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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 :)
128x128korakotta
lbelchev
64 posts
 

Why use a transformer?

"Step-Up Transformers (SUT) are a serious option for anyone who owns a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, one that can significantly improve both the sound quality and sonic character. Quite simply, a good transformer is the best way to audition an MC cartridge with the highest performance possible.

Since the output of MC cartridges is lower than that of a Moving Magnet (MM), higher gain is required to utilize them, such as that provided by SUTs or MC phono preamplifiers. Although both devices provide this requirement, both are fundamentally different in function and in sonic character. This is where SUTs are frequently seen as superior; they are completely passive and offer exceptional noise performance and sound quality.

This is due to the fact that the structure of harmonic and intermodulation distortion is fundamentally different between MC-preamps and SUTs. While an MC pre-amplifier has a constant resistive input impedance, an SUT has an input impedance that is frequency dependent. The harmonic distortion produced by SUTs is highest at the lowest frequencies and drops as the frequency rises, whereas in most MC preamps the distortion increases as the frequency rises. Combined with significantly lower Intermodulation Distortion (IMD), the sound produced with an SUT will be much more open, dynamic, spacious, and natural."

https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/products/transformers
korakotta's avatar
korakotta OP
50 posts
 
Thank you for all the replies. 
I changed the unbalanced cables to balanced. The cables need to burn in,the octaves are incomplete, but it feels like I got 5-10db and overall better sound quality, so that's gonna be like that.

I decided to buy a phono next. 
I need to do that even if I am gonna buy later a SUT because the Mx Vynl is running at 47k constantly in MM mode and the Ikeda is happy at 100ohms...

I am hesitating between the Ph-10 and the ASR Mini MK3 exclusive high voltage edition.
I couldnt find lots of info about the last one, only it's good with LOMC and high quality product. Anyone? Both has balanced xlr outs.
Any other phono what would be better with balanced xlr-outs?

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I think @nandric  has at least two big boxes of ARS components in his system.  
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

@chakster , I assume that your ''guess'' is connected with the

mentioned ''mini Basis'' phono-pre. I own the whole ASR German

artillery: two transformers (40kg each), 2 battery supply (one

for the amp the other for the phono-pre) than Emitter II (the amp)

and Basis Exclusive the phono-pre . Those are 6 big boxes.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,055 posts
 
Dear @ibelchev: Obviously that you just don't read my posts here about why and from where came SUTs.

Ortofon mainly is a cartridge manufacturer not an audio electronics items. From its began Ortofon as all other LOMC cartridge manufacturers always joined its cartridges with its SUTs that they manufactured and they had to manufacturer SUTS because was the only alternative to listen those kind of cartridges in a " decent " way and not because was the SUT the perfect alternative. Was the only one on those old times.

Active high gain phonolinepreamps just did not exist in those times at least niot good designs.

Tubes are out of question for active high gain phono stages so normally almost all tube manufacturers use SUT, externally or internally to the design, because tubes has no other viable alternative and not because SUTs are better. Some SS phono stage manufacturers gone for SUTs because it's a lot more easy to design that way than an active alternative. You need very high knowledge level and skills to do it.

In the other side active high gain SS phonolinepreamp design is not an easy task but if the design and excecution to that design is a good one then this is the true and best alternative. I explain in my posts.

I'm not saying here or else where that SUTs are bad because are not but are inferior no matter what to a good SS active high gain stage.! ! !  Noise levels, distortions and very limited frequency response is where SUTs just can't compete.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
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