Your C22 has a phono stage. Just get a SUT that works with the Koetsu.
Maybe you should contact Bob's Devices and ask for a recommendation.
In search of quality mc Phono stage
Hello all
My system
Audio Note Voyd TT with Audio Nite An arm 3
Koetsu Black MC cart
vintage Tube Mac pre and amp
various speakers. AN E to AR LST to Tannoy MG’s
budget is 1500 USD on the used market.
Music taste is rock or blues or Jazz
I know nothing about phono stage. What makes them good what makes them bad. Should I go with tube or should I go with solid-state. All suggestions are welcome. I think 50 to 60% of new retail price is adequate on the used market.
Thanks for any help
PK
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- 11 posts total
If you have a Vintage McIntosh preamp you have built in MM phono input with MM RIAA phono eq (perhaps two phono inputs, front selectable). Also many other nice features. For a low output MC cartridge (like yours 0.6mv output), all you need is to boost the signal (pre-pre boost) up to the level of a MM cartridge, then feed it into your preamps MM phono input. SUT (step up transformers) do just that. They are passive, they do not change the sound, thus you keep the sound of your MM phono stage, in the case of tube McIntosh Preamp is terrific IMO. You always want a ’PASS’ setting, so you can simply pass an MM or High Output MC signal thru (bypassing the SUT's internal transformer's windings). The impedance shown to the phono input is related to the amount of signal boost and the cartridge’s coil impedance. Complicated, but worth learning or asking for advice before buying. I chose a Vintage Fidelity Research FRT-4 SUT with 4 optional impedance choices (and 3 selectable inputs, most do not need that). this one has silver faceplate, and little nicks/corrosion usually they are gold tone faceplates (this faceplate more dings .... this entre 100 also has 3 optional loads, (and 3 inputs) there are other units with external or internal dip switches, removable resistors, etc that provide even more impedance/signal boost flexibility btw, your McIntosh preamp probably has trim pots to balance the incoming volume of a few sources, so you don't have to change the preamp's main volume control when changing sources.
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I just saw your preamp is C22. You said Vintage, I presume http://akdatabase.org/AKview/albums/userpics/10004/C22-CE%20Owners%20Manual.pdf I got momentarily confused, The new one, same model number has built in MM and MC inputs and several loading options. See face plate options here: owners manual That's what some external SUT's do, single setting; a few options; lots of optional settings.
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I haven’t got through all the information in replies yet, but I will add this. My C 22 is an original C 22. I used to have a Audio AN S2 L step up transformer but I got so tired with grounding issues with the vintage gear that I just sold it And decided to go MC phono stage. I have a digital meridian set up coming soon that I will need a phono-stage for anyways. The Audio Note / Koetsu will end up with the Meridian and my TD 124 with a Grace MM F9 will end up with the C 22 and Mac gear. I am using a cheap little project phono box with MC to make it work at the moment |
- 11 posts total