However, The Steelhead does have an attenuator, so I am surprised that with 65 dB, you can't drive your amps satisfactorily. Your amps must have low sensitivity(2V?) a. I run a Groove (65dB) direct into my Thor amps via a passive attenuator. Unless you are using a MC into MM inputs...
Low output MC - Math Question ??
Calculators Ready... I'm presently using a low output- .3mV
MC cartridge with the Manley Steelhead phono stage. I prefer the sound of the cartridge thru the MM section (no step-up transformer) to the MC section w/ step-up. The MM section has a maximum gain of 65db. However, there is not enough gain in the MM section to allow me to run the Steelhead direct into the amps, so I must use a pre-amp (ARC REF 2Mk.1 w/ 18db gain) to achieve the correct gain structure. BTW- This combo sound pretty good! Now the Math Question- What is the relationship between cartridge output and db gain? Specifically how high of a cartridge output would I need to run into the Steelhead MM section set a 65db gain to realize 80+db of total gain, so as to have enough gain to drive the amps directly??? Hopefully I have not oversimplified this equation because of a lack of information.
MC cartridge with the Manley Steelhead phono stage. I prefer the sound of the cartridge thru the MM section (no step-up transformer) to the MC section w/ step-up. The MM section has a maximum gain of 65db. However, there is not enough gain in the MM section to allow me to run the Steelhead direct into the amps, so I must use a pre-amp (ARC REF 2Mk.1 w/ 18db gain) to achieve the correct gain structure. BTW- This combo sound pretty good! Now the Math Question- What is the relationship between cartridge output and db gain? Specifically how high of a cartridge output would I need to run into the Steelhead MM section set a 65db gain to realize 80+db of total gain, so as to have enough gain to drive the amps directly??? Hopefully I have not oversimplified this equation because of a lack of information.