Looking for phono stage with adjustable load settings for MM and MC cartridges

[The Mighty Quinn]

Hello Everyone

As the title says, I am looking for a phono stage that has adjustable impedance and capacitance for MM and MC cartridges. I have learned recently about the importance of loading on cartridge sound. So far I have found many with adjustable loads for MC cartridges, but relatively few for MM cartridges. So far, the Creek Windsor ($2,500) and the Musical Surroundings Supernova II ($3,200) are the cheapest I have found. While the Musical Surroundings appears to have continuously variable impedance from 30 ohms to 100 kohms, the Creek can be toggled between 33 kohms and 47 kohms....so fairly limited adjustability for MM cartridges. Both the Creak and the Musical Surroundings have other features that I don't really need, and both cost more than I was hoping to spend.

So, am I missing any phono stages in the $1k to $2k price range that have good adjustability for loading MM and MC cartridges, but perhaps without the extra features that the Creek and Musical Surroundings have?

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Cheers,
Quinn

[Sand Dancin Donkey Walker]

Hi Quinn

Take a look at the Audio Valve Sunilda, expensive new, but if you can find a used one they are a great phono stage.
I used a Sunilda for quite a few years, and would if needed buy another.
The Sunilda has adjustable load and capacitance and is MM / MC

Another good choice would be a Modwright Instruments SWP 9.0 se (this is the one I currently use)
This is adjustable for load and is MM / MC

http://www.hxos.gr/upload/images/1199894167.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=I0YkyDytycXz5M&tbnid=XkD8oCwti-IELM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxos.gr%2Fshow_page.php%3Fpag e_id%3D1975%26cat_id%3D31&ei=f0vuUr36N-jI0AX4o4DQDQ&psig=AFQjCNGx5Z6Ilb8uiR3l1WQhCtAC76iAhw&ust=1391434879966911)

Andy - SDDW

[paskinn]

Yes, I agree about the Sunilda; unusually flexible, with adjustments for both mm and mc, plus two separate inputs. And more importantly, they sound excellent. Prices in the USA sem quite high, but a second hand one could be a fine choice.
One other point. Don't assume that all the 'audio guru' stuff about the vital role of minor loading changes is true...audio people exaggerate.

[NRG]

Quinn, do you know of any electronics engineers or a dealer that could change the loading on the stage you already have? It may save you quite a bit of cash.

Have you see this thread? Gives you the loading you require for a flat response:

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/ortofon-2m-black-frequency-response-charts.312499/

[anubisgrau]

Until a year ago I had Pass Pearl MM with ONO MC stage. Both has unbelievable number of options for tuning everything you will ever need on both levels like capacitance of MM stage or impedance of MC stage. The second has several hundreds settings of dip switches resulting in 5-1000ohm impedance range if i remember correctly and can work with signal as low as 0.05mV (so it can cope with AN IO range)

It was a DIY unit (and DIY project overall) but all the pieces I've seen were made as pro as possible as the boards were made by Pass/Coburn people hence a good QC.

If you want it factory made than it's Pass XONO. I think it goes for around $2000 used in the states, plus it's fully balanced, mine was ONO (unbalanced).

Here's the one I sold.

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?82842-FS-Phono-preamp-PASS-PEARL-ONO-MM-MC

[The Mighty Quinn]

Quinn, do you know of any electronics engineers or a dealer that could change the loading on the stage you already have? It may save you quite a bit of cash.

Have you see this thread? Gives you the loading you require for a flat response:

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/ortofon-2m-black-frequency-response-charts.312499/

Yup, definitely saw that thread. It was the one that started me down this path of looking for phono stages with adjustable loads. You actually pointed me to a thread on PFM in a different thread, which has a link to the Steve Hoffman forum. I thought it was going to be easy, but the options for the MM cartridges with adjustable loading are pretty limited in my price range, at least from what I have been able to find.

With regards to finding a EE, I know several. If I was keeping my Rotel pre-amp I would definitely do it, but I have a new PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium integrated coming. I did spend the extra $200 on phono stage for the PrimaLuna, but it has a fixed 47 kohm impedance.

I always intended to get a separate phono stage anyway, and now is as good of a time as any. But I really want to get the right phono stage that is flexible in case I decide to move away from the Ortofon 2M Black to an MC cartridge some day.

Now, the Creek Windsor would do the trick. It has impedance options of 33 kohms and 47 kohms. I have been reading up on it and is seems like a great phono stage, but I don't really need the programability or the ability to remember different cartridge loading options, so I would rather not spend the extra money.

Cheers,
Quinn

[The Mighty Quinn]

Thanks for the recommendation of the Audiovalve Sunilda guys. It looks great, but I am not really sure I understand why you think the loading is so flexible for MM cartridges. Here's what I get from what I have been reading online. The unit has four rotaries, two per input, that set capacitance of 0, 100, 220 or 470pf and impedance of 47, 100, 220, 470, 1k and 47k ohms. So if I have an MM cartridge that might like a 33 kohm load, how can I achieve this with the Sunilda?

Thanks again for your help!

Cheers,
Quinn

[CageyH]

I'm using a Graham Slee Reflex M, to which I am adding the Elevator Exp.
I have read nothing but good reports on this combination.

[Ubik]

Is the one just below their top model. Sounds amazing and highly underrated. I can tell you is not far from a Pass Xono, that costs much more.
can even set cable capacitance for MM cartridges and for MC you just insert the resistance you want. You are not limited !
trust your hears !

[337alant]

Quinn
These are supposed to be excellent and very flexible on loading selection
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Musical-Fidelity-M1-VINL-USED-/291063844964?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item43c4c1d064
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/m1vinyl/
Alan

[stevied]

Hi Quinn

Take a look at the Audio Valve Sunilda, expensive new, but if you can find a used one they are a great phono stage.
I used a Sunilda for quite a few years, and would if needed buy another.
The Sunilda has adjustable load and capacitance and is MM / MC

Another good choice would be a Modwright Instruments SWP 9.0 se (this is the one I currently use)
This is adjustable for load and is MM / MC

http://www.hxos.gr/upload/images/1199894167.jpg (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=I0YkyDytycXz5M&tbnid=XkD8oCwti-IELM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hxos.gr%2Fshow_page.php%3Fpag e_id%3D1975%26cat_id%3D31&ei=f0vuUr36N-jI0AX4o4DQDQ&psig=AFQjCNGx5Z6Ilb8uiR3l1WQhCtAC76iAhw&ust=1391434879966911)

Andy - SDDW

Audiovalve Sunilda used one for years, need never change,great if you have a turntable with two arms mounted!

[Andrei]

Check out the ifi iphono. MM, MC and 10,000 other options. It is good out of the box. After run-in keep it (and the power supply / cord) away from other electronics and you have an real corker.