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Does it improve the sound of a MM or MI cartridge by playing it through a phono stage?

I've been hearing about these old inexpensive Japanese cartridges getting rave reviews and I was wondering if they sound better if played through a phono stage as MCs do. Of course this would be at the standard 47K ohms load.

I have an Acutex LPM 412STR with the original and replacement stylus and would like to know how it would sound best. It was inexpensive (a long time ago), but might be an interim option if I have to get my regular cartridge serviced. I upgraded it about 9 years ago to a Van den hul One Special and thought the VDH was much better sounding with a Rega P5 played through the phono section of a Plinius 8200MKII integrated amp. Since then, I purchased a Sutherland Insight phono stage that has settings for the VDH (200 ohms) and a 47K ohm load for the Acutex, along with 3 or 4 others.
sokogear
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,552 posts
 
"Does it matter if it is a MC or MM/MI cartridge?"

Yes it does matter a lot! The Phono pre amp is the gateway to great vinyl sound. And of course they all sound quite different. $1200 dollar solid state preamps are great and $2500 tube preamps are even better and so on. Its all relative to your system and budget. I would use the "somewhere between the cost of cartridge and turntable lies the sweet spot for a Phono pre amp". IMHO of course.


Matt M




sokogear OP
1,120 posts
 
I just thought that since the Plinius regular output setting is 47K (I would think), and it has a high output position as well that I used in the past for the Van den hul.  

"Regular" I thought would be like a phono option on a typical receiver (I know that word is blasphemous here) the other is a higher output, but not sure of the load.

Will the Sutherland's 47K ohm setting sound similar? I guess if/when the situation arises I can try both. I just don't like opening up these boxes and fiddling around. Both are internal - Plinius I believe is a dip switch and the Sutherland has things that have to be removed and reinserted.
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
some in built phono sections in preamps and integrated amps of the 70's-80's-90's are quite nice and may outperform sonically some of todays stand alone phono stages.
The Acutex has a 3,5mv output so it should be connected to mm input, if you do to want to overload your amp.
But you have to listen yourself between the Sutherland and Plinius to decide which sounds better.
 
wolfie62
354 posts
 
I’ve got several AcuTex carts. All this hoopla and hand-wringing about preamps, over a clone of an AT cart!

Really?? 

The Acutex carts are just unauthorized copies of run-of-the-Mill AT carts. Instead of V magnets, it has mumetal “Mickey Mouse” ears. It uses the identical cantilever suspension as used on AT carts. 

In fact, Audio Technica sued the parent Japanese maker of AcuTex carts, Azden, in 1985, over patent infringement.

The “3rd” pole of the AcuTex “Tri-Pole” design is nothing but a cheap gimmick. They do NOTHING! The cantilever is hard mounted; there is no axial movement!!

Cheaper just to buy an AT cart. They sound and perform the same!

Such a lame thread here. 

Sorry! But not sorry.
jperry
2,485 posts
 
You may want to do some reading here. I think it will help you better formulate a question so others can understand what you are asking. Lots of great info on all things hi fi.

https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/d.mpl?audio/faq.html
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