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Low output moving coil cartridge

I have been wanting to try a low output moving coil cartridge so I just made a purchase. I have an Audio Research SP14 pre with a built in phono stage. I am currently using a cartridge with an output of .5mv and the highest volume level I ever needed is around 12;00- 1;00 position. The cartridge I just purchased has an output of .28mv. The current amp I am using is rated at 30 wpc driving my Klipshorns. I also have an Audio Research 60 wpc amp. My question is, do you think I can substitute the extra power from the ARC to make up for the lower cartridge output? By the way, Klipsch states 100 watt RMS on their Khorns.
markpao
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Mapman-your cart output may be similar, but another quick search shows the SP-16 with a 55db phono stage gain. i.e., your preamp is different than the OP's, at least in regard to the gain at the phono stage. I have a lot of experience with the D103 variants with many phono stages, and it's true that 55db is marginal-though workable. 66db, however, is fine and jim-dandy, and I'd wager the OP will have no issues.
depotec
19 posts
 
Johnbrown, what phono stages have you used for your DL-103?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,326 posts
 
Johnbrown,

I agree 66db should work pretty well. Thanks for pointing that out!
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Depotec-

Let's see, top of the head...

a) AcousTech PH1-P

b) Steelhead Phono Pre

c) EAR 834P

d) Klyne 7Px2

d) the phono pre inboard on my BAT 3xi

All the outboards bested the BAT (as to be expected). I kept the Klyne and the EAR, but if I had to have just one I'd prefer the Klyne-but I've yet to try some good SUTs with the EAR, which is supposed to be a big improvement.

In the Denon 103 world I've got the 103, 103r, 103r w/VdH type 1 rebuild, and a ZU 103r. At some point I'll have SoundSmith rebuild one of them, and I also want to try a 'Uwe' Panzerholz body.
markpao OP
520 posts
 
Thanks guy's for the great responses. I keep learning from your valuable information. I am looking forward for the arrival of my new cartridge for some experimentation. I am still a little puzzled as to how a more powerful amp will not help the gain situation. Are you saying that if I have the 30 watt amp hooked up with the .5mv cart and I have a comfort listening level at say 12:00 position on the control, then I switch amps to the 60 watt (with the same .5mv cart), that I will NOT have to turn the volume control down somewhat to achieve the same listening level?
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