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Do I need a sut?

I purchased an Ortofon MC2000 cart from a fellow A'Goner, it is very low output .05mV, my phono pre is a Herron VTPH-2 which has 69db of gain and my pre is a Herron VTSP-3a(r02) 14db gain.
The cart sounds wonderful, but with such a low gain I have to turn up the volume by quite a lot. If I had, another source at that volume, I wouldn't be able to stand it. With the volume turned up so high I get a fair amount of noise between tracks. 
Should I be looking at an sut or just live with it the way it is? I found an Ortofon at a decent price, it has 24db of gain. Would that be ok to go into the mc input on the VTPH-2? The mm gain is 48db, if I plugged it in there I would only gain 3db(if I'm doing my math correctly) I will also be contacting Keith, but I thought I would ask here too.
Thanks
Jeff
jdodmead
analogluvr
800 posts
 
That's what Raul does. Apparently him and a friend came up with a solid-state phonostage so now all tubes are crap and backwards technology.  He focusses on the fact that the specifications of solid-state are better than Tubes regarding frequency response and distortion but conveniently ignores the fact that the ear hears different distortions differently.  
He is  probably one of the, if not the most annoying opinionated individuals on this forum. 
rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @folkfreak : No single problem with you or your system, I was only trying to help for its quality level performance be better if any.

You are rigth and my apologies to talk about in a public forum. I'm sorry for that, my fault because I took in count only what I was thinking with out take in count your legitimate side.

I know you are a decent, honest and mature human been and a true audiophile and music lover.   

Again very sorry to disturb you in that way.

Sincerely,
R.


browndt
83 posts
 
I have a Bob's devices 115/130 passive SUT running into the Herron VTPH-2 from a VPI Prime Signature with a Van den Hul
Stradivarius cartridge (.38mv) and it sounds terrific at 1.15 step up.
If you want talk with someone who KNOWS about SUT's talk with Bob at Bob's devices. He can be very precise about what will work with your cartridge and system.

I have no business connection with Bob or Bob's devices. I do own one.

jdodmead OP
241 posts
 
Thought I would put out an update. I put it the FR XG-5 and it didn't stay in long, the noise was increased dramatically.  Then I put in 4 Telefunken 12AX7 tubes which raised the gain on the phono pre and it did reduce the noise by quite a bit. Then I had a discussion with Keith Herron, he said he could increase the gain in the phono pre with some FETs, but wasn't a proponent of doing that. He suggested that I try rolling some 12ax7 tubes to see if I could come across with some that worked better. So I did some research and found some info that Gold Lions had higher gain and were still very quiet. So I just received a quad that I purchased on E-Bay, listening to them now and the noise is reduced to where it's almost unnoticeable. no worse than a noisy record. Granted they're brand new and we'll see when they see some wear, but right now things are sounding great.
I really appreciate the input from everyone.
Jeff
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