2. analog
  3. 1245322915

Dedicated phono-pre for MM only?

Hi All,
the subject of phono-pres, specifically 'adapted' to MM came up in some related postings.

IF, and only if, MMs are much to ones liking --- why spend your buck on some 'halve backed' 60dB plus, MC gain requirement, stage? Why not consider put the $$$ into a TOP 40dB gain stage of either SS or tube?

Raul had more thoughs on the subject as he mentioned before, and might share, why he knows that a TOP MM compared to MC stage circuit requirement might NOT be -one suit fits all-.

There could even be a nice argument to fit a tube gain stage only into an otherwise SS only system!?

Again, the $buck saved on the 20dB plus circuitry could be translated into the BEST circuit for an MM.
I realise, that most such stages were simply fitted inside some older TOP pre-amps, (e.g. Jadis...).
I have not come across a **dedicated** , current 40dB stage neither in nor outside a pre-amp.

Thank you,
Axel
axelwahl
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Dear Lewm: That's right, if I need a different load impedance then I soldered a new resistor value, no switch. Normaly almost all the LOMC cartridges comes with a very low internal resistance where 100 Ohms can cope all them. The other subject is that due to the Ponolinepreamplifier characteristics you don't need to change the load impedance, only in extreme very extreme cases.

Lewm, one way or the other normaly a switch makes a degradation to the cartridge signal so you have to make a decision on trade-offs between quality or convenience, we choose for quality performance.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
lewm
13,160 posts
 
Raul, Just another one of life's compromises.

Kirkus, Would you care to comment in more detail on your earlier statement that a balanced input is per se not ideal for an MM cartridge? At least I think that is what you meant to say.

By the way, thanks largely to Kirkus' input I am beginning to learn some things about MM phono stages and phono stages in general that I did not know.
tketcham
291 posts
 
This thread has been informative and I'm better understanding some of the nuances of phono stage design, both MM and MC architecture.

And I'm beginning to see the value in having a dedicated MC phono preamplifier if LOMC cartridges are preferred. Why bother with 40 dB gain and 47K loading for MM cartridges. The design would, at most, have binding posts to change loading resistors. Being able to change the amplification (gain) would be handy but not necessary if the output voltages of the preferred cartridges were within a fairly close range.

Is such a phono preamplifier available?

Tom
tketcham
291 posts
 
Oops. Meant to include a thank you to Axel and Lewm for answering with understandable information. And Axel, I didn't intend to sidetrack the thread with my question about dedicated MC phono preamps. Just seemed like a similar question in that having phono stages designed specifically for the type of cartridge engine makes sense.

What I'm not sure about is whether you'd be able to hear the difference (as Lewm suggests) between a dedicated minimalist design vs a preamp with variable gain/loading options. I often read that it does make a difference, that having switches or plugs or jumpers degrades the signal, but as Lewm also suggests, if the problem is that noticeable, why do even high end manufacturers provide gain/loading flexibility in their phono preamps?

Tom
axelwahl OP
788 posts
 
Hi Tom,
you say:
>>> Just seemed like a similar question in that having phono stages designed specifically for the type of cartridge engine makes sense. <<<

I have the idea that Raul will be the person to explain to you in his words why he has opted for two **dedicated** phono-pre option in his 3160 and NOT a one-serves-all (just with a jumper to switch from 40 to 60dB).

Having read all my and Kirkus' comments should have made the point, but let's see if Raul can put it into a 'nut-shell' for us.

Greetings,
Axel
More to discover