Audio Research PH5 Phono Preamplifier Input Clipping Problem

Dear @bobsdevices  :   """  That is why many manufacturers using SUTs in their phono preamps to accomodate MC cartridges. """

Not really and not exactly as you posted. Yes, S/N is higher in MC active high gain devices than the same S/N figure in MM mode but this is just a number and if we know " to read " those numbers then it does not matters and does not goes against a SS active high gain designs.

The phono stages/phonolinepreamps that needs and use SUTs are the all tube designs because tubes are " noisy ".

AR, Herron and other tube designers instead of SUTs use SS devices at the input gain stage trying to lower noise and distortion levels.

The other designers that use SUTs are not because SUTs are better than SS active high gain designs ( that are not. ) but because is a lot more easy to design that " elussive " active high gain knowledge levels to do it.

A good SS active high gain design always beats to a design using SUTs.

What makes the real differences?: knowledge and skills level of the designers, nothing else.

In the other side here are 3 precise examples ( there are many more. Name of the game is in the design and implementation of that design. ) of SS active high gain designs where you can't detect that difference in S/N ratio between MC stage and MM one or even if the phono stage does not handle MM cartridges the S/N is so low in the MC stage that's imposible to detect any sign of noise or distortion levels:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/bmc-phono-mcci-phono-preamplifier-specifications#TWPUCjhcM5muLLb2...

http://www.stereophile.com/content/liberty-audio-b2b-1-phono-preamplifier#zP3dCRyDuo1Zyzoi.97

http://www.stereophile.com/content/parasound-halo-jc-3-phono-preamplifier-measurements#sEEGXPqsWEtwr...

As I said there are many other SS designs that are less affordable $$$  for almost any one.


Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear @scottwsmith : I owned the A-90 that's one of the finest ( still ) today cartridge performers and I can tell you that for the cartridge can shows at its best  it needs a very good matching tonearm and the finest phono stage/phonolinepreamp we can get and with all respect your PH5 can't do it.

The gentlemans that posted in your thread are not a little " concerned " on the  A-90 cartridge needs and IMHO this must be the first " parameter/premise " to judge what to do.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

you can destroy phonostage by overloading it. input devices weather transistors or tubes are very easy to ruin by overloading.

the simplest solution is to use cartridge with sufficient enough output to use it without SUT.
many above had mentioned that.
using low-out cartridge just because it has great parameters, but requires extra gain, won't bring performance up.

I refuse to get into a pissing contest with a skunk.  Done here.

Dear @bobsdevices : Well, I understand feelings when some person has no facts in a discussion. I posted facts that goes per se against your opinion and that’s all.

Maybe you think that in audio SUTs are a perfect device and I think diferent: that in audio nothing is perfect not even near the perfection, all in audio has its own trade offs.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.