Lesson learned :)
Do I need a sut?
I purchased an Ortofon MC2000 cart from a fellow A'Goner, it is very low output .05mV, my phono pre is a Herron VTPH-2 which has 69db of gain and my pre is a Herron VTSP-3a(r02) 14db gain.
The cart sounds wonderful, but with such a low gain I have to turn up the volume by quite a lot. If I had, another source at that volume, I wouldn't be able to stand it. With the volume turned up so high I get a fair amount of noise between tracks.
Should I be looking at an sut or just live with it the way it is? I found an Ortofon at a decent price, it has 24db of gain. Would that be ok to go into the mc input on the VTPH-2? The mm gain is 48db, if I plugged it in there I would only gain 3db(if I'm doing my math correctly) I will also be contacting Keith, but I thought I would ask here too.
Thanks
Jeff
The cart sounds wonderful, but with such a low gain I have to turn up the volume by quite a lot. If I had, another source at that volume, I wouldn't be able to stand it. With the volume turned up so high I get a fair amount of noise between tracks.
Should I be looking at an sut or just live with it the way it is? I found an Ortofon at a decent price, it has 24db of gain. Would that be ok to go into the mc input on the VTPH-2? The mm gain is 48db, if I plugged it in there I would only gain 3db(if I'm doing my math correctly) I will also be contacting Keith, but I thought I would ask here too.
Thanks
Jeff
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- 50 posts total
Analogluvr, No. You haven't tried the "right" phono stage. It IS possible to run the MC2000 without a SUT. However, I am not about to claim that my fully active phono stage is overall superior to any phono gain system using a SUT. I will just say it's silent and handles the output of my MC2000 with ease and headroom to spare. (It's an Atma-sphere MP1 that I modified based on the design of the input stage in Allen Wright's RTP3C.) Everything downstream from the phono input gain stage is pretty much as Ralph designed it. |
@jmcgrogan2 , the best SUT for MC 2000 is T-2000 because this SUT is made for MC2000 and 2000,mk2. Choosing a SUT for a cart is not easy. Not only impedance but also inductance matching is needed. However inductance is seldom mentioned by technical specs. What does not ''match'' is the price of the cart and the price of the SUT. Considering the price of the MC 2000 my suggestion is to try Jasmine lp 2 phono-pre. I used this one before I bought Klyne. No problem to drive MC 2000 and impressive considering the price (+/-$600). Besides it can be used with whatever other cart. |
Dear @jdodmead : Yes, it’s the best you can do for now because even with that noise level what you listen through the MC2000 is just very fine. You own very good speakers that I listened many years ago, Unfortunatelly for that cartridge its sensitivity is a little low around: 88dbs. """ That makes this cart really, really expensive. """, well things are that the cartridge is an expensive one when in those times was only one of two cartridges in the 1K price range. Even with an active high gain SS phonolinepreamp something that you have to really care with this cartridge is that your TT and tonearm ( it self. ) stays perfectly grounded and very important is the cable between the tonearm and the phono stage not only the shieklding and cable quality level but its " orientation/route/directuion to the PS input connectors " that sometimes helps with that noise levels. I think you have to make some tests about and see what happens with. Anyway, enjoy it !. R. |
If you like where the MC2000 is taking you an SUT that will work and suit your price ($759) is the MFA 632 at a 1:100 ratio Scroll down this page for instance of its use with the MC2000ii http://gpoint-audio.com/our-collection/music-first-audio/ |
- 50 posts total