Cartridge advice Classic I from BRAZIL


Hello guys!

I`m from Brazil but currently am in the USA, doing part of my Ph.D. at University of Florida. Luckily I have just bought a used VPI Classic Ion ebay, which I`m taking to Brazil when I finish my study here. It has already arrived in my house and it`s overall condition is better than I expected. I`m very happy and anxious to set it up on my system.

My doubt is what cartridge to buy now. My budget is not much (U$ 3-500), since I`ve spent a lot with the TT. I`m also considering buying a used cartridge, if a good deal show up. I listen mostly to Classic Rock, Jazz, Classical, Acoustics.

The rest of my system is:

Pre: Conrad Johnson Premier 3
Power: CJ MV55
Speakers: Sound Dynamics 300 Ti

About my pre, I also have a question: On CJ web site (http://www.conradjohnson.com/It_just_sounds_right/a-pr3.html) it says that the gain of the phono stage is 40 dB and the gain of the line stage is 28 dB. So the total gain when I use the phono input of this pre is 68 dB? It`s kind of high for an all tube pre, isn`t it? What`s the minimum cartridge output I can use, with that in mind?

I aprecciate any response that will help me.
pedrod45
I'm pretty sure , and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, the phono stage gain on the CR is 40 db. Other source components CD, etc. are 28 db. With that in mind I'd recommend a Dynavector 10x5. It's within your budget ($450.00) and is high output. Not too familiar with the CR, but if the phono stage is MM only with no load options the Dynavector will load at 47k ohms. You should be fine with that and the 40db gain.
Shure M97XE $90.00 and a Jico SAS $170.00 and keep the rest of the money for school. I use one on my Aries 3/Classic 3 tonearm and will probably have to spend over $1000.00 usd to better it in my system. (Also CJ based.) On my other tonearm (Classic 1) I have a Goldring GL2500. I also have a Soundsmith Carmen, Dynavector DV10X5, Shure V15V/MR etc etc.

M~
Thanx for the support. I`ll take a look at this two optinos. About the gain of the pre, I`m still not shure if it`s 40 or 68 dB.

Hope someone else can give more advices. Sory for the poor english guys. I`ve been here in US for 4 weeks only.
No problem....The gain of the phono inputs on the pre amp is 40 db. only. All the other inputs for a CD Player, tape player etc are 28 db. So you only have 40db available for the turntable/cartridge.
"No problem....The gain of the phono inputs on the pre amp is 40 db. only. All the other inputs for a CD Player, tape player etc are 28 db. So you only have 40db available for the turntable/cartridge."

Thank you MJm1124, but I`ve sent an email to Conrad Johnson asking the same quastion about the gain of the phono input, and is what they`ve just answered:

"Pedro,

The total gain for phono input is the sum of the phono stage gain plus the line-stage gain.

regards,
customer service"

Now I`m really confused with that, since I alson think that 68 dB is quite a high gain for a all tube pre.

Hope someone else can opine about that.

Thank you!