Looking for a better preamp match for AT OC-9/III
* The input impedance is fixed at 470 ohms
Here is some info about my AT OC-9/III cartridge:
After looking at the specs of both the cart and the phono amp. The Fanfare seems to be fixed at a 1k load. Your cartridge wants a setting of 100 ohms so that could be a factor. The Fanfare seems to have plenty of gain though so its a little perplexing. Are you using a active linestage preamp? if so how much gain is that capable of? Matt M |
Hello Matt and thanks for answering. I currently am not going into an active preamp. I am going into the LS-50's integrated amplifier directly (which does not have any type of gain stage). I suppose this could definitely solve the issue, or perhaps even a small line-level mixer? I just hate to introduce more items in the chain (unless my worries are unfounded). I've read so much about trying to get "the best pairing" for the AT OC-9 and the only one I ever see mentioned along with Audio Technica is the Herron Audio VTPH-2 which seems like a tad bit of overkill for what I'm trying to accomplish. I also neglected to mention that the Graham Slee is currently making all sorts of odd noises like pulsing sounds so I'm still trying to troubleshoot if it is the preamp it self or some other element. If it is plugged in by itself, it sends pulsing sounds and introduces some crackles into my speakers. |
think you may be missing a few db of gain without the active preamp...the phono stage likely wont put out enough current to drive the amp quietly... I have the OC-9III as well as the AT 1000, a benz LPS, and a few other LOMCs....I have tried several phono stages from the Musical fidelity XLPS to the Manley Chinook, to the Pass Labs.... and have no issue with noise on any of them...but am running an active gain stage preamp too. If you want to stay away from an active pre, then you'll probably need to look for a phono stage with 68-70db of gain instead of the more common 60db of gain.... The phono stage power supply design also makes a huge difference in noise or lack there of....need plenty of filter caps to remove the last traces of ripple on the rail voltages... Have not heard the graham slee but have heard good things about it. on any phono stage, you will also lower the noise floor considerably by using Vishay metal film resistors in the loading areas and on any signal shunt positions within the phono stage. good luck |
This will do what you need for not a lot of money. http://www.vista-audio.com/products/phono-2/index.htm |
Cool, I will take a look at all of your options guys, thanks for the info. So if I bought one of those AT SUTs mentioned earlier, the point would be to bump it up before I go into a phono preamp, correct? And otherwise, I could either put a preamp after the phono preamp, or I could buy a phono preamp with more switchable loads as jackd mentioned. Thanks for the help. |
