARC preamp when using the balanced input over the single ended. I am thinking a 7dB jump would solve my problem.
Do you agree? Also, do you think there is something wrong in my cartridge or system, or this low output with this collection of gear seems right?
Thank you!
- Mark
I am going from lyra Delos, to audio research ph3se (54dB gain) to audio research LS25 via single ended cable (12dB gain) to Audio Research VT100 mkII amplifier, to Rockport Mira Monitors (87dB sensativity).
In order to get loud-ish sound in my small to medium sized room, I need to set my volume knob on the ARC LS25 to 3 o'clock or all the way to maximum. Once the level is this high, noise from the preamp is quite an issue, not to mention, there is nowhere to go from maximum. It is a bit surprising to me that with 54dB out of the phono pre, and 12 dB more from the preamp, that this situation would present itself. Is there something wrong?
I am considering switching the ARC PH3SE for a BAT VK-P5, which would get me one extra dB from the phono pre and 6 extra dB from the ARC preamp when using the balanced input over the single ended. I am thinking a 7dB jump would solve my problem.
Do you agree? Also, do you think there is something wrong in my cartridge or system, or this low output with this collection of gear seems right?
Thank you!
- Mark