Denon PMA-A110 Phono Upgrade!

Elliot wrote, "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." No. Obviously the MC inputs will have MORE gain than the MM inputs, else they are mislabeled. The S/N ratio simply says that the MC inputs will be a bit noisier than the MM inputs, probably along with higher gain.  But you need not guess how much gain you have on the MC inputs; most likely the information is available, if they provide the S/N information (S/N = signal to noise).  The value in decibels (db) is the ratio of the signal voltage to the noise voltage, for a given signal voltage output. Once you know the phono gain available on the MC inputs, you can actually calculate the signal voltage output from the phono stage, using the signal voltage output of the cartridge as a starting point (0.42mV).  db are a logarithmic quantity, so small differences in the numbers make a big difference in voltage output. For a rule of thumb, 60db gain means a 1000X increase in V.  There are tables on the internet for easy calculation.

@lewm 

I agree with you, except OP’s need to turn the volume up so high, and I cannot find any specs for MM and MC gain.

The difference of MC S/N 72db to MM S/N 84db is substantial.

Denon specifically mentions their DL-A110 cartridge with 0.3mV signal strength.

Perhaps OP errantly had his MC button in the MM position which skips pre-boost for weak MC signals, that would explain the need for max volume.

The difference between 72db SN and 84db SN is indeed substantial but not atypical for comparing MM to MC gain stages, because the MC gain stage needs to develop much more gain. If for example the MM stage provides 40 db gain and the MC stage provides 60db gain, and assuming the downstream pathway is common to both, then you would expect such a big difference in SN ratios.  And even 72db is below (less noisy) than the inherent noise of vinyl.  Most spec sheets don’t bother, but SN should really be quoted in negative numbers, like -72db, to indicate that noise level is 72db below the signal level at a given output and frequency (both also almost never specified). In practice one might not notice any difference in audible noise between the MM and MC stages of that phono. But in any case, my main point is that SN and gain are two different things that happen both to be measured in db and are inter-related because more gain usually costs in terms of (lower or reduced) SN ratio.

@lewm 

thanks for explaining

Sutherland KC Vibe Mk2 

Whest Two.2 used

Black Ice Fusion 9 Mk3