2. analog
  3. 185651-160298

Matching the cartridge to the phono stage

Hey Everyone, I am new to this so please be gentle :) 

I am in the process of buying an amp that has the phono stage in it with the following specs with 3 options for the cartridge type MM/MC-Low/MC-High:

Moving Magnet: 2.5mV / 47kΩ

Moving Coil:

MC-High-Output: 0.3mV / 100Ω

MC-Low--Output: 0.1mV / 40Ω

LINE 180 mV / 47 kΩ

 

Now I am thinking of buying the Hana SL cartridge with the following specs:

Hana SL specifications:

  • Output Level @ 1kHz: 0.5mV

  • Output Balance @ 1kHz: Less Than 1.5dB

  • Impedance @ 1 kHz: 30 Ohms

  • Suggested Load: 400 Ohms

  • Cartridge Weight: 5 Grams

 

The preamp MC-Low says:  MC-Low--Output: 0.1mV / 40Ω

The Hana SL cartridge: Output Level @ 1kHz: 0.5mV, Impedance @ 1 kHz: 30 Ohms and Suggested Load: 400 Ohms. 

 

How do these values match ? As far as I can see I don't have the same voltage 0.5mv on the cartridge and 0.3mv on the phono preamp. I also see that 40ohm vs 30ohm. The 400ohms figure is only mentioned on the cartridge. 

Can this cartridge be used successfully with this phono stage ?

Do I need to match these numbers ? Can someone help explain this whole thing to me. 

Thanks!

ajones82

Showing 1 response by paulburnett

paulburnett
42 posts
 

This doesn't help the OP, but I use the Hana SL with a Pass Labs XOno. Hana recommends >400 Ohms, but Wayne Colburn, the designer of XOno, claims that, due to the design, listeners should start at 100 ohms and work down. The design features dozens of values below 100 ohms, and only a few choices above. 400 ohms sounded harsh in the violins with the SL, and 80 ohms sounded rolled off, but really "interesting." I settled on 122 ohms, but I still feel something is not right. 

Mulveling, I think you might be right about the weird internal impedance of the SL, at least in the case of the XOno. The Hana ML has a more conventional profile, and I am tempted to try that next, which would allow me to spelunk deeper into the impedance range of the XOno to see if it makes a difference. At least there is a way better choice of impedance levels. Don't get me wrong, I love my Hana, which is why I am considering moving up. 

Most phono pre designers seem to build around 100 ohms, but the SL is an outlier at being both low-output MC and recommending >400 ohms. Interesting. 

 

Paul

 

More to discover