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Phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC?

A rookie needs some help please...
Would you buy a phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC? Which one? Why? It's an Ikeda 9TT (2ohm, 0.2mV) with a VPI Classic, and Dynaudio BM5 MKiii monitors with volume box.
I have found the following options in the past few days. Phono:
Gold Note PH-10 (0.1mV)
Gold Note PH-1 (0.15mV)
Gold Note PH-7 (0.15mV)
EAR 834p (0.22mV)
Nighthawk F117 (???mV)
Which one would you choose?
I am leaning towards the PH10, but honestly I dont need all those settings, but if IT sounds superior than the other then I would go for it. The Nighthawk sounds really good also for the price but I couldn't find the specifications and I am not sure if it's good as any of the Gold Notes. Used EAR 834p can be an option also but I read really mixed opinions about it. 
Now what I have now is a Musical Fidelity MX VYNL (0.4mV if its balanced), now I am running unbalanced. It's biggest advantage is I could run it full balanced all the way from the tonearm to the monitors and maybe some factory upgrade is possible, regarding to the website in the gain and plus a PSU.

Or step up?
Ortofon?
Denon?
It must be Max 1000pounds used.

Thank you all :)
korakotta
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,057 posts
 
The EAR uses tubes for MM and step up transformers (SUT) internally for MC. The GNs use solid state which might be the way to go if you are good with no tubes. Dunno what MC you intend running but at this price level, you might be best served using a MM and skipping the additional lossy/potentially noisy MC stage. 
 
hdm
1,075 posts
 
The KAB calculator is your friend. In my experience, unless you are using a passive preamp or have a pretty unusual system in terms of extremely high efficiency/low efficiency speakers, or very low powered tube amplification, the KAB calculator should give you an almost exact read of proper gain as it relates to output of the cartridge.

In the price range of phono stages that you are considering noise issues should be minimal or non-existent if gain is matched properly to the output of the cartridge. In addition to that, you should be achieving the best possible sound with proper gain matching. It is very important.

Use the output section of the calculator to establish the correct gain level for your cartridge and the sensitivity section below that to input the sensitivity of the phono stage to establish how much gain it is providing on the MC input.

http://kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/

If you want to go the step up route you're going to need an extra set of IC's and you're going to have to do further/a different set of calculations. It would not be my first choice but it's a subjective hobby. My preference is for a versatile phono stage that offers flexible gain options to suit a range of cartridges. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I have been very happy with my ph10 so far. Very versatile and you may find all the settings useful at some stage, I certainly have.

I have used it with a shelter501 mk3 cart at 0.5mv and now with a ZYX rs30 at 0.24mv. This really needed very little change in setup, I increased gain from -3db to 0db and loading at 470ohm. This gave me my best sq to my ears. Obviously the more gain you run the more chance you risk of distortion or excess hiss/noise at the speakers without music playing.
I did a test changing to +6db just to see and I think I could live with the hiss if I needed to. But I think even a very lomc in the 0.12mv area should only need +3db gain at most.
But your results could differ considerably in your system.
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