I agree with Al's math but my gut (+ experience) tells me that the 2nd approach of a series R is the more evil of the 2 since by forcing this tiny signal to flow through a series R you are dividing the incoming voltage by 2:3 after stepping it up 17:1 = about 11:1.
At that point I think an xformer with the 10:1 ratio is a better option.
If your gain structure is good with the 17:1 then I would definitely try changing the internal R to a larger value. It says 100K max but I doubt 120K would affect anything other than the input impedance and (as Al pointed out) the bigger the input R the more potential for noise.
A good MM cartridge is also a good option or high output MC designed to work into 47K. Did you buy this preamp new? All of this assumes that somebody along the line didn't change the value of the input R to something other than 47K.
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At that point I think an xformer with the 10:1 ratio is a better option.
If your gain structure is good with the 17:1 then I would definitely try changing the internal R to a larger value. It says 100K max but I doubt 120K would affect anything other than the input impedance and (as Al pointed out) the bigger the input R the more potential for noise.
A good MM cartridge is also a good option or high output MC designed to work into 47K. Did you buy this preamp new? All of this assumes that somebody along the line didn't change the value of the input R to something other than 47K.
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