Phono Preamp Gain

I too have a Mani and for cartridges with 4-5 mV of output, which mine are, the 42 dB setting is ideal. I tried the 48 dB setting and the soundstage collapsed and was far more compressed. Can’t hurt to try it though and see if you get the same result.

The Soundsmith Otello has an output of 2.12 mV.

Go with 42 dB.

You need to match phono stage gain to the cartridge first. Don’t get tied up in the integrated’s input sensitivity, which is spec’d at the point where the volume control is WIDE OPEN, and determines the amount of input signal required to output the full rated power. This is not indicative of how you will likely use the amp. You might better think of your integrated as like a preamp that has a gain of 12 dB (250 mV to 1 V line level) plus a power amp section of 1 V sensitivity and 25 dB gain (40 Watts full power from 1 V input). Which makes for a total of 37 dB gain (volume wide open).

Your cartridge is 2mV. That’s 8 dB less output than a standard MM cartridge of 5mV. Since the typical MM phono stage is 40 - 42 dB, I would be inclined to try the 48 dB setting for your cartridge. In practice I find I often like a little extra gain from my phono stage, but you will be cutting into overload margins at some point (which may explain the prior poster’s experience at 48dB with 5mV on the Mani). Regardless, 48 dB is a great starting point for you “on paper”.

In the specs for the Mani on the Schitt website, the 30dB gain setting is called "Decca Mode’. Decca/Londons produce a 5mV signal. Make of that what you will.

Well 40 dB on 5 mV is only 0.5 V. While 30 dB on 5 mV results in an absolutely anemic (for line level) 0.158 V. You pipe that into a preamp next to an input holding a hot digital source of 2V - 4V (e.g many balanced DACs), and you’re going to have to be careful to remember to turn the preamp volume way WAY down when you switch from vinyl to digital. I would never even attempt such a setup.