Increasing gain for your vinyl front end when pre-amp doesn't quite have enough juice


Hi Folks, just wanted to get your thoughts on what route you would go if your pre-amp (I’m talking about a normal pre-amp, not phono preamp) doesn’t quite have enough gain for very high listening levels for my turntable set-up. Now, on my phono-pre amp, there is a setting for maximum gain (schiit Mani) up to 59db, but the S/N ratio takes a hit and goes down to 70db, however, it does pump out the needed volume. What about the idea of putting in a good (inexpensive headphones amp/preamp - one of those $99 guys - like schiit Magni, JDS Labs Atom or Monolith Liquid Spark) between the phono preamp and the regular preamp? Does this have the potential of producing the needed gain while at the same time not degrading the signal too much (perhaps not as much as full gain on the Mani?) Just wanted to see what you all think. To me it seems like less items in the signal chain the better, but if it has a higher S/N ratio could be a better option? (with the added benefit of listening to vinyl through headphones, which I’ve never done before.)
bstatmeister

Showing 4 responses by chakster

@bstatmeister if you’re in USA you have to look for Zu Audio speakers, they will give you a try, full refund quaranteed and i believe they cover shipping both way within the USA (nothing to lose if if you’re not buying them). The best modern Full Range (crossoverless) speakers with paper cone drivers 101db ! I would recommend Druid line.

I’ve heard Klipsch Heresy III and Zu Audio will put them in a shame.
my speakers are very inefficient Vandersteen Model 2C’s from the late 80s.


As far as i know Vandersteen Model 2C speakers sensitivity is just 88dB, this is the reason why you need gain and powerful amp.

The reason why i love High Efficient speakers (97-101db) as the opposite to the average 86-88db, is the low power amp that can drive them easily, my preamp is passive/active. But i never use active mode.

If you want to solve the problem forever you may need to look for some high efficient speakers like Zu Audio or Tannoy ? It can be a revolution in your setup (if you haven’t tried some of them yet).

As for the cartrige with higher output you can try some with 5mV or even 9mV. Maybe you can borrow a $60 Shure M-44-7 (9mV output) to check your system with it.
More about Zu Audio (a very high efficient crossoverless speakers).  
The prices and their trial policy is incredibly good for what you can get. 
These speaker can be driven with 5w amp in the big room. 
Life is so much easier with 101bd sensitivity speakers. 
I wish i could, but i'm in Russia. 
I catched my used pair or Zu Druid for a funny price in Finland. Upgraded drivers and super tweeters later dealing with Zu people in Utah. Incredible speakers. 

Awaiting my Tannoy NFM-8 DMT for second system soon.