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MacCormack Upgrades from SMc Audio?

Hi all, My Phono Pre-Amp is a MacCormack Micro Phono Drive bought back around '96.

Just doing some surfing today, I stumbled upon Steve MacCormack's site, and see that he lists two upgrade revisions for the Micro Phono Drive, and also produces a better outboard Power Supply versus the original Wall Wart that came with the unit.

From the sound of his description, his better revision B upgrade essentially replaces just about every component in the unit, going to better Burr-Brown Op Amps, trimmed RIAA Stage, Vishay components, etc, etc. The cost of this upgrade is said to be $500, and this was actually what I paid for this unit new when I bought it.

Also, the Outboard power Supply costs $275, WBT RCA's another $60 Whattya think?
markd51
stevemcx
159 posts
 
Hi again, Mark -

No problem with using the High-gain setting if you are not running into overload problems - go ahead and use the setting you like best. One thing you might try is loading your Glider with something below the standard 47KOhm input load. You could try loading resistors in the 10K / 5K / 1K range, for instance. It is possible that you might find an input load that will reduce the drive level slightly and improve the sound quality. See what you think.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
www.SMcAudio.com
swampwalker's avatar
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swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
IME, there is no question that lower loading will improve the sound of Glider carts.
markd51 OP
741 posts
 
I'll have to give this a try. I know I have the 3 sets of resistors still that was originally supplied with the Unit. Just hope that the paperwork is with it, so I can identify which was which.

Guess the most important thing is to make sure I match the pairs that I throw in, as it takes two of the same value to be installed.

From what I remember from the instructions, two would be inserted into thier respective "ports" I'll call them, by bending the wire ends, making the resistors's wires look like little a little "U" and inserting them.

What should I expect with the values that Steve has mentioned eralier?
Better restraint?, smoother sound? Or?

I'll report back when I have more. Thanks, Mark
markd51 OP
741 posts
 
Hi Again, So what would you folks feel would be the best loading for my original Hi-Output Glider with AQ PT-6 Arm?

I read mention of a general practice of loading to 25 times that of the Internal resistance? Does this mean the Cartridge's Internal Impedance? If so, My Glider is listed at 85 Ohms Internal Impedance, in which number I come up with is 2125?.

Thier recommended loading is very vague, from 1000-47,000 Ohms. What would be the best place to start with this MC? Mark
markd51 OP
741 posts
 
I'm thinking my suspicions, and computations are correct, and that approximately 22K would be a good place to start with the Glider?
I may not have the correct resistors then in this case, and might need to buy them? Where can I buy these Caddock resistors from? What do I ask for? Sorry for the dumb questions! lol Mark
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