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Concerned about my cart/pre pairing

Long story short..

I started with a Dyna DV20x2HIGH and a Dynaco PAS3x, then upgraded the pre to a Rogue RP-1. One day was cleaning my table and #%&%! up the needle, so I just coughed up the money for a new DV20x2LOW now that I had the Rogue's choice of higher gain setting for MC carts (58db). Purchased from a reputable local dealer. In reality when making the purchase I didn't know too much about how cart specs/phono stage gain, etc works (I'm just starting this HiFi journey), just went with what was suggested. Now, I notice that I really have to crank the preamp volume sometimes when listening to records and the output is definitely less than it was before. It still sounds good, but on the occasion I do crank the volume to near max (50-60 out of 60) I hear some noise in the upper ranges, maybe a little hiss. After doing some research about the subject I'm concerned that the 58db gain on the RP-1 might be too low for the 3mv rating on the cart, and I'm missing out on the best performance of the Dyna cart. Obviously when switching to my Bluesound NODE the volume output is WAY higher. 

So....at the end of the day I still enjoy the sound, but feel concerned about having to have the volume  so high, and wonder if I'm missing other things like detail, dynamics etc....or am I over thinking this?? Do I really have to invest in a new phono pre in the future? Was this not a good match?

Thanks in advance!
128x128jin78
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
It still sounds good, but on the occasion I do crank the volume to near max (50-60 out of 60)

What is 60?

50-60% out of 100% ?

58db Gain should be enough for 0.3mV cartridge. On one of my phono stages I use 60db gain for lower output (0.25 mV) cartridges. The volume control on my passive preamp is about 50%.

I have another phono stage Gold Note PH-10 with higher gain (optional gain settings) and I want to tell you that you have to use the lower possible gain if you satisfied with the sound. I do not use higher gain settings even if I can.

SUT is not necessary better, probably you don’t need it, but you can try.

0.3mV is not so low output for MC, I have cartridges with 0.15 mV and even lower.

You could check the tubes in your amp, there are just 2 tubes, you could change the tubes (it can be huge upgrade if you will find the best 12AU7 tubes)

Specs for your preamp:

- Tube complement: 2 x 12AU7/ECC82 tubes
- Frequency response: 1Hz – 75KHz +/- 1 dB
- THD: <0.1%
- Gain line stage: 7 dB
- Rated output: 1V
- Output impedance: 750 Ohms
- Gain phono stage: 43dB, 58dB
- RIAA accuracy: +/- 0.1 dB
- Phono overload: 40mV
- Headphone amp: 1W (32 ohms)
- Power consumption off <1W
- Power consumption on: 23W
- Dimensions: 15.25 ”W X 14.5 ”D X 3.2” H
- Weight 16 pounds
- Shipping weight 20 pounds
- Power requirements 115V – 50/60Hz
- Power requirements 220/230/240V – 50/60Hz





jperry
2,450 posts
 
There is additional information here on cartridge/SUT matching


https://www.vinylengine.com/tools.shtml


jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
There is no advantage to using a high gain stage with a lomc cartridge because all such active stages add noise - something to be avoided! Properly amplified a lomc cartridge has a significantly lower noise floor than any mm or mi cartridge. A transformer is the best way to convert the high current of a lomc to the higher voltage required by a phono stage - all without adding more noise!
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
The only caveats regarding an SUT is that it must be grounded to the tonearm/TT AND the phono stage/preamp. 2: The IC from the SUT to the phono stage/preamp should be kept as short as possible. This is to avoid high frequency roll-off due to capacitive loading between the transformer secondary winding and the connecting cable. The interconnect cable between the lomc cartridge and SUT can be any reasonable length. A meter or two or three doesn't have any deleterious effect.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
To be honest, a high gain phono stage for 0.3 mV cartridge is not necessary, a high gain phono stage is required for 0.05 mV or 0.15 mV cartridges and those very low output carts can be problematic even with SUT, Headamp or phono stage.

Personally I use all methods including current-injection type of the phono stage for low impedance cartridges.

I can’t categorically say that SUT is the best!

But MM/MI carts are dead quiet almost with every good phono stage, the MC are not.


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