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low output MC phono preamp for Audio Research pre

I have auditioned and am considering trying an Audio Research sp16 pre-amp in my system.

The one snag is that I use a low output moving coil cartridge, a Denon DL103R in my system and need an affordable phono pre-amp solution in that the phono pre-amp built into the sp16 does not provide sufficient gain.

One possibility that my dealer is investigating is if AR can do a step-up tweak to the sp16.

If that does not work out, an external phono preamp that matches well to the Denon DL103R is the other solution.

Any suggestions on which phono pre-amps offer good sound at reasonable price and can work with the DL103R and an Audio Research sp16?

Does Audio Research provide a phono pre-amp that works well with low output MC cartridges? I would probably be content sticking with a pure ARC solution if I can find one.

Thanks.
128x128mapman
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,396 posts
 
Output is ~ .25 mV.

Unconfirmed things I've read in other threads n this site indicate a gain of 58db or greater is needed.

My current Carver c-9 pre-amp has an input sensitivity of ~ .7 mV I believe and does very well with the Denon DL103R. It achieves realistic volumes with the volume at ~50-60% gain.

It also has switchable impedance settings for MC cartridges. I am using the higher impedance setting of ~ 100 ohm, I believe, with the Denon. This provides very clean poerful and tight bass compared to the lower impedance setting where the bas becomes more poorly defined and less distinguishable.

The AR SP-16 barely achieved realistic volumes running full out with volume at max. I must say however that even at this level, the noise floor was extremely low and very impressive and the sound was very impressive, tight and clean with lots of natural detail and an overall flow that was exceptionally easy on the ears.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,396 posts
 
Sorry, its a Carver c-6, not c-9.

I've had the beast for so long (almost 20 years) that I always seem to get the model # wrong.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,396 posts
 
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/product.asp?itemid=441

Anyone have experience using the above referenced Musical Fidelity phono pre with a DL103R or something similar?

I like my Musical Fidelity A3CR amp very much and think I could probably live with a MF phono section as well assuming it is a good fit.

I also see on their website that MF has a new V series phone pre-amp coming out in December. Anybody know anything about that?
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Mapman, if the SP-16 has 54dB total gain from phono input to main preamp output, then you only need +24dB added gain to get to 2V.

There are some good choices in MC stepup transformers that would do the trick for lot less than $1k.

Look for ones like these Altec/Peerless, UTC, etc.that have been mounted in cases for easy use.
mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,396 posts
 
Darkmoebius,

How are you doing my friend?

I'm still working on this pre-amp deal. Thanks for feeding me tips!

Do these stepup transformers affect the resulting sound quality typically in your experience, or are the better ones able to just stay out of the way and boost the signal with no ill effects?

I've heard various opinions on this topic but have little practical experience by which to judge.
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