Not only will a .25 mV cartridge work with 62 db of gain, it has worked optimally in my experience with 2 different cartridges and two different phono stages, neither of which were KAB phono preamps, for me over the past 5-6 years.
My previous cartridge was an Ortofon MC 20 Super with an output of .25 mV and it worked perfectly with 62 db of gain into a 100 ohm load using a modified DB Systems phono preamp (modified to give 62 db of gain) into a line input on an Audiolab 8000A.
I've also used (and am currently using) Denon 103R's which are rated at .25 mV into that phono stage as well as an Aqvox phono stage into the Audiolab mentioned above as well as a Jungson JA 88C integrated.
Both of the 103R's I've used in the past 4 years have come with individual spec sheets indicating slightly higher output than normal specification. One with about .29 mV and the other had .30 mV.
My Aqvox has variable gain on the balanced inputs between 60 and 75 db and I've run both of the above Denon 103R's at the lowest gain setting. In other words 60 db. Going higher is as simple as turning the gain pots on the front of the unit and I've done it.
Those cartridges work best in my system with 60 db of gain, not any more.
Too much gain (and not enough gain, for that matter) is not a good thing.
My previous cartridge was an Ortofon MC 20 Super with an output of .25 mV and it worked perfectly with 62 db of gain into a 100 ohm load using a modified DB Systems phono preamp (modified to give 62 db of gain) into a line input on an Audiolab 8000A.
I've also used (and am currently using) Denon 103R's which are rated at .25 mV into that phono stage as well as an Aqvox phono stage into the Audiolab mentioned above as well as a Jungson JA 88C integrated.
Both of the 103R's I've used in the past 4 years have come with individual spec sheets indicating slightly higher output than normal specification. One with about .29 mV and the other had .30 mV.
My Aqvox has variable gain on the balanced inputs between 60 and 75 db and I've run both of the above Denon 103R's at the lowest gain setting. In other words 60 db. Going higher is as simple as turning the gain pots on the front of the unit and I've done it.
Those cartridges work best in my system with 60 db of gain, not any more.
Too much gain (and not enough gain, for that matter) is not a good thing.