Phono Preamp - which Model should I use if required

[manniraj]

What cartridge are you using? If your TT has a cart with low gain, this may happen

I think it is with the stock cartridge Classic 700. Its in very good condition and plays/sounds very nice.

 

[manniraj]

Check if your Amp has an individual gain setting for each input.If yes you set a higher gain setting for the phono input so that you do not have to crank up the volume control.

My Denon 510AE amplifier does not have this individual gain setting. I believe it is a basic amplifier with an inbuilt phono stage. Anyway I got the kit from Sachin and planning to build the CNC.

 

[sachu888]

I think it is with the stock cartridge Classic 700. Its in very good condition and plays/sounds very nice.

The output of Classic 700 is very low(2mv?).Most of the MM carts have output of 4mv or more.You will need to crank the volume little more even if you use CNC or any other outboard Phonostage.
You can replace 2X150R resisters with 100 R in CNC for more gain,but first try it on stock gain.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[AmitKumar]

I think it is with the stock cartridge Classic 700. Its in very good condition and plays/sounds very nice.

I think you might need to change the cart.

 

[manniraj]

I think you might need to change the cart.

Oh yes I have given a wish list to my brother to get me a Shure M44-7 along with some other items for this years Thanks giving day :licklips:, and send it along with one of his friend if somebody is travelling back from US. But that may take sometime as he is not travelling for another couple of years and not sure if somebody else is travelling back to India.

 

[manniraj]

The output of Classic 700 is very low(2mv?).Most of the MM carts have output of 4mv or more.You will need to crank the volume little more even if you use CNC or any other outboard Phonostage.
You can replace 2X150R resisters with 100 R in CNC for more gain,but first try it on stock gain.

Regards,
Sachin

Sure Sachin will try with the stock and see if it satisfies me or else as per your suggestion will go with 100 R resistors.

 

[AmitKumar]

Oh yes I have given a wish list to my brother to get me a Shure M44-7 along with some other items for this years Thanks giving day :licklips:, and send it along with one of his friend if somebody is travelling back from US. But that may take sometime as he is not travelling for another couple of years and not sure if somebody else is travelling back to India.

recently there was a discussion on a model of audio technica available through one india site, i think the model is 92ECD, you can try the same.
I read somewhere forum members giving positve feedback on the same.

 

[Selvin]

The output of Classic 700 is very low(2mv?).Most of the MM carts have output of 4mv or more.You will need to crank the volume little more even if you use CNC or any other outboard Phonostage.
You can replace 2X150R resisters with 100 R in CNC for more gain,but first try it on stock gain.

Regards,
Sachin

My turntable also with Classic 700 Cartridge. I don't know the output of this cartridge. But I tried with a brand new Audio Technica AT95 which is a 3.5mV output cartridge. For my ears no difference in sound level. Intresting is Classic 700 playing much musical than AT95. No need to under estimate Classic 700.

 

[sachu888]

My turntable also with Classic 700 Cartridge. I don't know the output of this cartridge. But I tried with a brand new Audio Technica AT95 which is a 3.5mV output cartridge. For my ears no difference in sound level. Intresting is Classic 700 playing much musical than AT95. No need to under estimate Classic 700.

I have also used Classic 700 cart.I still have it with broken stylus.The output is certainly low,compared with Ortofon OM10,Shure M97xe and At 15ea(all are 4Mv).
It was a nice cart though.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[manniraj]

My turntable also with Classic 700 Cartridge. I don't know the output of this cartridge. But I tried with a brand new Audio Technica AT95 which is a 3.5mV output cartridge. For my ears no difference in sound level. Intresting is Classic 700 playing much musical than AT95. No need to under estimate Classic 700.

Yes very interesting even I felt the same that the stock cartridge is playing fine but with very low volume gain which I think the CNC should at least solve to some extent.

 

[sachu888]

Oh yes I have given a wish list to my brother to get me a Shure M44-7 along with some other items for this years Thanks giving day :licklips:, and send it along with one of his friend if somebody is travelling back from US. But that may take sometime as he is not travelling for another couple of years and not sure if somebody else is travelling back to India.

There are better carts(IMHO) available,try Ortofon OM10.It will suit better with low mass tonearm of your TT.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[manniraj]

There are better carts(IMHO) available,try Ortofon OM10.It will suit better with low mass tonearm of your TT.

Regards,
Sachin

Thanks Sachin, will look into that option as well.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Thanks.

No there is no distortion,no noise if I crank up the volume.nit sounds absolutely perfect.

But I have a psychological issue ...

You should get over it and save yourself a packet . ...

Absolutely. Especially if you are happy with the sound --- which is going to change (maybe for the better, or maybe not) if you change anything else.

Digital-controlled amps may have some level setting for each input so the volume control does not have to be touched. Come to think of it, my touch-control Sony amp did, and that is going back almost twenty years, so nothing new. My Cyrus does --- but even back in the the day when I had four, five, or more, sources, I don't think I much bothered with it.

If you are happy with the sound, be happy ...and work that volume knob, telling yourself, simply, that's what it is for!.

 

[jay]

Absolutely. Especially if you are happy with the sound --- which is going to change (maybe for the better, or maybe not) if you change anything else.

Digital-controlled amps may have some level setting for each input so the volume control does not have to be touched. Come to think of it, my touch-control Sony amp did, and that is going back almost twenty years, so nothing new. My Cyrus does --- but even back in the the day when I had four, five, or more, sources, I don't think I much bothered with it.

If you are happy with the sound, be happy ...and work that volume knob, telling yourself, simply, that's what it is for!.

Thanks for the same.

 

[jay]

Yes very interesting even I felt the same that the stock cartridge is playing fine but with very low volume gain which I think the CNC should at least solve to some extent.

I think you should look into the TT also which you are using as Philips 242 is a very basic model.In my opinion a Shure cartridge M44-7 will be a waste with this TT.If possible upgrade the TT 1st.

 

[sachu888]

I think you should look into the TT also which you are using as Philips 242 is a very basic model.In my opinion a Shure cartridge M44-7 will be a waste with this TT.If possible upgrade the TT 1st.

Phillips 242 is a decent TT IMHO. AR XA TTs have same motor IIRC.It needs to be paired with high compliance cart.Shure M-44 is not a high end cart by any means.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[jay]

Phillips 242 is a decent TT IMHO. AR XA TTs have same motor IIRC.It needs to be paired with high compliance cart.Shure M-44 is not a high end cart by any means.

Regards,
Sachin

But what I get to know is that 242 is an entry level TT. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[manniraj]

I think you should look into the TT also which you are using as Philips 242 is a very basic model.In my opinion a Shure cartridge M44-7 will be a waste with this TT.If possible upgrade the TT 1st.

As it is my first TT I cannot compare with any but the condition in which I got it from Shafic is superb and also its playing fine. It is very heavy with a teakwood plinth and rock solid condition. In fact my friends when they heard it (its a first time they are hearing a TT) said that it plays far better than a dedicated CD player. So I am going to keep this TT but will look at changing the cart may be later after I get my CNC done.

Thanks

 

[sachu888]

But what I get to know is that 242 is an entry level TT. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Some say Technics 1210 is an entry level TT(I don't agree).Different people have different perceptions.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[manniraj]

I would say that the usage of the word "Entry level" is in the mindset. There is nothing like entry level or mid or high as long as it satisfies your needs. If it satisfies then this is the ultimate level :yahoo: