Trying to get back into Lps, I seem to be throwing

Powers55...I hadn't tumbled to the fact that you have a MC pickup plugged into a MM input. You do need a different phono preamp, but perhaps not the multi-kilobuck kind. Why not try a MC transformer, inserted between the pickup and your existing preamp, which I'm told can be had for about $100. Some people actually prefer a transformer to an active MC preamp. I used a transformer (which cost significantly more than $100) for quite a while, and it worked every bit as well as the active MC preamp that I used later.

Eldartford, that was definitely the way I was thinking. any suggestions on a product that would be a good match for my system?

What am I missing here? Powers55 has a Sumiko Blackbird, which is a high output MC with 2.5mv output. The KAB gain calculator returns 40dB as the required gain for a 2.5mv cartridge. The McIntosh C37 phono section has a rated sensitivity of 2.5mv (exactly the output of the Blackbird) and a rated gain of 40dB (exactly the gain needed calculated by KAB). Why would he need a step-up or outboard phono preamp? I'm puzzled by some of the responses here.

If you can spring for about $250 - $300 the K&K Audio MC step up is a great deal. It uses Lundahl transformers, can be configured for a boost of 14, 20 or 26db of gain (factory preset, but if you're good at soldering you can change it yourself), and allows you to plug in different resistor values to set the loading without soldering. I am using one with a Hagerman Trumpet and so far the results have been great. I plugged in Audio Note 47k resistors and combined with the 47k at the MM phono stage gives me 940k ohms loading on my Benz M2.

It needs about 100 hours of burn-in and you could accomplish this easily by hooking up the output cables of the K&K to the outputs of a CDP and play a disc on repeat for a few days. Give Kevin Carter a call if this is in your budget.

Powers55, sorry if this has been covered, I am in a hurry and did not read all of the above posts, If this highs are a bit thin and you are lacking bass I am wondering about your VTA, perhaps try lowering the tone arm a bit, if this is mentioned already sorry, I got to go start my christmas shopping now, David