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Does it improve the sound of a MM or MI cartridge by playing it through a phono stage?

I've been hearing about these old inexpensive Japanese cartridges getting rave reviews and I was wondering if they sound better if played through a phono stage as MCs do. Of course this would be at the standard 47K ohms load.

I have an Acutex LPM 412STR with the original and replacement stylus and would like to know how it would sound best. It was inexpensive (a long time ago), but might be an interim option if I have to get my regular cartridge serviced. I upgraded it about 9 years ago to a Van den hul One Special and thought the VDH was much better sounding with a Rega P5 played through the phono section of a Plinius 8200MKII integrated amp. Since then, I purchased a Sutherland Insight phono stage that has settings for the VDH (200 ohms) and a 47K ohm load for the Acutex, along with 3 or 4 others.
sokogear

Showing 1 response by petg60

petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
some in built phono sections in preamps and integrated amps of the 70's-80's-90's are quite nice and may outperform sonically some of todays stand alone phono stages.
The Acutex has a 3,5mv output so it should be connected to mm input, if you do to want to overload your amp.
But you have to listen yourself between the Sutherland and Plinius to decide which sounds better.
 
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