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gcph phono stage gain settings

i just bought a ps audio gcph and i'm using it with an mm cartridge that is rated at 3.3mV (clearaudio virtuoso). i have to have the input gain on the back panel turned all the way up to 66, the highest setting, to get decent volume, and even then i have to have the output gain knob on the front of the unit turned to 1 o'clock. this goes against what the manual says, namely that for mm cartridges the input gain on the back should be at the lowest setting.

i'm concerned that if i ever get an mc cartridge with 1/10 the output of my current cartridge, the gcph will not be able to handle it.

does anyone with a gcph and an mm cartridge need to turn the input gain to the highest setting? what are your experiences?

thanks in advance!
tanglewood
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Tanglewood:
I think in fairness to PS Audio, you also can connect the unit straight to a power amp. I have done that too, but preferred going true my Levinson 326S after all.
If you connect it straight to a power amp, it will start to make sense why it works that way. It's a good attenuator from 0 all the way up, and 1:00 will be about where it is at elevated room spl -- depending on your cart of course. Going into a pre-amp it's 3:00pm and not 1:00pm, at least in my experience... :-)
A.
tanglewood OP
43 posts
 
thanks axel.

and i did not mean to be critical of the gcph in general--i thought that perhaps my particular unit has a defect (it is b-stock). but it seems from your response that it is working as intended.

j
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Hi,
y.s.: >> (it is b-stock) <<
What makes it b-stock? I only know the answer to such in the shoe industry and there it'd mean some blemish/mark with the finish. You’d still get 2 soles and 2 laces, upper, insoles etc. :-)
So it maybe a scratch or such?
A.
Post removed 
axelwahl
788 posts
 
Viridian
this box has only 4 settings: 47k, 1k, 500ohm and 100ohm. I guess that should settle it in any case, as there is NO 47ohm.
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