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No. 26 - MM or MC board?

Hi - I am trying a ML 26 preamp w/phono stage in my system, (Denon 103R cart.). I set the gain internal switch to 58dB or 38db and cartridge gain to 100 Ohms which I beleive is the recommended load for the Denon (instruction come in Japanesse so I can´t tell).

The point is that eventhough sound level is acceptable at the 1 o´clock position in the volume knob, there is not enough dynamics compared to the line level input (CDP in this case) and far from my previous Michael Yee phono preamp signal.

Could it be that this particular No. 26 has a MM board?
The 100 ohm setting is wrong for the Danon 103r?

Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge here.

Fernando
flg2001
flg2001's avatar
flg2001 OP
543 posts
 
Raul - I would love to go for something better and more expensive, but to my ears this preamp (ML 26) sounds very nice with my current setup, at my room and with my music. This is a never-ending story of buy-sell-buy iterations.

To move to this preamp will have a marginal cost and a large sonic benefit (for the line stage side), the analog section has a nice presentation, very musical as well.

As for the cartirdge, you know I have had larger and more expensive ones (VdH, Cardas, etc..) my current financial situation asks me to look for a wise investment, the Denon has fullfilled that expectation.

Sure, next step will surely be a better preamp (First Sound, CAT to name just two) and a better cartridge (Shelter, Benz for example).

At this time, I just want to have my current setup in optimal settings.

Fernando
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear Fernando: You already have what you can. Great, no problem at all.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Fernando: Reading again your last post, I can see that you really like the ML 26 and this fact is the important point not what I think about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001 OP
543 posts
 
Diggin´deeper in this issue, it looks like this No 26 does have a MM board. So my choices are:

1.- Install my Cotter step-up to the Denon and try from there, or

2.- Get a new MM cartridge (I read that the Music Maker cart is pretty impresive)

What do you (all) think?

Fernando
twl
3,251 posts
 
If your MM board has 38db gain, even the addition of your Cotter probably will not get you quite enough gain for the DL103R. But it might be close to enough, if your linestage section has 20db or more gain.

Regarding the phono cartridge re-think, that would probably be more practical, but we'd have to know what arm and table you are using, and your budget, to make any recommendations.

A Music Maker works well in a lower mass tonearm, such as a Hadcock. It may not do quite as well in a heavier arm.
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