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Need help with finding a new phono stage.

I just got my SOTA TT back from being upgraded from a Star to a Nova. Now I need to work on getting a new phono stage. I currently have a Cary PH-301 that has served me well for years but I'm looking for a phono stage where I can adjust the gain, impedance and preferably the capacitance as well. I have mounted a new Benz M2 wood body MC cartridge (0.8mV) on the Kuzma Stogi tonearm. According to the papers the recommended load is 200 - 47k ohms. I don't see a figure for the capacitance. My Cary has a swicth on the back to go from MC to MM (60db/42db), and says the impedance is adjustable (MC only, 10k - 68k, MM fixed at 47k) but the manual does not instruct how to do this.

Any suggestions for a new or used phono stage in the $1500 price range. I prefer tubes but could go solid state. If anyone also knows what impedance level would be best between 200 - 47k ohms and what the capacitance on my Benz cartridge I'd appreciate knowing that as well.

Thanks
clio09
jalanc42069
131 posts
 
Why not try some Trannies, no not that kind, step up transformers, I have the Lundahl step up trans. kit($250., nice 4 price)), but think the Bent Audio MU dual mono trannies are the ultimate especially for $825. Continuous cast copper wound trannies directly terminated to Bullet rcas, no toggles ot dip switches for your sound to go through, adjustable with a resistor mounted externally on each tran. with little binding posts making it easy to try different values and even different brands of resistors!, talk about extreme fine tuning! If you are happy with the Cary, set it for MM, and set up the trannies for your cartridge. Check it out.
s23chang
620 posts
 
Jalanc42069
Step up transformers are not adjustable for gain. Also, it has limitation on load impedence value.
clio09 OP
3,355 posts
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. Lots of interesting options.

Larryi - I appreciate the explanation and this makes sense to me. I need to call Cary and see what the factory setting on the PH-301 is and how to change it. Then evaluate the results.

To those who suggested the step-up transformers, after doing some research I am sure this is a good suggestion but I would prefer to upgrade the entire phono stage rather than go this route.

Under consideration at this point are:

Musical Surroundings Phonomena with battery PS
BAT VK-P5
ASR MIni Basis
Audio Mirror PP1 (preamp with phono stage modified to just provide the phono stage)
Acoustech PH-1P
Eastern Electric Mini Max

I'm looking for others to research so any suggestions are welcome. Again, budget is up to $1500 used although if I'm not satisfied in this price range with my options I may have to bite the bullet on a Whest.
clio09 OP
3,355 posts
 
Actually that should have said budget is $1500 new/used.
c123666
871 posts
 
Take a look at the Decware phono stage; just over 1500 including moving c oil transformer step up devices. This unit will accomodate MM or MC cartridges and the values can be changed. Decware makes their own stuff and it is high quality. Best yet is you can run it for a few weeks as there is a 30 love it or return it deal from Decware. Small footprint, too. It also uses a small number of tubes as opposed to many of the other tubed phono preamps out there that use a LOT of tubes; ie, BAT, Aesthetix. Start pricing quality NOS tubes at 50 to 100 ea(or a lot more for Telefunken ecc803s/12ax7 at 500 plus per pair) and you'll see the cost of your tubed phono stage skyrocket.
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