a quiet step up such as a transformer will certainly give less noise, but at the expense of the added degradation of another stage and interconnects.
Connecting a Step Up Transformer
I've been reading Art Dudley's article in Stereophile regarding the Step Up transformers in the past two issue with great interest. I currently use a Shelter 901 (0.5mV) with an ARC PH3 SE. My preamp is the ARC LS25 MK I. With analog, I set the output at 24dB, but I still have to crank the volume all the way to the 12 o'clock or 1 o'clock position.
I've been thinking that a step up transformer might be the answer if I want to play with some other low output MC cartridges.
So I have the following questions:
1/ Currently the cartridge loading is set at 100 ohm on the PH3 per Shelter recommendation. If I add a transformer, does it mean I need to go back and change the loading on the PH3 back to 47k ohm?
2/ I take it that when you use a transformer, you will still have to match loading? So it is better to find one that allows you to adjust the loading?
3/ The PH3 only has 54dB gain. ARC recommended using MC cartridges with output higher than 0.6mV. So with a transformer, I should be able to resolve the gain issue, and also be able to use low output cartridges, ones with 0.3mV output, correct?
4/ What type of cable do you need to connect a transformer? I assume the phono cable w/ ground will just go into the transformer. How about from transformer to phonostage? Just a regular pair of RCA interconnects? Do I need a ground cable between the transformer and the phonostage? It would need to be the same length as the RCA cable?
FrankC
I've been thinking that a step up transformer might be the answer if I want to play with some other low output MC cartridges.
So I have the following questions:
1/ Currently the cartridge loading is set at 100 ohm on the PH3 per Shelter recommendation. If I add a transformer, does it mean I need to go back and change the loading on the PH3 back to 47k ohm?
2/ I take it that when you use a transformer, you will still have to match loading? So it is better to find one that allows you to adjust the loading?
3/ The PH3 only has 54dB gain. ARC recommended using MC cartridges with output higher than 0.6mV. So with a transformer, I should be able to resolve the gain issue, and also be able to use low output cartridges, ones with 0.3mV output, correct?
4/ What type of cable do you need to connect a transformer? I assume the phono cable w/ ground will just go into the transformer. How about from transformer to phonostage? Just a regular pair of RCA interconnects? Do I need a ground cable between the transformer and the phonostage? It would need to be the same length as the RCA cable?
FrankC
- ...
- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total