MC phono stage without transformer?

Dgarretson wrote:

All things being equal in the phono section, are .1-.3mV MC cartridges inherently superior to .4mv and higher cartridges, more cost-effective, or both?

Inherently superior? Yes, if we're comparing two cartridges of otherwise identical designs (e.g., a high output and low output version of the same model). The LOMC will have fewer coils on the armatures, which means lower moving mass, which results in faster rise and decay times, better responsiveness to small modulations and greater peak amplitudes.

Of course actually hearing all this theoretically superior performance requires that the rest of the system be fast and resolving and dynamci enough to push the speed, detail and dynamics through the speakers.

That all sounds like good theory, but is the superiority real? No question about it IME. I've compared high vs. low output versions of the same cartridges from both Benz and ZYX. The differences are always audible, and the better the cartridge the more it seems to matter.

More cost effective? Tough question, and the answers depend not just on one's finances, but also on one's ears and sonic preferences. Those who love rockin' to the solid sound of a good MM might think it a waste of money. Those who get goosebumps from the shocking realism of a great LOMC will gladly spend the money if they can. I don't think anyone could answer this question for anyone but themself.

Doug, my question arose primarily because of the many posters to AA Vinyl Forum who are enamored by relatively inexpensive LOMC Denon and Dynavector cartridges in combination with inexpensive Cinemag step-ups. Though I have not tried such combos, I'm curious whether they represent a free lunch relative to higher output cartridges through all-tube phono sections with moderate gain.

Closer to SOTA, the question comes down to whether very LOMC are best served by step-ups, or by one of the few top SS or hybrid phono stages that can provide circa 70db gain.

Obviously a limited budget must make compromises. Even the best transformer, perfectly tuned, will reduce peak amplitudes, flatten waveforms and lose low level detail; it's an inevitable consequence of passing an electrical signal by induction. OTOH, a HOMC also reduces peak amplitudes, flattens waveforms and loses low level detail, but for mechanical reasons rather than electrical ones. (The third choice, an LOMC + inexpensive active gain device will also compromise the sound, though in different ways depending on the device.)

Which is least bad? As usual, it comes down choosing the sonic compromises which work best for your ears and system. You can do this the easy but potentially expensive way (buy different stuff and compare) or the hard but less expensive way (develop a strong internal sense of what sounds right, figure out why, then move continuously toward equipment that brings you closer to that goal for reasons you understand). There's no prefab answer to your question IMO. :-(

SOTA is a different matter. It cannot be attained with any transformer we've heard (5 or 6 in all). Core saturation is one audible problem, though it can be somewhat reduced with good materials. Ultrasonic ringing and its audible zone harmonics are another, though they can be tamed with a Zoebel network. What can't be eliminated are the reduction in peak amplitudes, flattening of waveforms and loss of low level detail. Once the rest of a system reaches a certain level these effects become noticeable, especially if you have a SOTA high gain phono stage handy to compare.

Hello forum members ,
I built in the best Jensen xformer in my ARC PH 5 as the Dynavector Te Kaitora has to little output . This combination worked out very well in my system .The cartridge sees also a balanced input .
Sphinx PJ 6 ( Dutch brand ,DD with the same motor as the Goldmund studietto ) with Air bearing ET 2.5 arm .
Greetings from the Netherlands , Hans

Doug,at which University have you been studying?...An embarrasing wealth of knowledge,in the best sense!

Hans,nice to hear from another fellow hobbyist..from afar.

Best