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New cart, step-up or ???

Just got a Hagerman Trumpet to go with a Joule LA-100MKIII I recently acquired. Analog front end is Benz Glider L2 (0.25mv)/OL Silver/SOTA Star Saphirre. The Trumpet has 44 dB gain, the Joule 11 dB. I have run it as is, and the volume is fine at about 11:30-12:30 rotation on the Joule. Hagerman recommends his 20 dB step-up instead of his additional gain stage; or I could stand pat, or I could go to a new, mid output MC. Recommendations?? If a new cart is in the offing, what is a good match. Price of the step up is $850, addntl gain stage $500 plus 2 way shipping, cart would be less salvage value of near new Benz ($300 +/-?) What say you, analog gurus? TIA
swampwalker
rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Swampwalker: Stay away of step-up transformers, always do a heavy degratdation to the music/sound reproduction.

++++ "and the volume is fine at about 11:30-12:30 .."++++

If you don't have any compliant about and you don't have residual hum/noise, then you do nothing.

Now, you can up-grade the quality sound reproduction of your system, change your cartridge for a Sumiko Celebration ( output: 0.5mv ), this one will be great in you analog rig and the whole system, better than any Shelther ( but the 90X ). Btw, the Celebration is the century bargain: great performer.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
david12
1,398 posts
 
funny the same questions recur, I have a thread running now on the same subject, with the same mixed response. Some say having the dial at 12 does'nt matter and adding a step up will degrade the sound, others that the phono stage gain is inadequate and a step up will improve "life" and dynamics. it's a pity most questions are'nt staightforward, then if they were we would'nt need to ask them I suppose
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I think that the answers are really system and listener dependent. Some can put up with a bit of noise, some can't. Some will trade a bit of transparency for enhanced dynamic contrasts, some won't. Some gear works better with transformers and certain cartridges, some don't. Like a warped record, round 'n round, and up 'n down we go.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker OP
5,132 posts
 
the variable responses I have read made me ask this question with a third option- which I am now getting some support for- getting a higher output MC cart. The Glider is pretty new, not more than 100 hrs since it was re-tipped. Anyone got any idea on the re-sale value? Then if you add in the $500 that it would cost to have Hagerman mod the Trumpet phono to provide proper gain for an MC stage or the cost of a good transformer, give me some suggestions for a cart. Pretty please? If I go to NYC, maybe I can listen to some of them.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker OP
5,132 posts
 
Also just saw a Denon 500 something or other head amp with 26 & 33 dB voltage gain for $215. any thoughts?
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