Advice on next step for vinyl chain


Hi everyone. I have been listening to digital and working on my digital setup for a few years now. Recently I inherited an old Kenwood turntable and I have a pretty large record collection from earlier years. I have been trying to set up a vinyl chain. It has been a real joy - even liked the pops and scratches at first. Can I ask some advice about cartridge choice, or even whether a new cartridge is the way to go? The current chain is: Kenwood KD-5070, Ortofon Blue MM cartridge, Parasound JC3+ phono pre, ARC LS25 II preamp, McIntosh MC 462 power amp, either B and W 803 matrix II or Celestion 700 speakers. The B annd W are a bit sharp and fatiguing, so I will be looking to switch to other speakers before long, something with the upper end of the Celestions but with bass (Harbeth?). I listen to big classical, chamber, classic rock, jazz, opera…

The gain on the vinyl chain is high. Have to keep the pre almost all the way down. The ARC is marginally better than using a passive pre. Thinking a moving coil would be a real improvement. Is that the way to go? Which cartridge would be a match? Thanks a lot for your help. 

arhgef

Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

the cartridge output is high, 5.5mv.

the pre has 48db gain for MM

are you using XLR or RCA? Some XLR outputs are stronger than the RCA output, perhaps the RCA output would tame it some.

 

Connections and Cartridge Loading

The JC 3+ is a dual mono design with unbalanced inputs and outputs using Vampire RCA jacks, plus balanced outputs using Neutrik XLR jacks. A custom-made three-position input impedance switch provides for 47 k ohm MM cartridges, 100 ohm MC cartridges, and 47 k ohm MC. The latter is an ideal load for some MC cartridges and high-end moving iron cartridges."

 

Like you, I don't see a way to adjust arm height (which is how you adjust VTA). But, it's a nice TT.

When the stylus is down in the groove, IF the arm is parallel to the LP, that's generally good enough.

Cartridge body height/stylus suspension, can vary,

IF the arm slopes down at the front, shims can be used to lower the cartridge/raise the arm.

IF arm is high in the front, you can try to find a cartridge with smaller (total) playing height.

total height varies because some stylus/suspension combinations are 'low riders', the stylus just below the cartridge's body, little clearance; others, the stylus/suspension has more clearance while playing. 

Cartridge height variations are a big reason to have easy arm height adjustment. 

IMPEDANCE of MC Cartridges are not absolute, but there are guidance formulas and Maker's recommendations.

ANY MC Cartridge: do the math, i.e.

Hana before you choose between the ML and the SL

ML, slightly lower signal strength 0.4mv; much lower coil impedance 7 ohms; HANA recommended load more than 100 ohms. A bit lower would be ok, i.e. 70 ohms

Hana SL, slightly higher 0.5 mv signal; much higher coil impedance 30 ohms; HANA recommended load more than 400 ohms, a bit lower 300 ohms would be ok.

a SUT, best, one with separate adjustments for signal strength and impedance would be good, you could get a lower signal strength and the proper impedance.

You could use the SUT output with your existing MM Phono Input, where the RIAA EQ takes place.

And you would be set for future cartridge choices.

xFactors (signal increase) (you want a lower signal increase to use your existing chain)

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existing 5.5mv is too high (unless you change your Phono Stage)

Hana ML: 0.4 mv: if xFactor is 10 (+20db), signal is 4.0 mv

Hana SL, 0.5 mv, if xFactor is 8, (+18db) signal is 4.0 mv

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example of why separate adjustments for signal strength and impedance is advantageous:

My Fidelity Research has 4 optional choices, lowest is 10.55 xFactor; however the impedance is directly related to the xFactor and is 423 ohms.

Hana SL 0.5mv x 10.55 = 5.28 mv, too high for your existing set up, 423 impedance is good.

If ML, 0.4mv x 10.55 = 4.22 mv, a bit lower, perhaps low enough GOOD, BUT, the impedance is 423, much higher than recommended 100 ohms

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Ortofon T30 SUT has 5 options, the results are like mine, none have proper combo of gain and impedance.