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How important is ext. adj. for cartridge loading

Hello Folks,

A New Phono Preamplifier will soon be introduced - MSRP around $1750 - $2000

A small "focus group" questionnaire - On a Phono Preamplifier how important is it to you that MC cartridge loading is adjustable from the front panel of the amplifier? How often do you "fiddle" around with loading ? Enough to warrant the cost increase, probably about $200 for the additional switches faceplate machining etc. pricing the preamp towards the higher end of projected price?

Same goes for MM/MC switching Would external selection be preferable to a internal Jumper setting ?

Is a MUTE function desirable on the front panel as well?

MC loading is at 100, 220, 330, 500 Ohms and 47K Ohms, do you think these are OK or would you like other values?

We have designed the unit so it can be used as a fully differential unit as well with one balanced input and one balanced output, you'd need two of them for stereo, do you find this desirable? Would you prefer this mode of operation to be selectable from the outside (switch on back) or would internal jumper selection be enough?

Thanks in advance for your thought on these questions

Peter
128x128pbnaudio
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Hi Peter-
I pretty much agree w Viridian.
Front panel switchable loading for MC would be great.
If X-former MC, then I would recommend post for easily
insertable resistors to set loading precisely.
Internal jumper for balanced/SE (or maybe rear panel
toggle switch)
I personally do not need nor do I envision needing 2 or
more phono inputs, but a rear panel switch for
mm/mc OR separate input jacks for mm and mc is good.
Hopefully we have not blown the budget ;~)
dgarretson
2,597 posts
 
Peter,

At that price point I would prefer the money invested in higher quality piece parts. However front panel or even remote control adjustable loading is becoming de rigueur at higher price point(e.g. Manley and ARC Ref phono.)

For MM/MI consider load options 47K>100K. These higher-than-spec values can sound much better with some MM-- and very few if any manufacturers understand this.

Regards,

Dave
hesson11
237 posts
 
Front-panel switching would be a huge influence for me to buy the preamp. Worth the price difference. If I had several candidates that were otherwise nearly equal, this would swing your unit into favor, for sure.

I'd also scrap the balanced option and replace it with multiple gain settings instead of just mm/mc switching.

One suggestion: Do a search of the various analog forums for "Mono." See all those posts? Put a mono switch on it instead of the mute. Mono shall rise again!

=Bob
samhar
1,048 posts
 
Peter,

I would like 1k loading and a mute switch on the front. The rest are conveniences and at this price point I'd rather have higher quality parts for the small hassle of rear or internal adjustments.
lewm
13,018 posts
 
100R, 1K, 47K, 100K resistive loading, switchable from the front or rear panel. There is really not much difference in sound for loads between 100R and 1k, IMO. You could add 10K, if space permitted.
Switchable capacitative loading would be nice too, for MMs. For example, zero, 100pF, 250pF.
Switchable phono gain, between, e.g., 40 to 50db and 58 to 65db, would be icing on the cake.
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