Low output moving coil cartridge

I agree with 'Almarg', but will make one more point, or maybe try to clarify: many phono pre stages have adjustable gain in order to more closely match a given cartridge's output to volume attenuation. Since, as a general rule, the noise floor will increase the higher the output gain, it's best to keep the output gain as low as possible while still having acceptable attenuation at the preamp (of course, phono preamps will vary as to their noise floor at similar gain levels-some very quiet, some....not so much).

Since the gain at your stage is set, your noise floor will not change from cart to cart-though, as 'Almarg' says, audible "hiss" may increase the further you turn the volume knob. You can try it right now-with no input from your tt, turn the volume knob to '12', listen for noise, now try it at higher volume levels. I'm wagering that you'll hear very little difference, and as 'Almag' said in his initial post, you won't need much more 'volume' to make up for the new cart's lower gain. Therefore, since I'm assuming that there's a (presumably sonic) reason that you're using the smaller amp, you should be fine with it's continued use.

Of course, all of this is academic, since you can simply insert the higher powered amp into your system and compare for yourself. Let us know what you come up with.

Wow, thanks again guy's. You summed it up pretty good as I think I understand it now (for the most part). Johnbrown, yes I would prefer the lower wattage amp if I can get away with it. I did turn the volume up to max- of coarse with the arm resting in holder- and I hear no hiss or noise so hopefully this will work out.The only reason for not switching to the other amp right now is purely out of laziness, however I will be doing extensive comparisons as soon as the new cart gets here. I also have a 2nd armtube on the way so I will be able to compare carts pretty fast.

Hi

I had a similar if not exactly the same situation years back. The answer was a phono stage that has a gain of up to 70dB. My Dynavector XX2 at the time needed 65dB to get my system working correctly so I would get the extremely low noise and a normal 10-11 o'clock listening level on the volume pot. My Koetsu Red was 0.6mV and needed just 60dB to get the same. The preamp I had was also tube based then BUT just did not have sufficient gain in the MC section to handle a low output MC.

Change to a good out board phonostage.

regards Rob.