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MC phono stage without transformer?

A newbie question:

I read a lot of 'reservation' about using an external MC step up transformer to increase the gain of an MM phono stage. But as I searched around for MC phono stages, I noticed that a lot of these actually have internal step-up transformers, some of these transformers are exactly the same as what some people used to make their external step-up.

So if transformer is no good, I should really be looking for an MC phono without the tranformer? Do these exist though?
viper_z
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
What is the voltage output of your cartridge?
willieaspen
20 posts
 
Personally, I've never used a transformer-based MC stage ("passive"). Basically, you can design an "active" phono stage to provide the requisite gain. But, as you add gain, you also add noise. In the case of a low output MC, you might not be able to get the necessary gain without too much noise, esp with tubes. It can be done though. I've run a relatively low output Ortofon Salsa thru my CJ PV-8 "MM" stage and it has plenty of gain (31 db linestage gain and 47 db phonostage gain).

That being said, others have used transformers in their setup to great effect. I don't think that all transformers are bad, but like everything else, some are better than others and some carts may mate with them better than others.

Jeff
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Yes, they do exist (I own one) and I bet all/most of them were developed using a step up as the benchmark. The external sut is still the most cost effective solution. There are things that have to be addressed. Such as loading, length of output cables, etc.
herman
2,253 posts
 
if transformer is no good

but it is. Your fears are unfounded.
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