2. amps-preamps
  3. 178575-175711

Phono Stage Amp

I have a mid-level to low end turntable. (Music Hall 11.1) and a low end decent Phono Stage Music Fidelity M1. Good tonearm and good cartridge. 

I listen to JAZZ so volume isn't too much of an issue, but sometimes I just want it loud. I have Cary Audio slp-05 tube pre and the Cary Audio mono block main tube amps as drivers

I crank the volume up just past half way and there tends to be distortion. Below half way the sound is incredible. The records sound better than the corresponding CD or, of course, DAC streaming.

Would upgrading my phono-stage to one with greater boost help me? Or is that half (my whole phono system) of my system as good as it could get?  

cinqcepages
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imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,231 posts
 

Move the turntable and see how the system react will not cost anything.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,224 posts
 

MC input Frequency response RIAA/IEC ±0.2dB Input sensitivity 300µV in for 300mV out (at 1 kHz) Input impedance 47KΩ THD at 1 kHz 88dB “A”-wtd. Line level outputs 1 pair RCA (phono) left and right 300mV rms nominal

No dip switches.

Are you suggesting Bob’s Sky 30 SUT? I looked it up and am reviewing it. It seems very reasonable and affordable. My MF is 10+ years old.

Ah, that indeed appears to be a different version than the "M1VINL" we were looking up. This one’s spec’d 300uV to 300mV is better (60dB versus 56dB), but still too low for that cartridge IMO.

I have a couple of the Bob’s Devices Sky units, along with many other SUTs too. I almost always prefer a good SUT to an active MC stage, sometimes significantly so. The Sky is a good one, reasonably priced. There are better, but they cost more. Yes, I recommend them with a few caveats:

  1. You must carefully match the SUT ratio to your cartridge. 20 - 30 is good for a 0.25mV cartridge. 30 in this case if you keep the M1, because it could use the extra gain.
  2. You must use a low-capacitance, short (less than 1m) cable run from the SUT to your MM phono stage (set to 47K load). Bob sells a good 0.8m one for $400.
  3. Always run a SUT into an MM stage (or MM mode). NOT into MC!
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,327 posts
 

Don't the 805's have multiple taps; which ones are you using?

cinqcepages's avatar
cinqcepages OP
52 posts
 

@mulveling Thank you.

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