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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
 

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.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@montaldo 

8:30-9:00 volume control range is quite narrow/limited. 8 to 10 db of gain is probably ideal given the output voltage of your DAC.You’d have more range and fine tuning of the volume control. 
Charles

acman3
4,239 posts
 

Shindo put volume controls on his amps to deal with the high gain. Most Shindo preamps have issues with high gain on other amps when using  high efficiency speakers. 

lewm
13,021 posts
 

2V output from a DAC is neither high nor low output, compared to most other DACs.  It's typical. You don't need any gain at all downstream from a DAC with 2V output; that's more than enough signal voltage to drive any amplifier to full output and beyond.  Are you guys referring to the linestage gain of a typical Shindo preamplifier? 

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