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Phono preamp with two inputs: two MMs or MM+MC?

These days many phono preamps with one input support both MM and MC. Those with two inputs have one MM and one MC input. It means that those phono preamps have an SUT or some sort of amplification built inside the unit.
Such phono preamps would cost more compared to those that support MM input(s) only.
Is it a trend for phono preamps to have switchable MM/MC input? According to my experience with two turntables or two tonearms (one with MM and one with MC), it is a nuisance to change cables whenever I change from MM to MC or vice vursa.
Also, I have an SUT for MC cartridges and I don't need a direct MC input, so phono preamps with two inputs (MM and MC) are useless for me. I would assume that there are a lot of users with multiple turntables with MC and MM cartridges who prefer SUTs over built in amplification. For those users, isn't it make more sense to make phono preamps with multiple (two or three) MM inputs only?
128x128ihcho
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 
The Herron VTPH-2 has enough gain for a 0.1mV cart.
lewm
12,994 posts
 
Just for completeness, I would add that the K&K Maxx'd Out can be configured for MM or MC or both with two pairs of inputs. Price well under $3K. The MC inputs would feed a pair of Lundahl SUTs, I think. I don't own one; nor do I have any affiliation.
boofer
86 posts
 
My Rega Aria, about $1500, has both MM and MC phono inputs, and I have 2 turntables always plugged in, one with a MM cartridge, the other with LOMC cartridge. Works great!
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Well, my posting was more like why there are only a few (or even close to none) phono preamps that support two MMs with no MC support. Why not let people use their favorite SUTs for their MC cartridges with MM only phono pre?
Supporting both MM and MC will make it much more expensive than just two MMs.
I may be wrong, but I think Bob's device SUT or Live! 10-MC (both cost a bit over $1000) with MM phono preamps (at around $1000) would perform better than phono preamps with both MM and MC inputs that cost around $2000.
Adding one more MM input and a selector for two MMs would not add much cost.
lewm
12,994 posts
 
Ihcho, My point was that the K&K can be configured any way you want it, with two MM inputs or one of each. I probably was not clear about that.
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