SUT/Phono stage for DL103

[hoopsontoast]

Edit - Sort of Sorted now :)

Well I plugged the DL103 in and sounds good, but even with the MC setting on my Rotel RQ-970BX its still very low output.
I gather I may need a Step Up Transformer, or an adjustable gain Phono-Stage.

I heard a Audiolab 8000PPA today and thought that sounded really good! Flexible too!

I have no idea what I am looking at, any tips pointers?

Oh and budget is not much really, only around £150 atm really

Thanks, Rob

[John]

I was about to put my SUT on ebay works really well with the Denon 103 with a MC phonostage
Audio Inovations 800

[hoopsontoast]

What SUT is that?

[John]

As the name says; its ideal for the 103 as adds 3x or 10x to the the signal so helping the cart to match the phono I use it on 10 on mine and get great results but moving to a different cart so no longer will need it

[hoopsontoast]

I must have missed it, but what SUT do you have? I gather its the Audio Innovations Phono amp?

[chelsea]

Ai 800 is the step up rob.

[Mika K]

Silvercore SUT model one to ten might do the trick.

[hifi_dave]

I was about to put my SUT on ebay works really well with the Denon 103 with a MC phonostage
Audio Inovations 800

Excellent MC step-up which works very well with a wide range of cartridges. If that's in the OP's price range it should be snapped up. IMO

[John]

The SUT is 1 to 10 and 1 to 3

[hoopsontoast]

Thanks, I could only find the AI 800 series pre-amps :)

[topoxforddoc]

I’ve got an 80s vintage Trio/Kenwood KHA-50 MC Head Amplifier (active gain NOT SUT) which will take the 0.3mV DL103 output to about 6mV. Minimum input sensitivity is 0.1mV at 100 ohms. This was designed to suit all the MC cartridges available in the 8os inc SPUs, EMT, FR-1 III, AT carts etc. This is boxed and in good condition (I can email you pics later). It’s sitting around at home unused, so I could let you have it for £150, if you’re interested. I’m in Cheltenham, so please feel free to come and collect (and have a listen to my system too).

Charlie
topoxforddoc@btinternet.com

[hoopsontoast]

Thanks for the offer, do I use the KHA-50 instead of the Rotel RQ-970BX or does it go in front of it like a SUT?

How is a 'MC Head Amp' different to a normal MC Phono Stage?

Sorry about all the questions, it was easier with a MM and MM Phono Stage ;)

[topoxforddoc]

Rob,
Any step up device (transformer or head amplifier) goes between your cartridge and the MM phono stage of your Rotel. You can’t put a SUT or Head Amp straight into a line level input as line inputs have no RIAA correction built in (unlike MM phono stages)
Charlie

[hoopsontoast]

Thanks very much. :)

I have actually had a play this morning, and stuck my old Sony TA-F670ES in place of the Rotel and using is as both general Pre-Amp and Phono stage, and it works a lot better with the 103.
The Sure M97xE I have worked a lot better with the Rotel, where as the DL103 sounds a LOT better with the Sony using the MC input.

I dont think I will need a SUT or Head Amp straight away now.

Thanks for all the help though chaps. :)

[ninedecks]

I can recommend '949person' on ebay who manufactured a phono specifically for my Denon 103. he makes 'Angle Audio' phono products. Mine is for low output MC of 0.15, it sounds great.
Extremely good value for the money, also offers rechargeable battery power.
I think he starts at £70 upwards.
Dave