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Low output MC to match my phono stage

Greetings,

I am in the market for a new cartridge and am considering trying out a low output MC. However, I don't know what output level I should look for so as to match my current phono stage.

I am currently using the phono stage on my Plinius 8200 MkII, and I am not interested in replacing it. The low gain setting is 1.5 mV RMS. The high gain setting is 0.75 mV RMS. The input impedance is 47kOhms.

To date, I have only used MM cartridges and a Dynavector 10x5 (high output MC). I am considering a Benz ACE, a Denon 103R, and another Dynavector. Do I absolutely need a step-up transformer if I go with the Denon? (If so, I can't afford more than the entry-level Denon.) Would I be better off with the medium output ACE?

I would be using the cartridge with my Rega P5. Presence and musicality are extremely important to me, yet I am on limited funds.
episteme

Showing 4 responses by episteme

episteme OP
55 posts
 
Nsgarch -- Right, thanks. Got that mixed up. I actually posed the question correctly (!) to Plinius. We'll see what they say...
episteme OP
55 posts
 
Thanks for the quick responses, Nsgarch and Markd51. I suspected that what you say here is true, as I have been reading a bit of stuff over at Audio Asylum. I'll check out some threads here, too.

At the time being, I am thinking of just trying out a Denon DL103 (not the 'R' version) with the $100 Denon step-up transfomer (1:10). If I am understanding things, this should lower the impedance appropriately and also boost the signal enough to work with the regular MM setting on my amp.

I can get this at the same price as another Dynavector 10x5 (which I liked), and I am curious to get some more experience with different kinds of cartridges.

Anyhow, I appreciate all of your help. It has been A LOT of help.
episteme OP
55 posts
 
Thanks for the help thus far. Nsgarch, I believe you are right. This is how I should make sense of it. The manual states:

"INPUT SENSITIVITY: 300 mV RMS for rated output at 1kHz. 1.5 mV RMS on Phono low gain setting. 0.75 mV RMS on Phono high gain setting."

That is it. Nothing in the manual mentions user-adjustable phono input impedance. Just that I can switch it from high gain to low gain. I'll send off an email to see what the impedance is on the low gain setting.

Thanks again for the help thus far.
episteme OP
55 posts
 
Below is the response I got from the US Plinius distributor. In short, the impedance is set for 47kOhms on both the "high" and "low" setting.

"If you change the phono gain of the 8200 MK II, it will not affect the cartridge loading of the phono section. This is possible to change by changing the hard-wired loading resistor on the phono board, but as you have been using a Hi-output MC cart and all you are doing is switching for a Low-Output MC cart, you should not have to worry over the loading, as it will sound just fine. It is not a gain issue with loading, but one of philosophy when using MC carts. Some feel that they should have a lower input loading, while others, such as myself, feel that 47 Kohm is the right choice in the majority of cases. I think you will find that you are fine."

I am clearly just learning here, but this has to be, at the least, controversial. I won't be doing any modifications to the amp, as I just am not going to get into it. Not sure where all of this leaves me, but at least I have learned a bunch....
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