Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

onhwy61, That was a good question and I was pondering upon it myself too.
What cartridge would I get, if I go for the coincident.

I know cartridges are a world in itself. I would just start with the most inexpensive MC cartridge that would be compatible with the Concept turnarm.

I do not know what that would be. My best guess right now is Sumiko Bluepoint evo 3. Since the dealer from whom I bought the TT (used), suggested it.

Metralla,
Here is another way I look at my system.
I have been looking and its very hard to find an EAR 834P used (They have come up only 3 times in the 3 months)

Buying one new = $2000 (with taxes)
Sell it down the road -> $1000 loss
OR
sell the Triode ($2000) + $2500 = Coincident Phono
Risk is that Coincident Phono does have a great line stage as stereomojo suggests. And i have to get a line stage down the road for my digital.

Essrand, just as with moving magnet cartridges, the Sumiko Blue Point Evo III moving coil cartridge is not compatible with the Coincident Statement Phono Stage. Its output is too high (2.5 mv), and it requires a 47K load, which the Coincident does not provide. You need a low output moving coil cartridge if you want to use that phono stage.

Regards,
-- Al

Al is corect regarding cartridge criteria with the Coincident.

Hey Al, Doesn't the Coincident have a built-in SUT, and is there not the possibility to bypass the SUT, if you have an MM? I guess not, based on what you wrote. I am quite surprised.

Hi Lew,

Yes, it is described as using a SUT, and I'd imagine that it could be bypassed internally and a suitable resistive termination put in place. But it seems clear from the description that internal modifications would be required, and I doubt that many of us would want to do that to such a special piece. Or even have Israel do that, if in fact he would be willing to.

And of course the mod would have to be undone later if the OP eventually goes to a LOMC, unless the design were further modified with the addition of a switch and wiring changes, the result very conceivably being a signal path that is compromised to some degree.

I suppose also that an external SUT could be purchased and used in the reverse direction, to reduce the voltage and increase the load impedance. But that doesn't seem to make much sense either, sonically or financially.

My basic feeling, fwiw, is that something as special as this piece should be kept in stock form, and used as its designer intended.

Best regards,
-- Al