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Low output moving coil cartridge

I have been wanting to try a low output moving coil cartridge so I just made a purchase. I have an Audio Research SP14 pre with a built in phono stage. I am currently using a cartridge with an output of .5mv and the highest volume level I ever needed is around 12;00- 1;00 position. The cartridge I just purchased has an output of .28mv. The current amp I am using is rated at 30 wpc driving my Klipshorns. I also have an Audio Research 60 wpc amp. My question is, do you think I can substitute the extra power from the ARC to make up for the lower cartridge output? By the way, Klipsch states 100 watt RMS on their Khorns.
markpao
johnbrown
195 posts
 
What's relevant in your situation is not the power rating of your amp, but the gain of your phono stage. A quick look seemed to show 66db gain, which is plenty for that cart. Should be no problem.
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
I'm using a similar low output MC cart (Denon 103R) with an ARC sp16. I tested without one at first but a step up device was required to get to proper levels with low background noise with the sp16.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Mapman-your cart output may be similar, but another quick search shows the SP-16 with a 55db phono stage gain. i.e., your preamp is different than the OP's, at least in regard to the gain at the phono stage. I have a lot of experience with the D103 variants with many phono stages, and it's true that 55db is marginal-though workable. 66db, however, is fine and jim-dandy, and I'd wager the OP will have no issues.
depotec
19 posts
 
Johnbrown, what phono stages have you used for your DL-103?
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Johnbrown,

I agree 66db should work pretty well. Thanks for pointing that out!
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