Convert cartridge output voltage to db gain

John,

You should be aware that ZYX's output specs for their MC's is not based on the industry standard test record. I lost the reference (I think Nsgarch posted it here once), but from memory you need to multiply ZYX's stated output by ~1.4 to get a spec that's comparable to most other cartridge brands.

For a .24mv UNIverse, the actual output using the industry standard test record would be around .35mv.

FWIW...

Thanks Doug, I don't know if that makes much difference though. It does increase the output voltage from my phono preamp from 0.48V to 0.58V, but that's a relatively small increase compared to the 2.5V that my CDP outputs.

I have read about differences between the two industry standards (CBS and JVC???). I never really delved into it though because the difference seemed rather minor when you're considering the difference in a 0.24 mV output and a 1.25 mV output cartridge. If I do wind up looking for a new cartridge, I can't see considering one with less than a 1.0 mV output regardless of measuring standard.

Cheers,
John

Hi Jmcgrogan2,

I don't have time to run through some of the likely great responses you received on this thread. Holiday activities beckon (happy holidays to all).

In case some of the above advice has you stumped, , I dleve into this issue in a thread on my forum (in the Electronics forum in the Setup and Tweaks section):

http://www.galibierdesign.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35.

There, you'll find a real-world example showing how to use an online dB calculator that I link to. The calculator allows you to go both ways - from dB to step-up ratio as well as the reverse.

Hopefully, this isn't redundant, and if it is ... accept my apologies.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Thanks Thom. Darkmoebius posted a calaculator on his first response on this thread too, It's a little different from yours, but both have their strengths, thank you.

Happy Holidays to all,

John

Hi Jmcgrogan2,

Yes, I hate to post redundant information. Frequently, calculations like this need a working example, and hence the cross-link. Now that I had the opportunity to go through the thread, it looks as if we have everything covered. The posters' names led me to expect this to be the case.

As mentioned above, as well as in my forum thread, sometimes the numbers will show everything to be hunky-dory and yet the system sounds like utter drek - typically due to circuit noise somewhere in the amplification chain.

Sometimes you have a noisy gain stage you can't bypass, and other times you have barely enough gain - a situation where a step-up transformer might bail you out - with some "noise free" gain in the first stage.

The numbers (as usual) are only a starting point, but are(as usual) a useful one.

Happy holidays to all ...

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier