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KC Vibe Mark 1

Hi I have an older (80's) Technics SL-Q3 turntable with a Benz wood SL cartridge that feeds the Sutherland Engineering KC Vibe phono pre. That is connected to a Lamm 2.1 deluxe pre with a VTL ST150 amp and Vandersteen 2 sig3 speakers. Is the KC Vibe choking my system? Do I need a turntable upgrade? Cartridge? I listen to a wide variety of albums. I do especially like female vocals and jazz.

dpm2340
lewm
14,704 posts
 

What Viridian said. Plus, the Benz with an internal resistance of 12 ohms is not a super ideal match for the vibe, but I’m sure it works. Normally you’d want to mate a current drive phono stage with a cartridge that has 10 ohms or less internal R. I would not worry about it.

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slaw's avatar
slaw
26,623 posts
 

You have a nice "vintage" rig. I have a personal bias against Benz, so I must recuse myself from further discussion.

dpm2340 OP
173 posts
 

Very nice answers. I don't know which way I would turn for a different turntable. The reason I'm still using the Technics is it is automatic. Not very familiar with turntable models. I see Rega, Rega, Rega but others? I would probably be looking under 2 grand new or used. Cartridge or no cartridge.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,452 posts
 

I happen to really like Benz Wood SL (and the older L2) - really nice sounding, well balanced, and easygoing for a LOMC. Its 0.4mV output (feels like an honest 0.4) is usefully high, 12 ohms is reasonable for that output, and it’s pretty easygoing and happy with any decent MC phono stage over 60dB, in my experience. The finicky carts I’ve had, other than Van den Huls, have all been below 0.4mV.

KC Vibe should be OK here, though that’s not to say you couldn’t find something you might like more. 

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