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Not getting enough volume with my new MM cartridge

I am just getting started with vinyl and bought a new REGA P5 & Exact cartridge. I have to turn my pre-amp more than 3/4 of the way up to get reasonable listening levels! I am using both a REGA MM phono pre-amp and a NAD PP2 phono stage and have the same results. I was using an Thorens 125 MKII with a Benz Micro Silver cartridge that gave me plenty of volume with the NAD PP2. Any ideas why I have to turn my pre-amp up so high given the output of this MM cartridge? Thanks for your help!

Pre-Amp: Ayre Acoustics K-1XE
Amplifier: Mark Levinson 331
Speakers: Wilson Audio Sophia
TT: REGA P5
Cartridge: REGA EXACT 2
Phono stages: REGA MM Phono & NAD PP2
rick_hilton
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I would call the Rega importer since the cartridge and phono are both from them. They should be the most informed about their products. Not always true but good place to start.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,043 posts
 
Dear Rick: There is no reason for that because that cartridge has enough output level other that the cartridge is out of specs ( faulty ) r wired in a wrong way.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
has2be's avatar
has2be
555 posts
 
Check the wiring and your cabling. I,m using that cartridge with a graham slee reflex era gold and a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300 and for referance level for playing CD,s thru the Esoteric DV50s is with the volume at 9 oclock , with the lp's on most is only to 10 oclock to be as loud and on well recorded dynamic lp,s it is almost the same as cd,s. I would start with checking the wiring and cabling first. What input are you using on the pre-amp to put the phono through ?
mingles
796 posts
 
This doesn't make sense. The Exact has an output of 6.8-7.2mV which is one of the highest I've heard of. As others have suggested, double check the wiring. Follow Rega's guide:

http://www.rega.co.uk/downloads/Exact.pdf

Have you done any troubleshooting? Have you tried plugging your phono stage into another input on your Ayre? Have you tried different interconnects? I know these steps may sound ridiculous, but it's a process of elimination. If you're absolutely certain the wiring is correct and your equipment is fine, there's something wrong with the cartridge. If that's the case, contact the vendor and ask for help. Good luck!
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