Whenever you review cartridge output specs, it is essential to note the recorded velocity reference point, which a number expressed in millivolts alone does not convey. The good folks at Grado Labs provide this number (@ 5cm/sec) and a visit to Benz Micro shows they (using a different test record) reference to 3.54cm/sec...making their .7mV almost identical to Grado's 1.0mV. A typical old school MM has about 5mV@5cm/sec, so these are one fifth of that. A typical MM gain is around 42dB...so you have 10dB more. I believe either the Ruby ZH or Aeon3 will match your preamp very well, and equally so.
Phon Preamp/Phono Cartridge Selection
Hello, again -
I’m struggling with conflicting commentary from all I’m reading to make a phono cartridge selection. I have three options below that I would like to make a selection from. None (nor do any other MC cartridges) seem to be a great match for my just acquired CJ Premier 15 Phono Preamp due to its gain of only 53 db. I’m hoping there’s something I’m not understanding correctly or that I can do to get satisfactory volume output.
Cartridge Options:
1. Grado Aeon 3 Moving Iron
Output=1mV@5CMV
Review comments: “Aim for roughly 55 dB to 63 dB of RIAA- equalized gain with your phono stage when using the Aeon3 “and “requiring a higher gain (56db–63db) than a typical MM”
2. Benz Micro Ruby ZH:
Output=.7mV
Benz site comments: “ideal for tube phono stages in the 50 – 60 db range” Certainly at odds with Grado Aeon commentary!
3. Benz Micro Zebra HO:
Output= 2.5 mV
Review comments: “ Aim for a gain of around 40 dB”
Recommended by a dealer - Would this cartridge’s output be too high?
My system:
Conrad Johnson Premier 15 Tube Phono Stage
Gain: 53 db
Phono Overload: 125 mV
Hum and Noise: Hum and Noise: 85 clB below 1OmV input
Conrad Johnson Premier 16LS Tube Pre Amp
Gain: 25 db
Maximum input: 15 vrms
Output impedance: under 700 ohms
Hum and noise: 96 db below 1.0 mV
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Tube mono block Amps
140 watts per channel
Input Sensitivity: 0.90 volts to full power
Input Impedance: 100k ohms
SME IV Arm
Cartridge weight range: 5 - 16 grams
Effective mass: 10/11g
Turntable
Sota Saphire Vacuum table
Care to pick one of the three? And if so, would there be a need for an additional boost (SUT, though some have stated do not use a SUT with the Phono Preamp I now have)?
I’m currently running a Grado Timbre Reference with an output of 1mv. The result is good quality sound but much quieter at a given volume level than other input sources (Streamer, CD, Tuner). Seems to be about 2/3 of these other sources.
A lot of info I know but wanted to provide all the facts here for opinions.
Thank you, and any responses will be greatly appreciated!
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My thoughts exactly when I read the original post. But DS Audio would make the original poster’s pre-amp redundant for vinyl playback. A quick summary of the benefits of optical, done the DS Audio way:
Downsides are
DS Audio will be my next upgrade, if I live long enough to raise the dough. Very interested in your home brew equaliser ...
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It's no wonder you were confused when posters start talking about SUT's for 40db phono stages when yours is 53db. Its also unfortunate when folk do a 300 word diatribe on their own system that bears no similarities to yours. The bottom line is : Soundsmith for example for their 1.1mv output cartridge recommend a 53-54db phono. The Grado at 1.omv should be about right for your 53db phono. The gain difference you are experiencing as @lewm said with line is that many digital systems have quite a high output. The suggestion that the 2.5mv Benz will provide more headroom is completely wrong. By putting a higher output into your phono you will have less headroom in the phono section. I have a friend who had no trouble running the same medium output Benz into a 55db Conrad Johnson phono. The difference comes down to noise floor, the lower the output the higher you have to turn the volume up then the higher the noise floor. Cartridges around that 1.0mv include Grado, Soundsmith, EMT. Also Van den Hul and Benz both do cartridges around 0.7 that should still work, given that your power amps are very sensitive and you have plenty of overall gain in your system. It just comes back to what is an acceptable noise floor with the VDH and Benz vs the slightly higher output other Grado, Soundsmith, EMT. Either the Grado or Soundsmith medium output would be the simplest option because they are both optimum at 47k - which suits your phono. Both great cartridges.
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Gentlemen, Thank you all for the educating! @dover I greatly appreciate your straightforward approach bringing so much together! |
- 14 posts total