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VAC Phono in Avatar Super

I have a VAC Avatar Super with a phono stage that has 42 db of gain. I have a Benz Glider High Output cartridge at 2.5mV. The documentation says it is appropriate with phono stages with gain of 40db or more and I asked VAC about it before I purchased. I have to use more volume than with my CDP and at higher volumes there is a background hum that is noticeable in quiet passages. VAC sells an external MC step-up network that plugs into the MM input that I think is like $900. Given that I have a high output cart, would the VAC step-up be a mismatch? Would I be better off going with a seperate phono stage? Different cartridge? Any and all advice appreciated.
maineiac
maineiac OP
649 posts
 
Thanks for your input Doug. Mine sounds good but I don't have anything to compare it to. According to the VAC web-site, the Vac Avatar Super has a triode MM phono stage derived from the VAC Signature Preamplifier and Renaissance grade parts throughout.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Maineiac, if you want to set up an A/B experiment let me know. I don't think we're that far apart. I can promise good times and good tunes!

Dan
franks
151 posts
 
2.5mv should be plenty for this moving magnet phono stage. I have used cartridges with 1.5mv into phono stages with similar gain without excessive noise or the need to turn the volume way up. Something is wrong with the phono stage, grounding scheme or the cartridge(open loop?). Don't get the step-up device, it's not needed. Even the lowest step-up device at 1:5(most are 1:10 or 1:12) would present the phono stage with 12.5 mv which would overload any normally functioning phonostage. I would start with a phone call to VAC. Let us know what happens.
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