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step up transformer for clearaudio

I have a clearaudio concerto cart with a balance phono stage. It is a dedicated mc only phono stage. Is it safe for me to use a step up transformer without overloading the phono stage? I have tried the ortofon verto with great results but i dont want to continue using it unless im sure it is safe from overloading.
csr827
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I use a Bob's Devices SUT ahead of a Blue Circle 707 with both set to high gain with no problems using Denon 304 and 103.
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rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Csr827: You say that own a dedicated MC phono stage: why do you want to pass the cartridge signal for and additional stage ( SUT ) when any additional stage can add distortions/noise/colorations degrading the cartridge signal? is something wrong with your MC phono stage?

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
axelwahl
788 posts
 
With the low setting of the Verto (24db) and the 0.8mV output of your cart, I dare say you are pushing the envelope by inputting ~ 12mV into your phono-pre.

A ~normal overload spec for a 60db MC phono-pre is seldom >10mV, after which there would occur some overload.

Your phono-pre might be of slightly higher spec. and this is why it may still work and sound good.
If you go into over-load you would start to hear some distortion.
If you never hear any distortion and like the cart with SUT --- don't worry, be happy, I say.
Axel
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