Cartridge Output

Hi Axel,

I'd expect that typically a 60db phono stage with a unity gain (0db) line stage would do better with a lomc than a 40 + 20. The 60db stage would figure to have better signal-to-noise ratio than the 40db stage, since it is designed and intended for use with lower level inputs.

Also, perhaps your power amp has greater than average sensitivity.

Best regards,
-- Al

Hi Al,
not my enquiry as it is.
But I use right now 40dB (60dB is jumper option) on phono-boards with 18dB line-pre input gain of my ML326S.

This works very well with 5mV MM cart (Empire S1000, Shure V15, EEI 500, P77, etc.)

Otherwise I use 60dB phono with 18dB line-pre and any 0.3mV MC cart, which also works fine.

Lastly 60dB phono and 0dB line-pre is good with 5mV MM cart too.

ML326S has >90dB SN which is rather quiet, yes.

So, maybe some other gear is asking for different cart outputs. I did use 0.6mV LOMC, 1.5mV HIMC, etc.

Maybe my gear is not the right stuff to make a recommendation, too flexible?

Axel
PS: ML settings are 0, +6, +12, +18dB line-pre input gain before it gets to the volume control adding the usual ~ 20 dB (balls to the wall) but I never go much past 1/2 of that.

Axel, when you mentioned you had gain options on your phono board and then I saw 326s, I had to ask myself if you had the owner's manual; because basically, with a tasty preamp like a 326s, you can use any bloody cartridge you please. I have a 26s pre + 25s phono pre -- almost as versatile as yours, definitely as quiet, which means you can use a very low output MC if you like, and get all the benefits thereof without worrying about the noise floor. AFAIC, the only SS phono stage that can beat yours or mine is the Vendetta Research SCP-2 by John Curl (whose DNA is also in the Levinson phono pre's BTW), and you're likely to see a Sasquatch before you see one of those! There's a really great old article on JC and the SCP-2 here:
http://www.stereophile.com/phonopreamps/640/index.html

Ok guys sorry about the confusion, here is something from the Rogue website.

frequency response: 1Hz-200KHz ± 1dB
- THD: <0.1%
- gain: line stage: 23dB
- gain - mm phono: 65dB
- gain - mc phono: 75dB
- RIAA accuracy: ± 0.1dB
- rated output: 1.5V
- maximum output: 30V PP
- output impedance: 350 Ohms

Hi Nsgarch, it's NOT my enquiry, as I said on top to Al also, :-)

I know what **I** can use, but it's Jsman that asked the question.
Now before I say, go back to my first recommendations, you should have noticed I did NOT mention any HIMC...

Let's get Al to comment, as he had a point to make about SN (signal/noise) considerations. With >90dB on my rig its not an issue, so let's see what he will suggest with those figures.
(In fact, other than SN, you can use practically any cart LOMC from 0.3mV , and if you like a good MM, as Raul recommends, 3.5mV - 5mV --- it's what I mentioned in the first place).
Axel