which is better ? MC phono stage or MM+step-up ?

If you have a low output cartridge, the phono cable will need a good 200 hours. Its best if you don't disturb it!

Thanks Ralph. I assume you mean not to move it or even touch it? If I left the system turned on,even though there is nothing playing on the TT, would this help in the break in?

Once again, thanks for all the great advice and knowledge base.

side bar for Atmos: Would your big OTL work with my Acoustats?

e

Yes- don't move the wire. It only breaks in with a signal though it. There are break-in boxes made for that that can speed things up.

We have a number of customers using Acoustats. I've heard a few of them with our amps over the years. They are not hard to drive but some of them have very low impedance, so depending on the model, you may need to use a set of ZEROs http://www.zeroimpedance.com

In one system that I was very familiar with, the Acoustats were so low impedance that the ZEROs were needed for the Audio Research that the guy owned, IOW the ARC would not drive the speaker right even on the 4-ohm tap. The ZEROs can be a real problem solver!

Thanks guys for the advice. I have the Acoustat model 2 which has a nominal load of 6ohms.
From what I have read of the Atmos 140watt OTLs it sounds like what I want when I go back to work. I would love to hear them. Whatever I get it, is going to be tubes.
This recession s__ks!
I have read about the zero's but never heard them.Do they have much of a sonic signature? I imagine since they are passive it is minimal.
I use Paul's speaker cables and they are great.I love the fact that you can but first class sounding cables that don't cost more than a amplifier.I think the cable business could be the death of the hobby.Cables and Stones=snake oil.
Not that I don't believe that cables can make a difference,quite the contrary.But the margin on some of the stuff out there is grossly disgusting.Paul offers great sounding products for very reasonable prices.
The other cables I use are Mike Morrow's interconnects.These cables are terrific! If you have not heard them you should. And very reasonable.

Discalimer: Mike is a friend and in our club.

Once again, I can't thank you pros enough.My DIY projects have really come along nicely.And you guys and others have been a big help.

After a week of playing a lot of records (the best part about unemployment) the cable is starting to sound much better.
With that I have made a newer one.

My friend Mike Morrow gave me some mil-spec. 30ga. silver solid wire, which I have just made a new cable of.
Right out of the gate it blew the Cardas in the weeds!

smoother,more refined,nuanced, lower sound floor, much more and tighter bass. I can only imagine how it will sound after burn in.

more DIY fun

e