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Low Output MC's- Are We Playing W/ Fire ??

Might the current rage w/ low output MC's and the neccesity to use step-up transformers, at least on tubed phono stages, be introducing a new potentially harmful link into the chain. Not all step-up transformers are created equal. Might we get overall better performance out of a well executed .45 mv output design ( Helikon ) w/o using a step-up vs. a .22 mv output ( Helikon SL ) w/ a step-up. Or are low outputs almost ALWAYS better ?
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herman
2,259 posts
 
A transformer is not a neccesity. There are all tube phono stages that can handle the job. I use an Aesthetix IO phono stage that is all tube with a .34 mV cartridge with wonderful results. I have also used a solid state Pass AlephOno that was very nice.
sean
6,231 posts
 
There is one question that i have always wondered about situations like this. Since a very low output cartridge has a smaller window of operation from highest to lowest output levels, isnt' the dynamic range of the system drastically compromised or at least reduced ? From what i can see, there is no way to get around this "problem". Since we are talking about the source of information that the rest of the system has to operate from, wouldn't this be considered a VERY negative aspect for a phono cartridge to possess ??? Sean
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psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
VERY good point, Sean. I learned a BIG lesson when I switched to the Monolithic PS-1. So much music coming out! I realized then that going down in output was not the path I should follow...

I'm not anywhere near as qualified as Sean and others in electronics, but doesn't it make sense that if the output is too low there will be serious loss of information on the cabling due to the extremely low voltage and also more suceptibility to interference (EMI/RFI)?
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