I suggest switching to a low-output mc cartridge to better match the gain level of your phono stage. IMO high-output mc cartridges never sound good!
Phono stage gain too high??? Should I return it??
Just purchased a used ARC PH-7 and am wondering if it is defective as the gain seems awfully high. I have it running into an ARC LS-27, and it's fed by a Project RPM10 with Sumiko BlackBird Hi Output (2.5mV output, 47K ohm). I was expecting it to be the lowest gain input in my system, but it's so loud, I cannot set the LS-27 anything over 7/8 (my digital input, Schiit Bifrost is in the 12-16 range), and it does not go soft enough for late night listening.
The only way I can get it to a reasonable gain level is to set the load at the lowest setting (100 ohms), which totally squashes the dynamic range.
The seller gave me a 30-day return window. I really like the PH-7 in terms of tone, but is something wrong with it?? It's rated at 57.5 db gain which is modest by most standards, I think. I have other phono stages rated at 60+ db and in my system, they exhibit LESS gain. How is this possible??
The only way I can get it to a reasonable gain level is to set the load at the lowest setting (100 ohms), which totally squashes the dynamic range.
The seller gave me a 30-day return window. I really like the PH-7 in terms of tone, but is something wrong with it?? It's rated at 57.5 db gain which is modest by most standards, I think. I have other phono stages rated at 60+ db and in my system, they exhibit LESS gain. How is this possible??
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- 21 posts total
The gain of the PH7 is fixed at 57.5db, which in my view is a bit high for a high output cartridge. However, on your LS27 line stage you can configure the gain for each input individually ( Low, medium, high). My suggestion would be to set the phono at 47k and reduce the gain of the phono input on the LS27 linestage to the lowest possible - low. Furthermore be aware that the single ended output ( RCA ) has half the gain of the balanced ouput ( XLR ), so this can be factored into your set up options.. |
I agree with the above post. 57db is too much gain for a the high output cartridge you are using. You should return the PH7 or replace the BlackBird with a lower output cartridge. Another option is to add an attenuator between the PH7 and the LS27. http://www.schiit.com/products/sys |
- 21 posts total