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Thread: optimum gain setting

  1. #1
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default optimum gain setting

    would someone care to advise on the best gain setting for my technics mc cartridge with a output of 0.2mv and 30ohms impedance please?
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: London

    Posts: 685
    I'm James.

    Default

    No experience of the cart but on paper a 10:1 will give near ideal impedance matching, a 15:1 will give near ideal gain, assuming standard 47k mm input impedance. If your phono belts out music (like my Vinyl 1) then I'd opt for 10:1, but it will depend on personal preference as much as anything.

    Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    my options are,
    denon head amp, 24db and 32 db,into mm stage at 2.4mv/47kohms
    my pre amp has a mc stage with 200 ohms/23db,100ohms/30db and 50ohms/34db

    i also have 33k loading resistors to bung into the mix.lol
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  4. #4
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    so far using the head amp at 24db sounds best to me,i wonder if that concurs with the maths?
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  5. #5
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

    Default

    Yes I think that would be the best. The MM stage is fairly sensitive so using 24dB in the head amp will give you a bit more headroom for transients.

    Nice set-up

  6. #6
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    thanks alan,im glad my ears are leading my in the right direction..........finally!
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  7. #7
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    How are you getting on with the 305MC Jamie?

  8. #8
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    its very good geoff,im liking it a lot,it has a very forward stylus angle though,it reminds me of the decca's angle.
    it doesn't beat my 103 in the mid areas but excels higher up.
    im not sure of the hours its got on it so perhaps i will consider a check up/re tip in the future.
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: London, Canada

    Posts: 189
    I'm Blake.

    Default

    I would also be giving straight into your preamp MC setting 200 ohms/23 dB a serious long term audition as well. That should be pretty close to ideal (arguably a 300 ohm load might be considered better/ideal but I doubt there would be much in it) as well with almost exactly the same gain structure as using the head amp and eliminate a set of interconnects and possibly unnecessary connections.

    The phono stage in your preamp has a very good pedigree.

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