Are you using your MC At33xMLB on the lighter headshell? Or the MM VM95 that came mounted in it?
Denon PMA-A110 Phono Upgrade!
Hello Audiogon Fam,
I have a Denon PMA -A110 which I've had for almost 3 years and I love it. I have upgraded my Turntable and Cartridge so now I am looking to get an external Phono Preamp. The Denon has a high quality built in Phono Stage but I now think this is the weak link in the system. Can anyone recommend a few good Phono Preamps? Mine dosent sound bad but I believe I can get more out a high quality one. I came across the ifi Audio iPhono3 Black Label Phono Preamp for $649 and read good things about it. I'm trying to keep it under $1k. Thank you all for your support🙏
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- 13 posts total
Your Low Output Moving Coil (LOMC) AT33xMLB cartridge has low .42mV output, a 12 ohm coil. I have the prior version LOMC AT33PTG/II, 0.30 mV, 10 ohm coil, also Microline on Tapered Boron Rod. Everybody enjoys it's sound when I use it here. I chose this Step Up Transformer so I can continue to use my McIntosh mx110z’s MM Phono EQ. You could use it with your Denon Integrated Amp’s MM Phono Input, or any MM Phono stage like that Tube unit from Canada I linked above. https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11318 It has PASS for MM or HOMC (high output moving coil), and 4 optional gain/impedance choices. It has 3 inputs, you never know when you will benefit from a feature you think you will never need. |
@elliottbnewcombjr I am using the A33XMLB from Audio Technica. I find thatvI need to crank the volume almost all the way up to get a good 90DB Volume out of it. I am liking the Step Up Transformer you recommended. ? Or do I need a better Phono Preamp? |
note: guidance for loading a LOMC is coil impedance x 10. your coil is 12 ohms, thus guidance is 120 ohm. Your A110 MC has fixed 100 ohms which is close enough. A. Your LOMC cartridge directly to your Denon A110’s Phono Input: always turn the volume down before changing any settings 1. your front panel MC/MM Switch should be MC ON (white light ON, OFF is MM). Normally that should be enough signal strength for adequate volume, and 0.42mV from the cartridge is actually a lot from a LOMC. 2. Your A110 MM S/N 84db (signal to noise) is much higher than the MC S/N 72 db, which implies but does not specifically state how much gain each position provides, but less gain using MC is implied. note: IF your A110 MM Phono has more gain than it’s MC setting, then using a SUT combined with the A110’s MM setting would give you more volume than using it’s MC stage. ....................................
B. Use an external SUT to pre-boost an MC signal, then use any MM Phono Input for RIAA EQ and signal boost, i.e. your A110’s MM Phono (light off), or any separate/alternate MM Phono Stage you may buy. FRT-4, you could use either 10 ohm or 30 ohm impedance choices, either would give substantial signal boost without overloading the A110’s MM Phono Input. You pick what you prefer, you won’t hurt anything. PASS: bypasses the internal transformers, to simply PASS MM or HOMC High Output Moving Coil output, so you don’t need to change any wires when you change cartridges or tonearms 3 ohm setting = x factor 35.84 x 0.42mv = 15.05 mV (too much gain); resultant impedance is 37 ohms (too low) (if into 47k) 10 ohm setting = x factor 20.68 x 0.42 mV = 8.68 mV; resultant impedance is 110 ohms 30 ohm setting = x factor 18.27 x 0.42 = 7.67 mV; resultant impedance is 141, perhaps the best for your A33xMLB. 100 ohm setting = x factor 10.55 x 0.42 = 4.43 mV; resultant impedance is 423 (too high)
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- 13 posts total