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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
daverz
487 posts
 
A MONO switch also reduces surface noise greatly when using a stereo cart on mono records.

For the loading options, I find flexibility more important than convenience. The phono board in my BAT has plugs to allow me to use any resistors I want for loading.
ponnie
233 posts
 
Years ago (25 yrs. ago) when I bought my first really good preamp I had a PS Audio IVH. Remember the resistors you placed a certain value into the sockets to tailor the sound of the cartridge you were using. That was a very useful feature. It was my first time being exposed to it. I remember setting the loading on my Talisman S MC cartridge and It embarrased many more expensive cartridges during that time. I have had several other preamps over the years with and without loading cababilites and I did not have that success. I prefer some degree of
control or loading when using different cartridges. Some settings will brighten your sound and some would flaten your sound but there would always be a setting that was neutral and the sound simply played music perfectly.

So at least 60 db of gain, cartridge loading and cable resistance is important to me.
DB Audio makes a box that does just this at a very reasonable price. It was featured in one of the major stereo magazines this year I think Stereophile. Just my little old opinion.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio OP
1,613 posts
 
Hello Folks

Seems like a LOT of features are wanted, so if we made the Phono Preamp with 5 adjustments/ selectors on the front panel as follows

1. Mute / Operate / Mono

2. Impedance 25, 50, 100, 500, 1K, 10K, 22K, 33K, 47K, 100KOhms

3. Capacitive Load 0, 50, 100, 150, 220, 330pF

4. Gain 40, 44, 48, 60, 64, 68dB

5. Input 1 / 2

Would that meet most folks requirements - and would a $2500 price point make you vote for it with your pocket book too ?

Peter
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Peter, I'm happy with my Rhea, but that sure sounds like an attractive phonostage. Dave
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drrsutliff
863 posts
 
You seem to have covered all requests and indicated what they would cost. IMHO the real question is your last one stated i.e. the pocket book vote. Going back to your original high quality sound minimal extras may actually target a buying segment better than catering to all wishes. Possible RCA plug loading options for the back, MM/MC switch, and internal capacitance or a set single capacitance and just focus on the sound. The sound quality is what will be talked about and shared, leading ultimately to us parting with what is in our pocket books.
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