Manley Steelhead offers minimum 50db of gain on its single MM inputs, and that can be cranked up as high as 65db, not that you would need it. I too love the MC2000, and I use mine with a custom built outboard pre-preamp into the Manley MM inputs with gain to spare. (The Manley linestage adds no gain, so being able to access 50db via the MM phono inputs is critically important.) I assume the less expensive Chinook would also provide 50db of MM phono gain, but you should check. This is with my Beveridge system. On my Sound Lab system, I use the same outboard pre-preamp into a modified Silvaweld MM stage and thence into the linestage of Raul’s 3160 Phonolinepreamp, which adds at least 20db of gain. I do not own any SUT.
MM Phono Stages With Greater Than 40 dB of Gain?
One of my favorite phono cartridges is the Ortofon MC 2000, I have it with the T2000 SUT. Even so the combined output is still low, and going into my Esoteric E-03 phono stage I have to add a lot of additional gain from the pre amp.
Since I no longer use the Esoteric for direct input of moving coil cartridges I thought I might see if there is a better choice for a MM style phono stage that offers greater gain.
I have looked a bit, but not seen anything jump out. Anyone have run across an excellent MM only phono stage with higher than 40dB of gain?
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So far it seems to get that level of gain is going to be had with tube based phono stages. Are there any solid state alternatives? @mulveling The MC2000 . .05 mV, so a bit lower. I have the T2000 which is listed as having 35 dB of gain. I think its somewhere around 1:50 ratio. When I did find a T2000 I had hoped that I had my gain issue put to bed. It's not qute that easy. |
Yeah - I like to listen loud and 35dB from a SUT might not be enough for my liking with 0.05mV. That's still only 2.5mV hitting the MM stage, which is on the low side. Again, I think a 10x SUT is underrated here - that makes the 0.05mV into 0.5mV, which is in the range of a "normal" MC. Then you add a normal MC stage, being sure that it's "active" MC gain and not another SUT - loads of solid state MC stages would do well here. |
Dear @neonknight : " Are there any solid state alternatives? "
Yes it's. Essential 3180, please contact here rauliruegas@hotmail.com
Regards, R. |
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