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Phono stage gain too high??? Should I return it??

Just purchased a used ARC PH-7 and am wondering if it is defective as the gain seems awfully high.  I have it running into an ARC LS-27, and it's fed by a Project RPM10 with Sumiko BlackBird Hi Output (2.5mV output, 47K ohm).  I was expecting it to be the lowest gain input in my system, but it's so loud, I cannot set the LS-27 anything over 7/8 (my digital input, Schiit Bifrost is in the 12-16 range), and it does not go soft enough for late night listening.  

The only way I can get it to a reasonable gain level is to set the load at the lowest setting (100 ohms), which totally squashes the dynamic range.

The seller gave me a 30-day return window.  I really like the PH-7 in terms of tone, but is something wrong with it??  It's rated at 57.5 db gain which is modest by most standards, I think.  I have other phono stages rated at 60+ db and in my system, they exhibit LESS gain.  How is this possible??
tswei99
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,464 posts
 
I agree with the above post. 57db is too much gain for a the high output cartridge you are using. You should return the PH7 or replace the BlackBird with a lower output cartridge. Another option is to add an attenuator between the PH7 and the LS27.
 http://www.schiit.com/products/sys
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
The OP's comment about other phono stages with 60dB working well is confusing at best. Anything with higher than 50dB gain only works well with a LOMC cartridge unless your line stage is super low gain borderline passive. Something doesn't add up.
wlutke
708 posts
 
There’s nothing wrong with the PH-7 other than compatibility with your cart. I have the PH-7 and the gain works well with .5mv to .8 mv.
The 60+ dB rated phono pre you mention is for the MC setting. You’re no doubt using the MM setting which has much less gain plus the recommended 47K load for the Blackbird HO.

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,250 posts
 
Are you using the 47K ohm setting on the preamp?
salectric
747 posts
 
That is odd how your 60 dB gain phono stage has lower output than the 57 dB ARC.  My guess is that your other phono preamp has a low input resistance, perhaps 100 ohms or so, and the ARC has a 47K input load.  I am not familiar with your cartridge, but if if is intended to have a 47K load it may have much less output into a 100 ohm load.

That said I have always regarded the ARC phono preamps as an aberration in terms of gain.  They have far too much gain for a typical MM cartridge and barely adequate gain for a low output MC.  But gain suitability is very system-specific.  In my system right now I have a LOMC (.3 mv) feeding a SUT and phono preamp with a combined gain of 60 db with a passive attenuator (no gain) instead of an active linestage, and I have plenty of gain.  
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