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Low output MC to match my phono stage

Greetings,

I am in the market for a new cartridge and am considering trying out a low output MC. However, I don't know what output level I should look for so as to match my current phono stage.

I am currently using the phono stage on my Plinius 8200 MkII, and I am not interested in replacing it. The low gain setting is 1.5 mV RMS. The high gain setting is 0.75 mV RMS. The input impedance is 47kOhms.

To date, I have only used MM cartridges and a Dynavector 10x5 (high output MC). I am considering a Benz ACE, a Denon 103R, and another Dynavector. Do I absolutely need a step-up transformer if I go with the Denon? (If so, I can't afford more than the entry-level Denon.) Would I be better off with the medium output ACE?

I would be using the cartridge with my Rega P5. Presence and musicality are extremely important to me, yet I am on limited funds.
episteme
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
Shouldn't this read:

The low gain setting is (FOR) 1.5 mV RMS (OUTPUT CARTRIDGES). The high gain setting is (FOR) 0.75 mV RMS (OUTPUT CARTRIDGES)?

I ask because "gain" is usually expressed in dB (decibels).

Anyway, .75mV output would be considered a medium output moving coil cartridge (low output would be .2mV - .4mV) Set to hi gain, your phono preamp section would probably handle a van den Hul Frog (.6mV) or Frog Gold (.85mV) and probably many other brands in that output range. You can look up specs at: www.cartridgedb.com

You will also have to add additional load resistors in parallel to the 47K ohm default impedance of your preamp's phono stage, in order to reduce it to the proper load for a moving coil cartridge (usually somewhere between 100 ohms and 2000 ohms) Your Plinius probably has a place inside the chassis where you can add these resistors. Check with the manufacturer.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I believe the Plinius has internal dip switches for adjusting phono input impedance. Check your manual.

Also, double check the sensitivity/gain language that Nsgarch questioned. No point giving advice until we're sure what your Plinius is capable of.
episteme OP
55 posts
 
Thanks for the help thus far. Nsgarch, I believe you are right. This is how I should make sense of it. The manual states:

"INPUT SENSITIVITY: 300 mV RMS for rated output at 1kHz. 1.5 mV RMS on Phono low gain setting. 0.75 mV RMS on Phono high gain setting."

That is it. Nothing in the manual mentions user-adjustable phono input impedance. Just that I can switch it from high gain to low gain. I'll send off an email to see what the impedance is on the low gain setting.

Thanks again for the help thus far.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
Episteme -- for the LO gain (MM) setting, the built-in load is most likely 47K. What you really want to know is what the default load is for the HI gain setting (it might also be 47K) and you want to know how to modify it.
episteme OP
55 posts
 
Nsgarch -- Right, thanks. Got that mixed up. I actually posed the question correctly (!) to Plinius. We'll see what they say...
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