Or, if you can afford the price check out a used Kondo transformer which has all the various loadings/capacitance setting built into the transformer. You can dial in various settings to test with your cartridge. Not cheap, though, at around 2500 and up. At that used price you will have a collectible (Konda San is quite old and I suspect products built by Mr Kondo himself will appreciate in value upon his demise; just a guess) top line transformer that is simply one of the best at any price.
More output from Analog set up, MC Transformer?
I am pretty happy with my set up of Origin Live Oasis S/Illustrious/ Koetsu Rosewood Signature into a Clearaudio Reference phono stage, Conrad johnson Premier 17, Pass labs Aleph 3, Living Voice Avatar speakers, cabling is Acoustic Zen. i am happy with it, but the Clearaudio is rated at 57db of gain and the CJ needs the wick cranked up to 50 to 60/100 for a good output.
The koetsu is rated at .6mv of gain, I am not convinced, I feel it is probably lower. The sound lacks a little oomph. The set up is detailed and polite and that's the way I like it, but the analog sound is a little too polite. I do'nt want to change the basic set up, it makes a great sound, but do you think an MC transformer would give the sound a bit more grunt, if so which? Presumably I only need 10 to 20db of extra gain. Am I completely on the wrong track, looking to a transformer to improve things? Thanks for any advise
The koetsu is rated at .6mv of gain, I am not convinced, I feel it is probably lower. The sound lacks a little oomph. The set up is detailed and polite and that's the way I like it, but the analog sound is a little too polite. I do'nt want to change the basic set up, it makes a great sound, but do you think an MC transformer would give the sound a bit more grunt, if so which? Presumably I only need 10 to 20db of extra gain. Am I completely on the wrong track, looking to a transformer to improve things? Thanks for any advise
- ...
- 27 posts total
Thankyou for the thoughtful responses and keep them coming. The Kondo is out of my price range, the Bentaudio Mu, sounds interesting, have you any more info about it, price website, etc. As you say Dougdeacon, I did'nt buy the Koetsu to blow my socks off, but a bit more dynamism would'nt go amiss. For your info, I usually play my tuner at about 22 and my Shanling CD at 30 to 35 |
David12, I wish I could afford to try a Kondo too! You'll find the Mu and other stuff on BentAudio's website. John Chapman is a great guy to deal with. http://www.bentaudio.com Since you're playing line level sources at so much lower levels, it seems even more likely that more gain will improve the dynamics of your vinyl front end. |
The trannies Bent uses are very good (Stevens & Billington). Are you sure the cartridge loading is correct? I assume you've already tried a higher setting, etc, but thought I'd mention it. |
- 27 posts total