Doge 8 Clarity 2021 Phono settings

shamblinb

To achieve the same volume level as the LP at around 9, I have to turn the Clarity up to about 12.

That’s not unusual, and with many components you’ll get lower distortion as you open up the volume control.

And it sounds like something isn’t quite right with the gain.

What do you mean "not right"?

Thank you for the assistance. The sound is flat and not as dynamic & detailed compared to my Doge 8 LP; turning up the volume as loud as I have to, there is an audible hum that I don't hear with the LP.  I was hoping this could be resolved with the phono stage settings...

Well, I solved the hum, it was a grounding issue.  I am still having gain issues, could be my cartridge is too low for the MM stage.  Does anyone happen to know what the gain is on the MM and MC stages?  The only thing I've been able to find is the recommended outputs for cartridges on the Doge website: 

Can you tell me more about the ground 

And what you did to resolve it. My Doge 8 has always 

had a hum. 

I popped the top off and noticed there was a cable on the inside of the grounding bolt that wasn't secure.  I adjusted and tightened this cable connection, and that solved the hum issue.  My older Doge 8 LP does not have this ground connection on the inside.

FYI -  I eventually solved the gain issue with the MC settings, however I ended up adding an outboard phono stage anyway, the Hagerman Trumpet MC.  It uses 4 12AX7s and 2 12AU7s, so I could continue using my NOS Mazda silver plate tubes.  The onboard phono stage is very good considering, but the Hagerman sounds superior to my ears in my system.