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Shindo Masseto w Koetsu .3mv output

Hoping to get opinions on whether the MC stage of a Shindo Masseto has enough gain to produce strong dynamics from a Koetsu Rosewood Sig Platinum cartridge  (.3mv output). Or would I need a SUT?

 

Bonus question: any opinions on whether I would get better overall sound using an Aurieges pre (newer version) w an Hommage SUT through its MM section, or by playing straight into the MC section of a Masseto? The cost of each of these setups could be close to one another on the used market. When I say better sound, my priorities are a very organic "you are there midrange", lots of instrumental textures, realistic soundstage cues, and overall emotional impact of the music.

 

Thanks very much for any thoughts. My table is a Sota Nova vacuum and tonearm is Jelco TK-850 10". Amps are Quicksilver v4 monoblocks.

montaldo
montaldo OP
201 posts
 

Hi guys. Returning to this thread because I actually bought a Masseto! I have had it up and running for a few days now. It sounds beautiful and seems to have adequate gain for my koetsu rwsp, just as you all predicted.

An unexpected oddity emerged though. I have a audio note 2.1 kits DAC with some modifications. I don't believe it's known to have a very high output (2v a friend of mine tells me). Yet with the volume control at 9:00 on the Shindo the volume is very loud. Comparable volume for the phono is more like 10:30 or 11:00. I just can't understand it. 

Any thoughts? I believe I read somewhere that the mosseto has only 16DB gain line stage.

 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

Hi,

Well, 16 db of gain is still a pretty decent amount and it’s possible that your DAC could have more than the assumed 2V output.

Charles 

lewm
13,021 posts
 

If it has an output of 2V, that is way higher than the phono section. 2V is typical of most DACs, so I’m not sure why you’re surprised that the DAC needs more attenuation than the phono. That’s normal.

montaldo OP
201 posts
 

Thanks for the responses. I was only surprised because with my Berning preamp I have to dial the digital higher than the phono. But I realized after reading your comments that the Berning mc transformers  were adjusted to high gain. That explains it 

No real downside to listening to digital at 8:30 or 9 o'clock on the volume control, right? It doesn't signal possible overload of the linestage does it? I have heard volume pots are less accurate about channel balance in their lower range but I am not concerned about that.

 

lewm
13,021 posts
 

If it's true that the internal SUTs on the Shindo phono sections are not as good as easily available outboard SUTs, then why spend money on the Shindo phono stages that have MC inputs, since in all cases the added gain is achieved via built-in SUTs.  If Shindo make an MM only phono stage, that would be the one to buy, just from a cost-effective point of view.

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